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Experience Sustainable Living in a Premier Organic Farming Region

Yamato Town, Kumamoto

Area Highlights

Yamato Town is situated in the heart of Kyushu, on the southern outer rim of the Aso Caldera, one of the largest calderas in the world. The town has a rich history of organic agriculture, boasting the highest number of JAS-certified organic farmers in Japan. Key attractions include the Tsujunkyo Bridge, a registered National Treasure built in the 18th century and the largest stone aqueduct in Japan. Even today, this popular tourist attraction is beautifully set amidst approximately 1 million square meters of rice paddies.

Access

From Hakata Bus Terminal or Fukuoka Airport International Terminal to Yamato Town on the Nishitetsu / Miyazaki Kotsu Highway Bus ‘Gokase-go’ (2 hours - 2 hours and 20 minutes)
From Sakura-machi Bus Terminal (Kumamoto City) to Hamamachi Chuo by Kumamoto Bus bound for Tsujun Sanso (1 hour and 30 minutes - 2 hours)

Contact

Yamato Farmstay Committee

Recommended Accommodation

Compass labo YAMATO

With the mantra "beauty from the inside out,” this guest house offers you the chance to experience the charm of Yamato Town by preparing vegetable-centered local cuisine that cleanses the body. The owner also operates an esthetic salon in Kumamoto City, and guests can experience a selection of the salon’s offerings in a dedicated room in the house. A key highlight is the Japanese cypress bath.

  • Address :

    216 Ashiyada, Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)90-2500-4882

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese

  • Access :

    5-minute drive from Yamato-cho bus stop

  • Check-in :

    3:00 p.m.

  • Check-out :

    10:00 a.m.

  • Rates :

    From ¥6,600 per night without meals

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    None

  • Bedroom :

    Available for up to 7 persons, 2 western-style twin bedrooms, 1 Japanese-style 3-futon room, no key

  • Bathroom :

    Bathtub available, Japanese cypress bath only available in the evenings, showers available (from check-in until check-out), no key

  • Toilet :

    Western style

  • Meals :

    Dinner, Breakfast (as a cooking experience or catered)

  • Wi-Fi :

    Available

Recommended Accommodation

Seiwa Kogen no Yado

Seiwa Kogen no Yado is located 700 meters above sea level on the southern outer rim of Mount Aso. This prime location offers breathtaking panoramic views of the starry sky from 10 cozy lodge-type accommodations. Each room features a terrace and loft, and cooking utensils are available for rent, allowing guests to prepare their own meals. Additionally, guests can enjoy astronomical observation.

  • Address :

    1238-14 Imuta, Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)967-82-3300

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese

  • Access :

    30-minute drive from Yamato-cho bus stop

  • Check-in :

    3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. *Please contact the facility if you will be late.

  • Check-out :

    10:00 a.m.

  • Rates :

    From ¥6,100 per night without meals, from ¥11,100 per night with dinner

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB/Diners Club/DISCOVER

  • Bedroom :

    Lockable cottage for up to 5 persons. 2 western beds, 3 Japanese futons.

  • Bathroom :

    Lockable bathroom available, bathtub available (from check-in until check-out)

  • Toilet :

    Western style

  • Meals :

    Dinner (light breakfast, guests are welcome to bring their own food)

  • Wi-Fi :

    Available

Recommended Restaurant

Motosatsumaya

Dine at this 150-year-old kappo cuisine restaurant offering traditional mountain village dishes made with seasonal local vegetables, mountain stream fish, game meat, and other delicious ingredients. Enjoy lunch and dinner courses featuring seasonal ingredients, starting at ¥4,000 per person. Locally produced sake pairings are also available. Reservations are required.

  • Address :

    132 Hamamachi, Yamato-machi, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)967-72-0006

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese

  • Access :

    5-minute walk from Yamato-cho bus stop, 3-minute walk from Hamamachi Chuo bus stop

  • Opening Hours :

    Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–last order at 1:30 p.m., Dinner: 5:30 p.m.–last order at 7:30 p.m.

  • Closed :

    New Year’s holiday

  • Cuisine :

    Japanese cuisine, formal kaiseki cuisine

  • Foreign Language Menu :

    Not available

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/JCB

Recommended Experience

Miso Making Workshop *Minimum 5 persons

Miso is a traditional Japanese food made by fermenting soybeans, rice, wheat, and other grains with salt and koji. This unique workshop allows visitors to try their hand at making this Japanese kitchen staple. The ingredients include soybeans grown in Yamato Town and rice koji made from pesticide-free rice. Enjoy the taste of your very own additive-free, handmade miso!

  • Address :

    Shiraono District, Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)90-1167-3355 (Yamato Farmstay Committee)

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese

  • Access :

    10-minute drive from Yamato-cho bus stop

  • Duration :

    4 hours *Only during winter from October to March

  • Fee :

    ¥6,000

  • Languages Supported :

    Japanese

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    None

Recommended Experience

Seiwa Bunraku Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theater Experience and Ten-layer Bento Box Lunches

Ningyo Joruri is one of Japan's renowned traditional performing arts, registered as a Kumamoto Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Heritage. Seiwa Bunraku-kan is the only place in the prefecture where you can experience Ningyo Joruri, offering captivating performances, opportunities to see the puppets up close, and try your hand at playing the shamisen and tsuzumi drums. For meals, a special ten-layer bento box lunch is available.

  • Address :

    152 Ohira, Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)967-82-3001

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese only

  • Access :

    15-minute taxi ride from Yamato-cho bus stop to Seiwa Bunraku-kan

  • Duration :

    5 hours

  • Fee :

    ¥18,000

  • Languages Supported :

    Japanese, English

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB/Diners Club/DISCOVER

Recommended Experience

Farming activities、farming experience

In the eco-friendly haven of Yamato town, visitors can experience harvesting exclusively organic, chemical-free, and specially cultivated agricultural products. Tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, and other produce are available from July to October, and root and leafy vegetables are available from December to March. Arrangements can be made to harvest more than one crop, or to include lunch.

  • Address :

    Within Yamato Town, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture (to be confirmed at the time of reservation)

  • Telephone Number :

    090-1167-3355(Yamato Farmstay Committee)

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese

  • Access :

    5 – 30-minute drive from Yamato-cho bus stop

  • Duration :

    1 – 3 hours

  • Fee :

    3,000 – 7,000 yen

  • Languages supported :

    Japanese

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    None

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