“Hidden Village with Rich Nature and Culture” – Welcome to Hitoyoshi ~Food~ part 2
Onsen Discovery editorial here, how are you? ♪
For some of you who are not keen on alcohol, let's Discover some more goodies of Hitoyoshi besides shochu.
In Hitoyoshi, eels are another can’t-miss food.
Many Japanese food fans from different countries such as Taiwan and China come and visit this place.
People queuing for Uemura Unagi-ya
Reference: http://futchi910.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2014/05/jr-582a.html
Reference: https://tabelog.com/kumamoto/A4304/A430403/43000195/
At this restaurant, they cook eels fresh out of the water after receiving orders. (Expect more wait until your order is ready.)
But the taste is definitely worth the long wait!
Uemura Unagi-ya
Address: 129 Koyamachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan
Phone: +81-966-22-3312
Open: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last call 2:45 PM)
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM（Last call 8:45 PM）
Access: 10 min walk from JR Hitoyoshi Station or
15 min drive (about 3km) from Hitoyoshi IC via Prefectural Route 54
Holiday: Irregular
We also found this little lunch box. So cute!
Reference: http://www.tabirai.net/sightseeing/column/0000130.aspx
Kuri-meshi (Rice with sweet chestnuts) 1100 yen
Sweet chestnuts is another specialty of Hitoyoshi.
It has been a popular home-cooked dish in this area.
If you are lucky, you might be able to meet this gentleman who has been standing here selling homemade lunch boxes for 45 years!
Reference: http://www.tabirai.net/sightseeing/tatsujin/0000018.aspx
By the way, these lunch boxes you find at the stations are called "ekiben".
(eki = station, ben (bento) = lunch box)
Many people like to buy ekiben while traveling on a train.
We can say this already became a part of Japanese culture.
Popular ekiben ranking: https://retrip.jp/articles/2840/
Ekiben is full of goodies from the local area.
You can find ekiben at any major stations,
so try ekiben next time you travel with Railpass!
One more thing you must see while in Hitoyoshi is
"SL Hitoyoshi"!
Reference: http://kakuresatonoyu.jp/kankou.html
Look how cool it is!
SL Hitoyoshi is operated between Kumamoto Station and Hitoyoshi Station via JR Hisatsu Line.
It runs as a seasonal train towed by the old steam locomotive.
After almost 20 years of its operation since 1998,
SL Hitoyoshi was remodeled and now runs for new generations of local people and tourists.
More info about SL Hitoyoshi:
https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/slhitoyoshi/
Let's have ekiben
while watching the landscape go by from your train window♪
***Where to buy***
JR Hitoyoshi Station
Address: 300 Nakaaoimachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan
Open: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
How about trying some local snacks?
Reference:https://tabelog.com/kumamoto/A4304/A430403/43005389/
Misoman (86 yen/piece)
Reference:http://ameblo.jp/happy-rose-kirari2/entry-11954846028.html
It has a soft texture like steamed buns with a sweet filling mixed with Japanese Miso inside.
Can you taste Miso in the sweet bun?
***Where to buy***
Hamadaya
Address: 17 Koyamachi, Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Japan
Phone: +81-966-22-2078
Open: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Holiday: Sundays
We are going to Discover subculture of Hitoyoshi next time.
Don’t miss it!
