Official Website: <\/strong><\/td>Maruoka Park<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFukano Brewery: The Taste of the Hitoyoshi Kuma Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Our next stop leads us to the Fukano Brewery in Hitoyoshi, where you can taste the unique taste of the Hitoyoshi Kuma Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 1823 by Fukano Tokiji, the brewery has adhered to the traditional method of making\u00a0kame<\/em>\u00a0(turtle) pottery, which they have used for over 150 years since the end of the Edo period (1603\u20131867) to brew their Kuma shochu. Kuma shochu, a rice-based shochu, has a mellow taste and rich aroma. Above this, Kuma shochu is vegan-friendly<\/strong> and was rewarded with the world\u2019s first vegan certification for shochu in June 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe brewery tour allows visitors to visit the shochu distillery and join a shochu tasting. Then, end the tour in the retail store to take the taste of this shochu home with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn addition to rice shochu, the Fukano Brewery also offers other popular products, such as vegetable shochu, made of 27 types of locally-grown vegetables and 5 types of grains. Another highlight is their coffee liqueur that perfectly blends Kuma shochu with organically grown coffee beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAddress:<\/strong><\/td>333 Gonoharumachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto 868-0026 <\/td><\/tr> Opening Hours:<\/strong><\/td>9:00 am \u2013 4:30 pm Closed on Saturdays and Sundays Closed from Dec 29th to Jan 4th<\/td><\/tr> Entrance Fee: <\/strong><\/td>Free; Tour reservation in advance is required<\/td><\/tr> Official Website:<\/strong><\/td>Fukano Brewery<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHimawari-tei: Exploring the Local Cuisine, Suitable For Vegetarians and Vegans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s time to grab some food! The local direct vegetables market offers a variety of delicious fresh vegetables and fruits that have grown lush in the climate of the Hitoyoshi Basin with its fluctuating temperatures and the water from the tributaries that lead to the Kuma River. You can find organic cabbage, eggplants, tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you prefer to get some inspiration for what to cook with the vegetables from the direct market, visit Himawari-tei. This farm-to-table restaurant is housed in a 120-year-old restored traditional Japanese house. Himawari-tei focuses on local vegan cuisine and offers vegan cooking classes that use local ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\nLocal products are used during the vegan cooking classes at Himawari-tei.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe dishes of Himawari-tei are made by local \u201coba-chan\u201d (grandmothers), using fresh, safe, and reliable ingredients sourced from the surrounding area of Hitoyoshi and Kuma. Dishes of Himawari-tei feature five key points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n1. Locally-grown rice with reduced pesticides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n 2. No use of chemical seasonings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n 3. It avoids ingredients with a lot of additives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n 4. Locally-sourced, traceable, and identifiable wild vegetables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n 5. Menu focuses on vegetable-centered and well-balanced meals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIf you want to learn more about the concept of Himawari-tei, Setsu Honda, the facility director, will be happy to listen to your questions. Honda-san, a sustainability activist who revitalizes the \u201cwisdom, experience, skill, and sensibility\u201d of local grandmothers, considered community assets, is dedicated to contributing to the local community. Through food, education, promoting women\u2019s entrepreneurship, and encouraging green tourism, she overcame the natural disaster in 2020 and is making the Himawari-tei to a welcoming spot for tourists of the Hitoyoshi Kuma Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAddress:<\/strong><\/td>1880-2 Yaguromachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0075<\/td><\/tr> Opening Hours:<\/strong><\/td>Monday – Wednesday: 11:00 am \u2013 2:30 pm Fri\/ Sat: 11:00 am \u2013 2:30 pm Closed on Thursdays and Sundays Closed from December 29th to January 3rd<\/td><\/tr> Prices: <\/strong><\/td>Menu prices are between 1,080 yen and 2,160 yen. Children’s lunch set for 870 yen. Reservations for evening meals required<\/td><\/tr> Official Website:<\/strong><\/td>Himawari-tei<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Get There?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The easiest way to get to the area of Hitoyoshi Kuma is to take the Kyushu Shinkansen from Kumamoto Station to Shin-Yatsushiro Station. Then, transfer to the bus for the direction of Miyazaki Eki. Get off at Hitoyoshi InterChange. From there, it\u2019s a 25-minute walk to, or a bus ride to Hitoyoshi station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n