Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

[Tsubame 322] Kumamoto - Shin Tosu  (35m) ETD: 12.11pm (GMT + 9) ETA:  12.46pm (GMT + 9) On the last day of the validity of our 5-day JR Northern Kyushu Area Pass, my BFFs and I departed Kumamoto for Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo. We took the shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) from Kumamoto railway station to Shin Tosu railway station, and then changed to the orange-bodied Huis Ten Bosch train to our final destination.

Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, Japan Being the capital city of one of the prefectures in Kyushu that shares the same name, Kumamoto covers a total area of approximately 390 square kilometres. Having an abundant supply of high quality underground water, it's the place where the tradition of eating basashi (lit. raw horse meat) began, although nowadays the horse meat is considered a delicacy.

8-2 Tetorihoncho, Tsuruya Department Store, Chuo, Kumamoto, Japan Daily: 10.00am - 7.00pm Who hasn't seen Kumamon before? Created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture in 2010 to draw tourists to the region after the opening of Kyushu Shinkansen line, the black bear has been enjoying tremendous popularity not only in Japan, but also throughout the world. When in town, you can see it in action at Kumamon Square.

1-1 Honmaru, Chuo, Kumamoto, Japan Sun & Public Holidays: 9.00am - 5.00pm [till end March 2020] Kumamoto Castle is one of the most impressive castles in Japan, even though only a few structures have survived since its construction in the early 1600s. Unfortunately, it has sustained serious damages from a series of violent earthquakes in April 2016. At the point of writing, the castle complex is undergoing extensive restoration that may take up to 20 years to complete.

1-14-19 Kasuga, Nishi, Kumamoto, Japan From eastern Kyushu, we shall move on to Kumamoto that's located in the central region of the island. The Route Inn group was founded in 1977, currently operating many branches across the country. One of which is Hotel Route Inn Kumamoto Ekimae (3*) is just a few minutes away from Kumamoto railway station.