구마모토 여행 EP.2: 일본 구마모토 후편, 여긴 꼭 가야 해?! 초록 초원부터 활화산까지 🌋

구마모토 여행 EP.2: 일본 구마모토 후편, 여긴 꼭 가야 해?! 초록 초원부터 활화산까지 🌋

Now, let’s get closer to the central area of Mt. Aso. The long stretch of mountains, and the cows grazing on the grass— driving down the straight road with this view feels incredibly refreshing. As we head toward Mt. Nakadake, a magnificent grassland area comes into view. This is the “Aso Kusasenri Parking Lot.” Located here is the “Aso Volcano Museum.” It’s a comprehensive facility where you can learn about the formation of Mt. Aso— an active volcano with one of the world’s largest calderas—and its current ecosystem. This is a “volcanic bomb.” It’s a lump of lava ejected during a volcanic eruption. Depending on the properties of the magma, they can take on various shapes. And this vast grassland spreading out before us is called “Kusasenrigahama,” located at an elevation of about 1,100 meters. It’s one of the most iconic tourist spots that everyone visits when coming to Aso. It covers an area of approximately 780,000 square meters, equivalent to about 17 Tokyo Domes. With Mt. Nakadake puffing smoke in the background, horses graze peacefully in this pastoral landscape. Many tourists stop here during their drive to enjoy a walk. This one looks like it’s having a very comfortable rest… haha. The low hill standing in the center of Kusasenrigahama is said to have originally been a crater. It may look like a small peak quietly standing in the middle of a field, but it’s actually a mountain called “Komatateyama.” Here’s the panoramic view of Kusasenrigahama. Well then, shall we go see that crater? There’s also a shuttle bus service for tourists. It’s about a 10-minute drive from here, and you can visit the crater of the active volcano. We can now see the entrance to the toll road. Just beyond the entrance, there is a toll booth. Rather than a road fee, it feels more like an admission charge. Also, due to high gas emissions, you’ll be asked whether you have weak bronchial tubes or respiratory conditions. Please proceed to the crater at your own risk. You’ll drive through this desolate landscape and ascend, then park and walk to view the crater. Among the five peaks that rise within the caldera of Mt. Aso, “Nakadake” is the one still actively erupting today. You can see a Buddha statue that was built to pray for the safety of visitors. You’ll also see a few evacuation shelters. This is the “Nakadake First Crater.” It’s approximately 600 meters in diameter, 130 meters deep, and has a circumference of about 4 kilometers. It’s said that its eruption cycle repeats roughly every 15 to 20 years. Seeing the large volcanic bombs embedded all over the area, you can imagine just how powerful the eruption must have been. If an eruption suddenly began, we would have to evacuate to a place like this. It’s scary, isn’t it? Graffiti in a place like this… Even in Hangul… (As a Korean, I feel ashamed.) I had never seen an active volcano like this before, so it’s quite moving. It looks like we still have time to visit one more place, so we’ll head to a famous spring. About 25 minutes by car. Shirakawa Spring. It’s been selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters, and is known for its excellent water quality and clarity. It’s said that rain falling in the Aso caldera seeps into the ground over many years, and springs up again here. According to one source, it takes about 10,000 years for the caldera’s water to reach this point. Now, the precious spring water filtered over 10,000 years flows here. It says that 60 tons of water gush out every minute. This is the very source of the spring water—Shirakawa Spring. It maintains a constant water temperature of 14°C year-round, even in summer or winter, and since it’s drinkable and you can take it home, I gave it a try myself. Kumamoto has many such springs, and it’s said that all the tap water here comes from underground sources. The spring is connected to Shirakawa Yoshimi Shrine, which enshrines the water deity, and further inside, there’s a spot where the water springs out. You can see the clear water gushing out right before your eyes. The water flows in one direction where you can drink or collect it, and the other direction flows outward through a water channel. This shrine that houses the water deity… doesn’t it feel mystical? By collecting fresh water and witnessing the start of a river, you can feel the harmony of Aso’s nature, history, and water worship— I think it’s a place that brings emotional and spiritual healing. Well, it’s about time to head back. Kumamoto City is said to be virtually the only city in Japan that supplies its tap water entirely from underground sources. It’s like getting mineral water just by turning on the tap. We returned the rental car and arrived at Kumamoto Station. Isn’t the station pretty big? It’s a historic station that opened in 1891, but it was rebuilt in 2011 when the Kyushu Shinkansen line opened. The creator of One Piece is from this area, so you see a lot of One Piece artwork here. It’s a complex facility with shopping, a movie theater, and a hotel, and it has a similar vibe to Sakuramachi, which also has a bus terminal. But Sakuramachi is larger in scale and more crowded. If you think about access to tourist spots and shopping streets, Sakuramachi is definitely more convenient. We’re taking the streetcar from in front of Kumamoto Station to Sakuramachi. This charming streetcar really has a nostalgic vibe. With the clickety-clack of the tracks, I was just getting into the mood—and we’ve already arrived. If you plan to use the streetcar often, getting a free pass might be more efficient. The basic one-way fare is 180 yen, and a one-day pass costs 500 yen. Alright then, let’s head out for a meal. Shall we try another Kumamoto specialty today? That would be grilled Akaushi beef. Akaushi is a breed of domestic Wagyu raised mainly in Kumamoto Prefecture, and it looks quite similar to Korean Hanwoo beef. Thinly sliced beef tongue— the menu even called it a “house specialty!” Here we have loin and short rib. And this is offal. Today’s special cut—misuji (chuck flap tail). Skirt steak marinated in sauce. So, we got a set of four kinds of Akaushi beef and today’s special cuts. To briefly explain about Akaushi, a Kumamoto specialty— remember the cows we saw grazing on Mount Aso earlier today? They’re raised on the vast grasslands of the Aso region. The cattle are raised in conditions close to natural grazing, so they experience less stress, and they grow up healthy with clean water, fresh air, and wide-open pastures. Akaushi is also a type of Wagyu, so… Some people might imagine it to be fatty and tender, but unlike other Wagyu, it’s said to have relatively low fat content. When grilled quickly, a savory aroma and juicy flavor spread through your mouth, and because it’s not overly fatty, it doesn’t feel heavy and has a satisfying chew. If you leave Kumamoto without eating Akaushi, you might feel like your trip is missing something. That’s it for today’s adventure~ The rain is still falling today. We left the hotel slowly and relaxed. It may be raining, but this trip is important, so we still have to go out and explore. First, we came for lunch. It’s a restaurant called “Kourantei.” We’re going to try a unique Japanese-style Chinese dish you can only find in Kumamoto: Taipien. Taipien originally came from Fujian Province in China, but in Japan, it took root only in Kumamoto and became completely established as a local specialty. We ordered the basic Taipien, as well as a version that includes summer vegetables. It was introduced to Kumamoto in the late Meiji era, and since duck eggs were hard to come by at the time, they used fried eggs instead, and replaced the traditional dumpling wrappers with glass noodles, which eventually led to the current Kumamoto-style Taipien. It originally resembled more of a soup dish, but over time it evolved into something more like a noodle dish. It’s really light yet delicious, with a taste that’s reminiscent of a seafood champon, but cleaner and more delicate— another incredible dish unique to Kumamoto! Come to think of it, we haven’t tried Kumamoto ramen yet… The rain seems to be coming down harder now, but since we planned to visit Kumamoto Castle, we’ll stick to the schedule and go check it out. At the entrance to the Kumamoto Castle ruins, you’ll see a statue of Kato Kiyomasa. He’s a very famous military commander in Japanese history, and he also has historical ties to Korea. He is said to have designed and constructed Kumamoto Castle himself. You can still see parts of the stone walls that have collapsed, as the castle suffered significant damage in the 2016 earthquake. Restoration work is still ongoing, and it’s said it will take 20 to 30 years to complete. It seems the damage was even worse than expected. Except for the main keep, the rest of the castle is still under repair, but the restoration process is open to the public for viewing in detail. When it comes to the three greatest castles in Japan—based on historical value and beauty— Osaka Castle, Osaka Castle, Nagoya Castle, Osaka Castle, Nagoya Castle, and Himeji Castle are usually named, but in terms of originality in design and architecture, Kumamoto Castle sometimes replaces Himeji Castle on the list. It’s Kato Kiyomasa’s masterpiece, and it boasts one of the highest levels of defensive design— but natural disasters like earthquakes are beyond anyone’s control. That building you see over there is the main keep of Kumamoto Castle. It’s the central structure of the castle, the symbol of the castle, and its final line of defense. The castle is known for its two distinct styles of stone wall construction. This is the “Honmaru Goten,” the most prestigious room used by the feudal lord. It’s the highest-ranking room in the castle. There’s a dark passage beneath the building, and even the formal entrance is located underground, showing how much emphasis was placed on defense. We’ve arrived at the square in front of the main keep. The lower part of the stone walls is gently sloped, but the incline becomes much steeper as you go higher, a design intended to make it harder for enemies to climb. It really looks like a fortress. Kumamoto Castle was completed in 1607 by Kato Kiyomasa. Using his experience from the Imjin War, he applied advanced techniques in castle construction, turning Kumamoto Castle into an impregnable fortress. It’s a painful history for Korea, but that war prompted Joseon to implement reforms and strengthen its defenses. That aside, Kiyomasa developed a strong interest in architecture during the invasion, and he found Korean roof tiles to be superior in both shape and durability. It’s said that he brought Korean tile ends back to Japan, and used them in parts of Kumamoto Castle. He also reportedly brought Korean craftsmen and engineers as prisoners, and had them work on Japanese castle construction and civil engineering projects. The castle is not only visually beautiful, but also a masterpiece of construction techniques. There are windows tilted intentionally to deflect arrows, tatami mats made from taro stalks so they could be eaten in emergencies, and hallways that bend in complex ways to block enemy intrusion. (Even the toilets protruding from the stone walls are worth seeing.) Separate from the invasion of Korea, Kiyomasa is revered in Kumamoto as “Lord Kiyomasa” for stabilizing the lives of commoners through flood control, urban development, and agricultural promotion. To continue the story — after Kiyomasa’s death, the Hosokawa family became the new lords of the Kumamoto Domain, but with the Meiji Restoration and the abolition of the feudal system, they also lost their status. Afterward, samurai opposed to the government’s policies rose in rebellion, and during this period of upheaval, Kumamoto Castle faced many hardships. During the Satsuma Rebellion, the castle was destroyed by fire, and it was rebuilt in 1960 using reinforced concrete. However, a massive earthquake in 2016 caused extensive damage again. Currently, the main keep has been restored and is open to the public. While I was explaining, we ended up reaching the top-floor observation deck. The first floor of the castle represents the Kato era, the second floor the Hosokawa era, and the third and fourth floors exhibit the modern era. This top floor is an observation space offering a panoramic view of Kumamoto City. During wartime, this top floor likely served as a lookout post. During the Imjin War (the Bunroku and Keichō campaigns), Kato Kiyomasa joined the invasion of Korea under orders from Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He was one of the military commanders who participated in the campaign against Korea. Because of that, he is generally viewed in a negative light in Korea. However, in Japan, he is sometimes respected as a capable military leader. This is Kumamoto Castle, which he built. As we come down from the castle, there is a tourist complex near the entrance called Sakuranobaba Josaien. “Sakuranobaba” means “pasture of cherry blossoms,” and it’s combined with “Josaien,” meaning “a town that decorates the castle.” The area is designed to resemble a town from the Edo period. It’s a fun place where you can experience traditional Japanese townscapes. I also walked around the whole area, Kumamoto ramen, horse sashimi, Aka beef rice bowls, and Taipien. There were also many crafts and souvenirs. Maybe because of the weather, it felt a little less crowded today. The rain seems to be letting up a bit—thank goodness! Would it be okay to call this area the “old town” of Kumamoto? I’m thinking of taking a walk through Nakatōjinmachi, a district where old storehouses and traditional buildings still remain. You can really feel the atmosphere of Kumamoto’s old castle town here. The Meijū Bridge over the river behind this stylish red building— was created by a stonemason from Kumamoto named Hashimoto Kangorō, who also designed Tokyo’s famous Nihonbashi and Nijūbashi. Here in Nakatōjinmachi, traditional wooden merchant houses with storehouse architecture still remain. It’s a neighborhood that really captures the atmosphere of old Kumamoto. What you see here—Roots Purely— is a renovated historical house. It has been transformed into a commercial facility featuring organic groceries, clothing, and a restaurant. Doesn’t it have such a creative and artistic vibe? Now, this wooden building here—what was the purpose of the brick wall? It used to be a store that handled oil, and to prevent fires from spreading, they built this wall to keep fire from reaching the neighboring house. Seeing that it’s still standing today, it seems the wall served its purpose well. The cafes inside these old houses also have such a nice atmosphere. And then my eyes caught a spring water spot. This spring is called “water of the castle town.” You really get a sense that this is a “city of water”! Just above it is Meihachi Bridge, another work by that famous stonemason. As someone who loves walking through towns, exploring Nakatōjinmachi was truly a joyful experience for me. I returned to the hotel for a short rest, and then headed out again to have dinner. I heard there was a yatai (food stall) street nearby, so I came to a place called “Kumamoto Yatai Village.” As you can see, you can enjoy various types of shochu from different regions for just one coin, so it’s a perfect place to casually have a drink and enjoy the yatai atmosphere. Since it’s still early, there aren’t many people here yet. After wandering around indecisively, I finally chose a place and entered an izakaya with outdoor seating. Of course, you can eat Kumamoto cuisine in Tokyo too, but it’s when you eat local specialties while traveling that you really taste the real thing. So, I ordered an assorted plate of horse sashimi. And this is pickled gourd. It’s pickled hyotan (gourd)—very light and refreshing. This is yukhoe made with horse meat. Horse sashimi goes perfectly with Kyushu soy sauce, which is rich and slightly sweet. The horse meat doesn’t have a strong odor and has a chewy texture, so it feels very different from other meats and easy to eat. Of course, for those who aren’t used to raw meat, it might be a bit of a challenge, but once you try it, a whole new world of flavors might open up to you. If you ever come to Kumamoto, I highly recommend trying it. The yukhoe also just melts in your mouth. Since I live in Japan, this is a domestic trip for me, but I’m going to fully enjoy Kumamoto’s local specialties while I’m here! (laughs) Among the horse sashimi cuts, the lean meat was so good that I ordered more, and it goes perfectly with Kumamoto shochu. Then I also tried a croquette made with horse meat. The croquette—wow, it’s delicious. It’s filled with chunks of horse meat inside mashed potatoes. This is definitely a rare delicacy! (laughs) Maybe I was craving some carbs, but I suddenly wanted ramen. No, actually—I wanted to try Kumamoto ramen. So I stopped by “Kokutei,” one of Kumamoto’s top three ramen shops. Among Kyushu ramen, it has a unique personality. Kumamoto ramen, along with Hakata ramen, represents Kyushu ramen. Its base is pork bone broth, but it’s often blended with chicken stock, which makes the soup mild and less pungent. While savoring this regional ramen flavor, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal! The final day of the trip. Today, too, it’s drizzling. But the rainy scenery isn’t so bad either. (laughs) I’ve checked out, and now I’m heading to the airport. I’m walking through the underground passage of Sakuramachi, heading to the bus terminal. The terminal is well organized, and I was able to find the boarding area without getting lost. Our trip to Kumamoto happened to fall during the rainy season, so we spent more than half of our journey in the rain, but the beautiful natural scenery and delicious food made it a very enjoyable and fulfilling trip. The fact that it was our first time in Kumamoto probably helped, too~ We’ve arrived at the airport. On the opposite side of the domestic arrivals area, there’s an international arrivals area, but it looks like the shopping and restaurant areas are shared, even if the entrances are separate. Since we only got to try one of the top three ramen spots in Kumamoto, I really want to taste another one as well. Ajisen Ramen. Ajisen Ramen is known for its signature “Senmi oil,” a brown soup oil. It’s said to enhance the richness and flavor of the tonkotsu broth, creating a fragrant and savory pork-based soup. It’s really delicious. Was I just hungry? I wonder why it tasted so incredibly good… Now I’m waiting in the lounge with a glass of beer. That Ajisen Ramen was so tasty that I’ve started getting really curious about the last of the three famous ramen. There are a lot of instant ramen products sold at the airport, but of course, eating it locally tastes so much better. Kumamoto, with its clean water and beautiful mountains! From active volcanoes to delicious local dishes, horse sashimi, and ramen, this journey filled with nature and tradition comes to a close, and I head home with a strong desire to visit again someday. Thank you so much for watching until the very end! Thank you very much for watching until the very end!

4일간의 일본 구마모토 여행, 그 후편을 담은 영상입니다.
이번 편에서는 아소산의 초원 풍경과 제1화구, 맑디맑은 시라카와 수원,
구마모토의 명물 아카우시 야키니쿠와 바사시, 그리고 마지막 라멘까지! 🍜
구마모토 성부터 전통 거리 산책까지, 일본 자연과 전통의 완벽한 조화를 경험하세요.
이번 영상으로 구마모토의 매력에 푹 빠질 준비 되셨나요? 지금 떠나보세요! ✨
📍 #구마모토여행 #일본브이로그 #아소산 #구마모토맛집 #일본렌트카여행

📌 타임라인 (영상 하이라이트)
00:00 인트로
01:50 광대한 푸른 초원 ‘쿠사센리 가하마’
04:40 웅장한 아소산 제1화구
07:36 분당 60톤의 물이 흘러나오는 ‘시라카와 수원’
12:33 구마모토역에서 노면 전차 타보기
14:32 구마모토 명물 아카우시 불고기 맛보기
17:11 구마모토 별미 ‘타이피엔’ 맛보기
20:04 일본 3대 성, 구마모토성 구경하기
26:32 특산물이 모두 한자리에! ‘사쿠라노바바 조사이엔’
27:44 옛가옥이 즐비한 ‘나카토진마치’ 동네 산책
31:01 구마모토 포장마차 거리
31:42 말고기와 바사시로 저녁 식사 @아마켄 3
34:22 꼭 먹어봐야 할 구마모토 라면 ‘쿠로테이’
35:49 이제 공항으로, 사쿠라마치 버스터미널
37:09 공항에서 마지막 구마모토 라멘 ‘아지센 공항점’

🍽 추천 맛집
Cutca (Akaushi)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fBWHsuHhw8iVeDzv7
Korantei | Shimotōri (Taipien)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LmF2da16Wu5ej1Ti7
AMAKEN3
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LH5SW9WVS6yzospM6
Kokutei| Shimotōri (Kumamoto Ramen)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5TwnYNm8jxeRbPVn9
Ajisen x Keika Ramen | Aso Kumamoto Airport (Kumamoto Ramen)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WkuzPGpt4A7pZBP3A

📷 촬영 장비
카메라: Nikon Z6III
렌즈: TAMRON 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2
보조 촬영: iPhone 13

🎥 다른 여행 브이로그도 보러 오세요!
👉 도쿄 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCpIG2pAiieLNd16_4XI7wrf
👉 오사카 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCoTH7tZZhtDV2fQBlgzobDk
👉 오키나와 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCr44TOXdOJ_OqWcmVjl6345
👉 일본 추천 여행지: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCqvs-Y8jC5gYqJlRrnlu_tm
👉 대만 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCoEgcPnbbBSnG8IcsCsEsGl
👉 프랑스 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCr9NhuVC5YijSeQGfYhebir
👉 태국 방콕 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCpGEDuKGcPupGGTaL4EY4n8
👉 이탈리아 여행: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI8QXTALJCrvuBAaDXZ2Jzr7dGVB5NnC

🎵 BGM 정보
사용 음악: Artlist 음원
가입 링크: https://artlist.io/LEE-3783075
(△ 링크를 통해 가입하면 추가 2개월 무료 혜택을 받을 수 있어요!)

😊 더 많은 일본 여행 꿀팁과 브이로그가 궁금하다면 구독과 좋아요 부탁드려요! 🧳💕
#사쿠라마치 #바사시맛집 #일본렌터카여행 #아카우시 #구마모토맛집 #일본전통요리 #규슈여행 #일본온천마을 #내마음의일본 #구마모토라멘