About Oguni

A rural town with a population of slightly under 8,000, Oguni is nestled in the far northeastern corner of Kumamoto Prefecture in the center of Kyushu. Lying just north of the volcanic caldera of Aso, the area is dotted with hot springs and several volcanic rock formations. The distinctive outline of Mount Waita (1499m) dominates the skyline, overlooking a landscape that is hilly, densely forested and interspersed with fast-flowing rivers.

Forestry has been an important activity in Oguni for over 250 years, the wet and humid climate being ideally suited to a particularly high quality of cedar known as Oguni Cedar. More recently, with the arrival of a herd of 98 Jersey cows shipped over from Australia in 1957 dairy farming has proved to be a success in Oguni, with high quality Aso Oguni Jersey dairy products, including delicious yoghurt and ice cream being produced locally. Thirdly, the hot spring areas of Waita and Tsuetate attract tourists from near and far, particularly day-trippers from the cities. The Tsuetate Onsen Koinobori Festival in April every year is a sight not to be missed, with 3500 colourful koi carp streamers dancing in the breeze over the Tsuetate River.

Unique Architecture

However, thanks largely to the efforts of the former mayor of Oguni, there is much more to this quiet and unassuming town than first meets the eye. Spend more than a few hours exploring the area, and you will discover a number of unusually-shaped buildings such as domes, pyramids and more, constructed mainly from local cedar and glass. These are modern structures and designs, but for the most part the use of cedar means that they blend in well with the surrounding landscape. Oguni Dome is the most impressive of these buildings—a large sports hall/concert venue designed by Shoei Yoh and making use of a "space grid system" whereby a large roof can be built without the need for central supporting pillars. Yu Station, a bus terminal and information center/gift shop built of glass and cedar and also designed by Shoei Yoh stands out in the very center of town and continues to serve its purpose well even after 25 years. The residential study center Mokkonkan in the Kitazato area also features a unique design of cedar and metal by the architect Hideaki Katsura, with a roof said to resemble a shoal of fish. Another building of note is the former Higo Bank in the center of town, which now serves as the town library and houses a large carving made out of a section of the ancient Amida Cedar tree, an important monument that was badly damaged in a typhoon in 1999.

A River Runs Through it..

One of my favourite pastimes is simply to walk around some of the local areas in Oguni. The Shizuka River runs right through the center of town, flowing past the imposing 200-year old cedars in the grounds of Ryojinja Shrine and under the shady branches of a glorious zelkova tree at Keyakisuigen on one side, a stone`s throw from Oguni Dome on the other. A disused railway line has been turned into a hiking path, shady and cool in summer, leading from Yu Station in central Oguni to the Kitazato area, where the carefully restored home of the scientist Shibasaburo Kitazato is now a small museum. In the opposite direction, a walk in the Horai area leads to Hokonosha Shrine, the Sakamoto Zenzo Art Gallery housed in a perfectly restored 100-year old traditional farmhouse, and then onto a cool and refreshing resting spot next to the Nabegataki Waterfall. The attraction of the waterfall on a hot day being that you can actually walk behind the curtain of water to cool down. Of course, these places can be visited by a tourist by car in one afternoon, but why not slow down, take your time and discover the hidden beauty of Oguni? You may never want to return to the city again, and believe me, I know that for a fact.

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Ubuyama

Ubuyama Village is a special place. It rests on the edge of the world’s largest caldera, and is home to some of the world’s kindest people. Though it covers less than 24 square miles, it is overflowing with natural beauty. It is small and remote, yet very inspirational.

The census of 2021 tallied the population of Ubuyama at around 1,400 people. The village is centered around the elementary and junior high schools, village office, and board of education. Travelling along some of Ubuyama's back raods will, however, show you landscapes and nature that have an emotional effect that is undeniable.

The power of the scenery is due to the vast range of beauty in Ubuyama. Standing at the immense wind turbine at Ubuyama Farm, you can look out upon vast rolling hills flanked by mountains. The size and feeling conveyed by this view is often the first treat to visitors to Ubuyama as they stop to enjoy the restaurant and its menu of food with local ingredients, many of which are produced on the premises.

After visiting Ubuyama Farm, you can move into the center of the village, where you will likely be greeted with a smile. The surrounding sunlit valleys and stoic forests are perfect for a drive or a hike. There are two natural fountainheads in the area, both with tranquil pools and rolling waters underneath a canopy of beautiful trees. The clean and delicious water is a point of pride for the village.

“Japan” most often conjures images of Shibuya’s thriving streets or the beautiful wooden gates of Kyoto. In between each of these larger dots on the map of Japan is where the people and the heart of Japan reside. Ubuyama is a perfect example of Japan's quiet, slow-life countryside. There are myriad sights, both small and grand, to explore in the nearby area, any number of which are sure to provide inspiration and make memories you'll never forget.

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Tourist information

http://ubuyama-kanko.com/lan/en/

Minamioguni

Minamioguni (南小国町 Minamioguni-machi) is a town located just north of Aso City, just outside of the Aso Caldera, in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The cozy town has an estimated population of around 3,600 people as of 2021.

Don’t be discouraged by the lack of information on Wikipedia. Even if Wikipedia only spends two lines on a place, it doesn’t mean that it is not worth visiting. On the contrary, this could make Minamioguni an even more attractive place as it has yet to be discovered by tourists.

Minamioguni is a hot spring heaven. For centuries, visitors have trekked to Minamioguni to soak in the restorative and rejuvenating hot waters that bubble up through numerous springs throughout the area. If you're looking for a quiet spot off the beaten track to relax and concentrate, Minamioguni is the perfect spot for you.

Manganji Onsen (満願寺温泉) is one of Minamioguni’s famous hot spring areas and is home to some unique spa houses. There is also an open-air spring situated along the river. Many people still come here to do their laundry, wash their dishes, clean vegetables and enjoy the beautiful scenery while enjoying a hot bath in the open air. It is a sight that will make you feel like you just stepped back in time.

The most famous hot spring area in Minamioguni is Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉), with numerous outdoor baths (露天風呂 rotenburo) and beautifully atmospheric, traditional Japanese style inns (旅館 ryokan). Whether you want to relax, find inspiration for your next piece of art, or are just looking to get a glimpse of beautiful Japanese architecture surrounded by incredible nature, this is a place that you must visit once in your life.

You’ll discover baths along the river and in the woods, in the center of town or overlooking mountain views, cave baths, rocky pools, wooden tubs, standing baths, mixed baths, historic baths, modern baths, and more.

In Kurokawa, you are guaranteed to see Japanese people dressed in traditional Japanese style bathrobes or “summer kimonos” (浴衣 yukata). If you want to blend in, you can even rent a yukata set yourself to stroll about town in. 

Minamioguni offers more than hot springs. It is also a popular destination for couples seeking to ensure a happy marriage at Meoto Falls (夫婦滝). 

Meoto Falls consists of two waterfalls facing each other. They are said to reflect the legend of tragic love between a samurai and a young woman from the village. Nowadays, many people visit this place to pray for luck in love and for a happy marriage.

Apart from beautiful waterfalls, Minamioguni is also home to Mazeno Gorge (マゼノ渓谷). 

The Mystery Road (ミステリーロード) runs through this mountainous area and offers great views. It is the perfect road for a great drive on a beautiful day and it will take you to yet another landmark:

Oshito Ishi (押戸石). Hundreds of rocks, both large and small, lie scattered among the hills on the northern part of Mt. Aso’s caldera. The biggest of these rocks is called Oshito Ishi.

Mysterious ancient petroglyphs are carved into the side of this rock formation, suggesting that these rocks may have been used in some kind of ancient ceremony or ritual. Even if you couldn’t be bothered with the historical importance of this site, it is still a place very well worth visiting, as it will provide you with one of most breathtaking views in the entire Aso area.

Another place with a breathtaking view is Senomoto Plateau (瀬の本高原), which stretches out over Minamioguni and into Taketa City (Oita Prefecture) and offers impressive views of the Kuju mountain range and Mt. Aso.

Minamioguni is also home to many traditional art forms. Among these are sacred music and ritual dances, such as Nakabaru Gaku (中原楽), Shishimai (獅子舞), Yoshiwara Kagura (吉原神楽) and Tanoharu Bon Odori (田の原盆踊り). Many of these art forms were handed down from one generation to the next. They often include traditional instruments (e.g. taiko drums, shakuhachi), fashion (including masks), weapons (e.g. katana) and other cultural items.

After indulging yourself in all of the wonders that one can find in Minamioguni, it is time for some great food. Japanese people travel from all over Japan to Minamioguni just to taste the best handmade soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) available. In fact, Minamioguni made soba so famous that they have an entire road named after the food, called the Soba Kaido, where you can find various restaurants offering delicious handmade soba.

Minamioguni is not only a very beautiful place; it is also filled with beautiful people. The locals are very friendly and welcoming. This may be thanks to the local organic food and pure mountain air that people take in on a daily basis. 

In conclusion, if you're looking for a quiet place to escape, focus on your art, and mingle with the locals at the neighborhood hot spring, Minamioguni is the place for you.

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Minamiaso

Spreading across the southern slopes of the Aso-Gogaku (the Five Peaks of Aso) and bounded to the south by the steep sides of the Aso Caldera lies the quiet village of Minamiaso.

Minamiaso is most famous for its water resources. Minamiaso has ten different cold water springs rated with an output of over 170,000 tons of water per day. People come from both near and far to collect fresh, delicious spring water for drinking and cooking. The Shirakawa Suigen acts as the official source of the mighty Shirakawa River that runs from Minamiaso down to Kumamoto City and then out to the Ariake Sea. These cold springs irrigate the many rice paddies and fruit farms that form the backbone of the agrarian lifestyles of many of the residents of Minamiaso.

There are also five separate hot spring sources within the village limits, each with different mineral compositions and properties. Numerous ryokan and bathing spots are located around each source, and many offer spectacular views of Aso's five peaks and the majestic outer mountain ring of the Aso Caldera.

Despite having a population of just north of 10,000 people, you'll find all kinds of unique shops and restaurants run by people who moved to Minamiaso to escape from busy city life. Highlights include the chiffon cake shop located in the currently closed Choyo Station; the Strong Boss Saloon which is more American than almost any place you'll find in America; delicious locally-raised Akaushi wagyu beef at Minaaso Maruden; and the over-the-top chintzy appeal of Hogihogi Shrine.

Minamiaso also has a solid pottery culture. There are quite a few pottery workshops located in the area, and each has its own unique style and approach to making pottery, with some more focused on unadorned pieces that take on character once fired, while others offer ceramics that have been intricately hand-painted. There is also a community kiln available for novice pottery hobbyists.

In conclusion, Minamiaso has a little bit of everything: quiet countryside air, friendly people, great food, beautiful sights, and rejuvenating hot springs, all while being less than an hour from downtown Kumamoto City. 

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