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Kumamoto City
Kumamoto City is a thriving, vibrant metropolis noted for its progressive youth culture. A shoppers paradise, and historians dream, the city offers something for everyone.
Local delicacies:
Basashi - marbled, sliced raw horse meat is a centerpiece of Kumamoto cuisine and melts in the mouth like rich tuna
Higo Beef – low-fat Kumamoto beef from the brown cows that graze on the tender grass of Aso plains
Karashi-Renkon -deep-fried lotus root stuffed with miso-mustard paste. Crisp and pungent.
Taipi-en - a healthy bean-starch vermicelli
Higo Dengaku - tofu that is sliced, skewered, and charcoal grilled, then dipped in a special bean paste and sesame seed sauce.
Ramen - thick noodles – cooked into a rich pork and chicken stock
Seafood - fresh from the Sea of Ariake, fish and mussels that are not available inland are bountifully served in Kumamoto city restaurants.
And to drink:
Sake – the national alcoholic beverage brewed primarily from rice and often referred to as rice wine.... The Kumamoto sake is especially prized for its purity.
Kuma shochu – This Japanese spirit is of the highest quality, comparable to a fine Scotch or Brandy
Extraordinary local crafts:
Higo Inlays – 400-year old method of inlaying gold and silver into an iron base, originally to decoratethe sword guard, is still crafted today and treasured as beautiful jewelry and objects d’art.
Pottery - There are over 40 famous ceramic kilns located throughout the Prefecture, each one producing its own distinctive, unique style of ceramics.
Those from Kouda-yaki and Shodai-yaki wares are especially treasured and have been so for centuries.
Yamaga Toro –Intricately designed architectural lanterns made exclusively from Japanese gold paper, without any wood or metal.
Kutami Uchiwa - Japanese paper fans preserved with persimmon varnish.
Hanatebako – brilliantly hand-painted red boxes from the Hitoyoshi region feature a stylized camellia flower.
Shopping:
* Prefectural Traditional Crafts Hall is a best bet for local crafts.
* Kami-tori Street, Shimo-tori Street and Shinshigai Street in Kumamoto City form the major shopping area. The entire district, bustling with energy and activity, has become a thriving covered pedestrian arcade filled with everything from Nike's flagship Kumamoto City store to hipster boutiques, record stores, and Japanese food emporia.
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