2025 Yamato Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

📍Address 〒861-3513 Kumamoto Prefecture, Kamimashiki District, Yamato Town, Ono 712 👉 Hie Tate Shrine (also known as "Hie Tate Jinja") is located in Yamato Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu. It is a spiritual ancient shrine with over 15,000 years of legendary history and is considered one of "Japan's Five Hidden Shrines." ⸻ 🕒 Opening Hours Open year-round, free visiting hours: All day • No admission fee, free to visit and take photos • Recommended to visit during the daytime; the afternoon sunlight filtering through the cedar forest enhances the sacred atmosphere ⸻ 🚍 Transportation ⚠️ The shrine is located in the mountains, making transportation less convenient. Driving or hiring a car is recommended. ✅ Option 1: From Kumamoto City (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car) 1. 🚗 Driving/Hiring a car (most recommended) • Depart from Kumamoto City or Kumamoto Airport, take Route 445 → head towards Yamato Town → parking is available near the shrine • Can be combined with a one-day car tour to Takachiho/Aso 2. 🚌 Bus + walking transfer (limited schedules, challenging) • Transfer from "Takamori Station" or "Tsujun Bridge" station to Yamato Town buses • It is recommended to check the latest schedules on Yamato Town's tourism website or inquire if local accommodations offer shuttle services ⸻ ✅ Reasons to Visit • Believed to be one of Japan's oldest shrines, dedicated to "Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami" and the Five-Colored People Gods, rare deities of "creation of heaven and earth" • Surrounded by thousand-year-old cedar forests, the tranquil atmosphere is praised as "one of Kyushu's most powerful spiritual sites" • Said to be the ancient center of "unity of worship and governance" and "world peace prayers," with mysterious connections to foreign sacred sites (e.g., Mayan culture, Egyptian pyramids) • Hosts the "World Peace Prayer Festival" annually in late August, attracting spiritual practitioners worldwide • Feels like entering a forest of spiritual energy, ideal for soul travel, energy replenishment, meditation, and leisurely walks ⸻ 📌 Suggested Itinerary Recommended to combine "Hie Tate Shrine + Southern Kumamoto Spiritual & Nature Tour": 1. Tsujun Bridge (approximately 20 minutes by car) • Edo-period stone aqueduct bridge, designated as an important cultural property, most beautiful in spring and autumn 2. Gokanosho Falls (approximately 25 minutes by car) • A waterfall about 50 meters high, view its majestic flow from a suspension bridge, an extension of the shrine's energy 3. Takachiho Gorge (extended itinerary, about 1.5 hours by car) • Spiritual site in Miyazaki, row a boat through the rocky valley and experience Japan's mythical world 4. Kumamoto City/Aso area as a return base • Arrange accommodations at Aso hot springs, Kusasenri, or Kumamoto City hot spring hotels for a relaxing end to the trip

Located in Yamato Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Tsujunkyo Bridge is one of Japan's largest aqueduct bridges, constructed in the late Edo period. Spanning a valley to deliver water to elevated farmlands, its grand structure is a testament to the wisdom and passion of those who came before us. Still operational today, the bridge's majestic presence and the surrounding natural beauty continue to inspire visitors. Highlights * Impressive Scale! A massive stone arch bridge reaching the sky 🌉✨ Standing at approximately 20 meters tall and 76 meters long, this enormous stone bridge overwhelms viewers with its grandeur. A miraculous feat of engineering that showcases the advanced techniques of its time. * Still in use! The powerful spectacle of water discharge 🏞️💧 The bridge's water discharge, held several times a year, allows visitors to witness the dramatic flow of water accompanied by thunderous sounds. It's an unforgettable experience. (Please check discharge dates in advance.) * Beautiful surrounding nature! Feel history amidst lush greenery 🏞️🌿 The area around the bridge is surrounded by verdant nature, offering visitors a chance to leisurely explore this historical structure within a picturesque setting. Key Features * **The elegant curves of the stone bridge 🌉🧐** The meticulously stacked stones create a bridge with stunning curves, showcasing functional beauty. Take your time to observe its intricate details. * Ingenious waterway system 💧🧠 The waterway system, utilizing elevation differences to transport water, reflects the wisdom and advanced techniques of the time. Learning about its history and structure at the museum is highly recommended. * The dynamic spray during water discharge! 🏞️💧📢 During water discharge events, visitors can experience the powerful flow and spray of water from both above and below the bridge. Information * Address: Shimoi, Yamato Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture 📍 * Access: * From JR Hohi Main Line "Higo-Ozu Station," take the Sanko Bus bound for "Tsujunkyo" for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, then get off at "Tsujunkyo" 🚌 * From Kyushu Expressway "Mifune IC" or "Mashiki Kumamoto Airport IC," take Route 443 for about 50 minutes 🚗 * Hours: Open for viewing anytime * Admission: Free (Tsujunkyo Museum has an admission fee) 💰 Nearby Attractions * Tsujunkyo Museum: Learn about the history, structure, and the people involved in the construction of Tsujunkyo Bridge. 📚 * Roadside Station Tsujunkyo: Offers local specialties and souvenirs, as well as dining options. 🛍️😋 * Heitate Shrine: A mystical shrine located near the center of Kyushu, exuding a sacred atmosphere. ⛩️ Summary Tsujunkyo Bridge is a magnificent stone aqueduct bridge built with the wisdom and passion of ancestors. Its stunning appearance and enduring functionality continue to inspire visitors. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, it is a place where history and nature can be appreciated simultaneously. Be sure to visit this remarkable site! 🌉🏞️✨

Goro-ga-taki, located in Sagara Village, Kuma District, is a powerful waterfall with a drop of 50m. 🌊✨ You can get close to the waterfall basin, so you can enjoy the spectacular view while feeling the spray of the water up close. 💦 There are also promenades around the area, so you can enjoy nature as if you were hiking. (о´∀`о) You can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, so it will show you a different look every time you visit. 🍃 [Opening hours] Open 24 hours a day [Access] About 30 minutes by car from JR Hitoyoshi Station [Notes] The promenade is well-maintained, so it's easy to walk! Wear comfortable shoes. 👟 #0 yen trip February 2025 #Goro-ga-taki #Kumamoto sightseeing #waterfall tour #spectacular spot #hiking

Tsujun Bridge, located in Yamato Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a stone aqueduct bridge built in the Edo period. It was built to supply water for agricultural use and still functions to this day. On the days when water is released, water gushes out from the bridge, creating a dynamic view like a waterfall. There are also observation decks and museums around the bridge, where you can learn about history and architectural techniques. If you check the water release date before visiting, you can enjoy a spectacular view! Opening hours: 24 hours a day (check the water release date) Access: Approximately 1 hour by car from JR Kumamoto Station Notes: Check the official information for water release times #0 yen trip February 2025 #Tsujun Bridge #Kumamoto sightseeing #spectacular spot #Edo period architecture #bridge tour

⭐︎Tsujun Bridge This is the first civil engineering structure to be designated a national treasure. You can see the powerful water discharge from under the bridge! It is only available on certain days, so please check the website before you go. On days when the water is discharged, you can watch it for 15 minutes from 13:00. The number of parking spaces is limited, so on busy days you will have to park in a parking lot further away. You can also walk on the bridge. There is a fee and a limit on the number of people, so we recommend arriving early! We also enjoyed lunch before going to Tsujun Bridge. ⭐︎We had lunch at Tsujun Sake Brewery's "Kanseikura". Only available on weekends and holidays. The photo shows the spring/summer lunch for 1,750 yen. You can also compare sake tastings. 📍Location: Tsujun Sake Brewery: 54 Hamamachi, Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture 🕰️Opening hours: Lunch from 11am 🏖️Atmosphere/facilities: A modern feel in a historic building, perfect for a drive date.