Go to Hitoyoshi along the Kuma River

After taking pictures of the Kumagawa Railway Bridge No.1, we want further go down to Hitoyoshi to see the castle ruins. We decided to take a drive to the National Highway 219. It is along the Kuma River, considered to be one of the three most rapid rivers of Japan (the other two being Mogami River and Fuji River). When we went into the Kuma Village (球磨村) , we're out of the national highway once and took the riverside road. It's a very narrow mountainous road with some gentle curves,but it's a fun.

The Kyusen-do (cave) Shinrin-kan Edison Museum (球泉洞森林館エジソンミュージアム), one of Japan's largest limestone cave, is located in the basement of Mount Gongen. Some places are open to the public, but if you want to go to the second cave which is a part of the route leading up to 200m below underground, you must wear a helmet and follow the instructions of staff. There is a storage provided for aging a local sake, called Kuma-shochu (球磨焼酎), you can keep your favorite Kuma-shochu up to 20 years.

Taking a short break here, we kept running to Hitoyoshi. Deep mountains and the rapid river continue for a while. The Kumagawa-kudari (球磨川下り) pleasure boat, as known for sightseeing spot in Kumamoto prefecture. About 70,000 tourists take a ride on the river every year. I hope I want to see that boat. Unfortunately, I couldn't see it at all this day.

Returning the national highway from Isshochi (一勝地), and we arrived at Hitoyoshi Castle at 1 o'clock.

To be continued..