Last Updated: Jul 21, 2024

Kyushu’s Kuma Valley

The Historic Castle Town of Hitoyoshi

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium.

Welcome back to another installment of getting far off the beaten path. In this issue, we’ll be exploring a hidden gem in Kyushu known as the Kuma Valley. This area essentially maps to the confines of Hitoyoshi City (or more commonly, Hitoyoshi-Kuma to distinguish it from other locales with the same name). This part of Kumamoto Prefecture has a long and storied legacy. Formerly the stronghold of the Sagara clan, this region of Japan boasts centuries of history. Moreover, the region has earned the nickname the “Little Kyoto” of Kumamoto.

Before we dive into how to explore the Kuma Valley, where to stay, and what to do, let’s first take a moment to cover the backstory of the region. As mentioned, Hitoyoshi-Kuma was once a castle town ruled by the Sagara clan. Although not often highlighted in history books, this family of daimyo was one of the wealthiest in Kyushu and reigned over the Kuma Valley from the start of the Kamakura period (1185–1333) to the beginning of the Meiji period. All in all, that is quite a run, especially considering that the Sagara clan’s hold on power survived Japan’s bloody century of civil war!

In addition to its rich history, the Kuma Valley is also blessed with bountiful nature. Surrounded on all…