The Land’s Memory of Two Millenia of Rice Farming
A decorated tomb that acts as a representative of the Kikuchi River Basin's ancient culture. Within the 1500-year-old tomb, vividly colored images are depicted. Among these, the Chibusan Tomb is particularly well-preserved, and visitors may tour the inside on almost any day.
A walking tour in which storekeepers will take you on a "rice"-themed tour around a tasteful townscape that remains on the Buzen Kaido and Soumon District. Tons of things to see, including temples, senbei cracker stores, sake breweries that have existed since the Meiji period, and koji mold shops that have been in business for 185 years. Amazake and Japanese sake taste-testing also available.
Established in 1910, the Yachiyoza Theater served as a theater for bringing liveliness into Yamaga. However, as patrons declined with the changing of eras, the theater once was on the verge of being destroyed, but through 30 years of reconstruction and revival projects by the citizens of Yamaga, today it has regained its former glory. On days with no performances, visitors may tour the inside of the theater (for a fee).
A store where you can enjoy cuisine made with local ingredients. The store's name of 'Sankira' is imbued with feelings of 'Come home to Yamaga.' For first-time visitors to Yamaga, this shop might make you feel like saying 'I'm home.'
Located near Kikuchi City's Ryumon Dam is the "Mori-no-ajidokoro Nakamura", standing quietly amidst the forest.Here you can enjoy local cuisine made with mountain vegetables picked in the mountains and home-grown shiitake and nameko mushrooms. People say that you're missing out if you don't try the 'Namekodagojiru Teishoku!' Be sure to try some!
The Kikuchi Gorge is located in a corner of Aso Kuju National Park; this valley is one of Western Japan's most scenic locations, having even been selected for the '100 Best Waters of Japan.' Visitors to the valley can enjoy a variety of seasonal scenery: vibrant greenery in spring, clear streams that are even referred to as 'natural coolers' in summer, vivid autumn leaves, and a silvery white world of frozen trees in winter. Entry was previously prohibited due to the Kumamoto Earthquake, but as of March 24th 2018 it has been reopened.
The Ooba Dam is located downstream of the Kikuchi River; the crystal clear emerald green waters of this dam will refresh your spirit. Further down along the Kikuchi River from the Ooba Dam is the Senjo Riverbed, which is lively with people who come to play in the river during the summer.
A cultural exchange center established inside a middle school that was closed in 2000. Within the nostalgic wooden school building, visitors can experience a variety of programs, including 'taketonbo' toymaking, local cuisine cooking, and rice made using a hearth.
Kayak down the lazy current of a farm-use waterway (ide) in an area near the river source. Enjoy leisurely passing the time while your spirit is healed and relaxed as you listen to the babbling of the clear waters. The occasional fast current and pitch-black waterway tunnels provide thrills unmatched even by rollercoasters. We urge you to try this summer-limited adventure in Kikuchi.
