九州・沖縄· Kyushu & Okinawaくまもとけん
熊本県
Kumamoto
Kumamoto lies in central Kyushu. It is famous for the magnificent Kumamoto Castle and Mt. Aso, an active volcano with one of the world's largest calderas. It is also known as the home of the popular mascot "Kumamon." The prefecture enjoys a distinctive food culture—including raw horse meat—and rich hot springs such as Kurokawa Onsen.
みどころHighlights
- 熊本城は、名将・加藤清正が築いた、日本三名城の一つに数えられる壮大な城です。敵の侵入を防ぐ反り返った石垣「武者返し」が特徴で、二〇一六年の地震からの復旧が進み、再び雄大な姿を見せています。熊本城歴史HistoryKumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle, built by the famed general Kato Kiyomasa, is counted among Japan's three great castles. Known for its curved "musha-gaeshi" stone walls that repel intruders, it is recovering from the 2016 earthquake and once again shows its majestic form.
- 阿蘇山は、世界最大級のカルデラを持つ活火山です。今も噴煙を上げる火口や、広大な草原に牛や馬が放牧される雄大な風景が広がっており、大自然の迫力と美しさを間近に感じることができます。阿蘇山自然NatureMt. Aso
Mt. Aso is an active volcano with one of the world's largest calderas. With craters still emitting smoke and vast grasslands where cattle and horses graze, it offers grand scenery where visitors can feel the power and beauty of nature up close.
- 熊本県では、新鮮な馬肉を生で味わう「馬刺し」が郷土料理として親しまれています。きめ細かくやわらかい肉質が特徴で、甘い醤油やしょうが、にんにくなどの薬味とともにあっさりと楽しまれています。馬刺しグルメFoodBasashi (raw horse)
In Kumamoto, "basashi"—fresh horse meat eaten raw—is a beloved local dish. Prized for its fine, tender texture, it is enjoyed light and clean, dipped in sweet soy sauce with condiments such as ginger and garlic.
- 熊本県のPRキャラクター「くまモン」は、赤いほっぺが愛らしいクマのキャラクターです。その人気は全国、さらには海外にも広がり、ゆるキャラブームを代表する存在として、県の魅力を広く発信しています。くまモン特色IdentityKumamon
Kumamoto's promotional mascot, "Kumamon," is an endearing black bear with rosy cheeks. Its popularity has spread nationwide and even overseas, and as a face of the "yuru-chara" mascot boom it broadly promotes the prefecture's appeal.