Yatsushiro

Tucked along Kyushu’s western coastline, the quiet port city of Yatsushiro greeted me with sunshine and a sense of calm. As part of a cruise stop, I had signed up for an excursion that would take us well beyond the port itself. Our first major stop was Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s most impressive historic fortresses. Even after suffering damage during past earthquakes, its reconstructed structures and interior museum gave me a real feel for feudal Japan. I walked the perimeter and explored the multi-story interior, which now functions as a modern museum with exhibits on samurai armor, weaponry, and the castle’s turbulent past.

Afterwards, our motorcoach took us to Suizenji Jojuen, a beautifully maintained Japanese garden in Kumamoto City. This place felt like stepping into a painting. Carefully sculpted hills, koi-filled ponds, and scenic bridges created the kind of peaceful escape you only find in traditional gardens. I even spotted a heron standing perfectly still on a rock like it was part of the landscape.

But the highlight for me came at the end of the day back at Kumamon Port Yatsushiro. If you’re unfamiliar, Kumamon is a wildly popular bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture. At the port, he’s everywhere. I mean everywhere. Statues of him peeked out from behind bushes, lounged in cafes, hid along paths, and stood in rows like a plush army. I had fun trying to spot them all, and yes, I snapped a selfie with the one representing the Dragon zodiac, brcause that’s my sign.

The whole day was lighthearted, scenic, and packed with little surprises. Yatsushiro may not be on everyone’s radar, but between the historic sites and quirky mascot madness, it definitely left an impression.