Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

You should not miss the beautiful Kumamoto Castle.  Originally fortified in 1469, the castle is considered one of the three premier castles along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle.

With a strong history and rich nature, Kyushu became a home of unique regional flavors and culture, and a great destination to enjoy Japan’s southwestern hospitality. By riding Japan’s famous bullet train, the Shinkansen, all the destinations are much more accessible from anywhere in Japan.  The Shinkansen system has recently been extended all the way to Kagoshima, the southern tip of Kyushu Island, connecting from north to south three of the four main islands of the Japanese archipelago. The train line hits the gateway to Nagasaki, one of the few open ports during the Edo period of isolation, goes through Kumamoto where the grandest castle in Japan still stands since the 15th Century, all the way to the bottom of Kyushu, allowing a perfect showcase of Kyushu’s historical treasures to be enjoyed.

Kyushu’s cities hold a deep history and tradition in food, festivals and crafts.    Hakata, an old district in Fukuoka, is famous for traditional dolls and textiles.  Kyushu’s rich soil also allows for a large variety of pottery such as Karatsu, Arita, Imari and Satsuma.  The warm climate is perfect to grow barley and sweet potato, used to create Kyushu’s regional shochu.

Warm your body to the core by bathing in the famous sunamushi-buro or black sand spa in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture.

The unique culture of Kyushu is due to its proximity to Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula, merging continental flavors in cuisine to dishes like tonkotsu pork-broth ramen and mentaiko red-pepper marinated spicy fish roe. The early European merchants that arrived in Nagasaki in the 16th century, and the Dutch merchants and Portuguese Catholic missionaries helped influence the birth of sweets like sponge cake kasutera, which was believed to originate from Portuguese regional dessert, Pão de Castela.  Kyushu’s regional culture was developed through the local historical interaction with other countries.

Kyushu’s geography naturally allows for a unique, relaxing experience.  The abundance of volcanic activity in the area creates a great source of sporadic, natural hot springs and the water’s seven colors makes Kyushu’s hot springs truly special.  Kagoshima has one of the world’s most unique spa methods.  In Ibusuki city found on Kagoshima’s southern coastline, you can bury your body from the neck down in natural hot sand on the beach, for a therapeutic, unique sauna experience.

The 12-stop train journey starts in Fukuoka, where the other Shinkansen lines meet.  The interior of the train cars are designed with regional characteristics, using specially designed décor from Kyushu such as textiles for sheets, indigenous wood paneled interior walls with gold leaf, and wooden window shades and screens made from Kyushu’s cherry trees.  From the big city vibe to the cultural enrichment and ultimate relaxation, it is now easier than ever to visit Kyushu from any part of Japan.

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Kyushu Shinkansen

The Kyushu Shinkansen is a bullet train running on Kyushu Island, starting from the west side route of the island, it makes 12 stops that begin at Hakata Station, the terminal of Sanyo Shinkansen, to Kagoshima-Chuo Station at the southern tip of the island.  Many stops of the Kyushu Shinkansen connect with local lines to make your travel to the east side and coastal line of the island easier, allowing you to enjoy unique regional features.

12 Stops on the Kyushu Shinkansen:
1.      Hakata (Fukuoka Prefecture)
2.      Shin-Tosu (Saga Prefecture)
3.      Kurume (Fukuoka Prefecture)
4.      Chikugo-Funagoya (Fukuoka Prefecture)
5.      Shin-Omuta (Fukuoka Prefecture)
6.      Shin-Tamana (Kumamoto Prefecture)
7.      Kumamoto (Kumamoto Prefecture)
8.      Shin-Yatsushiro (Kumamoto Prefecture)
9.      Shin-Minamata (Kumamoto Prefecture)
10.    Izumi (Kagoshima Prefecture)
11.    Sendai (Kagoshima Prefecture)
12.    Kagoshima-Chuo (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Shochu: Regional Drink That Has Worldwide Appeal

Shochu has been traditionally enjoyed throughout Japan, but most of the shochu distilleries converge on Kyushu Island partly because shochu originated on the island and partly because the area produces a lot of great ingredients.  Naturally shochu culture has been developed in Kyushu more than any other area in Japan.  When you visit Kyushu, you should try regional shochu and appreciate the local flavors.

Onsen Hot Springs in Kyushu
Kyushu has a warm, tropical climate, rich in geothermal activity, a perfect destination to enjoy the many hot spring resorts.  Kumamoto’s Kurokawa Onsen town is lined with many ryokan, perfect for onsen hopping in Yukata. Oita Prefecture’s Beppu city is the hot spring capital of Japan, boasting the most hot spring water of various colors and beneficial properties.  At the southernmost tip, Kagoshima’s Ibusuki city is famed for burying spa-goers in hot sand.  Explore Kyushu’s natural beauty and enjoy the truly relaxing Japanese art form of onsen.