If you're in Kumamoto and want to try something different and local, I recommend the long-established Chinese restaurant Kourantei. Try Kumamoto's signature dish, Taipien (たいぴーえん). It looks a lot like a mixed glass noodle soup, with plenty of ingredients such as vegetables and seafood. The broth was more flavorful than I expected and not as bland as some Google reviews said. It's light yet flavorful and perfect for a bowl during your trip.
Kourantei Shimotori Main Store | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Kurokawa Onsen
This hot springs village sits along the same river that waters the rice paddies between the northern mountains of Aso. The entire hot springs area is designed seamlessly with nature, with each hilltop inn and connecting halls a separate annex that attaches to the next mountain hill.
Kurokawa Onsen really has the feel of a Japanese hot spring town!
The entire hot spring village is scattered throughout the valley along the Tanoharu River. Each ryokan is surrounded by forest, and although the town isn't large, it has plenty of character. Walking around feels like getting away from the city and taking a vacation in the mountains.
The most unique thing to do here is use the Nyuto Tegata hot spring pass. If you have enough time, I highly recommend buying one. You can choose three different ryokan to soak at, and experience each one's open-air baths without staying overnight. It's really fun to try different baths!
Each hot spring has its own features. Some are hidden in the woods, while others are beside the ravine. Soaking while taking in the mountain scenery creates a very relaxing atmosphere.
Kurokawa Onsen has also preserved traditional mixed-gender open-air baths, making it a very unique experience for anyone interested in traditional Japanese hot spring culture. -
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Kumamoto Ramen Kurotei Main Store
Kurotei, founded in 1957 in Kumamoto City, offers a continually evolving Kumamoto ramen experience. Their creamy, cloudy pork bone soup is paired with fragrant, charred garlic oil, maintaining the tradition of Kumamoto ramen while offering a one-of-a-kind taste. The pride of their soup is the use of low-fat pig's head bones, giving it a rich yet refreshing aftertaste.
One of Kumamoto's most famous ramen shops, the long-established Kurotei Ramen is definitely not to be missed! Kurotei's signature feature is its **rich tonkotsu broth + charred black garlic oil**. As soon as it arrives at the table, you can smell the intense garlic aroma, which is irresistibly fragrant.
This time, I ordered the signature **tonkotsu ramen + two raw egg yolks. Mixing the raw egg yolks into the piping-hot broth makes it even richer and smoother. Highly recommended if you like egg yolks! If you're not comfortable eating raw egg yolks, you can order a soft-boiled egg instead〜 There's also a version with double chashu, so meat lovers can go straight for that. The ramen itself is delicious. The broth is rich without feeling heavy, and the noodles are springy with just the right texture, without being overcooked. The charred black garlic oil on top is truly the soul of the whole bowl! The deeply roasted garlic flavor blends into the tonkotsu broth, taking the aroma to another level and making it more addictive with every bite.
Besides the ramen, the pan-fried dumplings and fried rice are also pretty good. If you're with a group, you can order them to share. -
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Kumamoto City Tram
Operated by the Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau, this streetcar system has long been a familiar form of public transport connecting the city center with key areas. It consists of two lines-the A Line and B Line-covering a wide range of destinations including the area around Kumamoto Castle, downtown shopping districts, Suizenji, and residential neighborhoods. For visitors, it’s an easy-to-understand and convenient way to get around the city.
When visiting Kumamoto, I don't think you necessarily need to rent a car. There are streetcars in the city, which are very convenient for independent travelers.
The Kumamoto City Tram has the A Line and B Line, connecting many popular places such as Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Castle, the downtown shopping districts, and the Suizenji area. Just check the routes to plan where you want to go. Transportation is relatively simple, without having to constantly figure out complicated bus routes.
I also really enjoy riding the streetcar. There's no need to drive or look for parking, and sitting on the streetcar watching the Kumamoto cityscape while slowly moving along really adds to the travel atmosphere. -
