Kikuchi: Kikuchi Gorge and Kijochi Castle - Clear Streams, Negative Ions, and Ancient Romance

An ambitious day-long course through clear streams, forests, and ancient romance in Kikuchi in northern Kumamoto Prefecture. Start your morning at Kikuchi Gorge, where Aso's underground spring water flows. Walking the footpath where the sound of rapids echoes through broad-leaved forest fills your heart and body with negative ions. From the hilltop Kikuchi Shrine honoring the Kikuchi clan, overlook the castle town, then enjoy a lunch of the famous soft-boiled egg over rice at Cocco Farm Tamago-an. In the afternoon, visit Kijochi Castle Historical Park to see the restored ancient mountain fortress from some 1,300 years ago, gazing up at the octagonal drum tower rising from the grassland. Finish at the charmingly melon-roofed Michi no Eki Shichijo Melon Dome for ripe melon soft serve and shopping for Kikuchi rice souvenirs. A journey packed tight with water, greenery, history, and flavor awaits you in Kikuchi.