Tamana, an elegant town where the fragrance of Japanese irises takes you back to the old days

By mid-May, the beautiful purple and white irises are in full bloom in Tamana City, making it even more a scenic town. If you go out into the town, there are many attractions such as the historical hot springs, a restaurant where you can enjoy one of Kumamoto’s famous ramen, and a place related to the first Japanese Olympic athlete. It takes only 10 minutes by bullet train from the neighboring city of Kumamoto. Why don’t you make a time trip to Tamana City where history and nature are in harmony?

Meet and savor the origin of Kumamoto ramen
Tamana ramen is characterized by rich pork bone soup, medium thin noodles and roasted garlic. There is an uncountable number of people who were fascinated by this taste, which is said to be the root of Kumamoto ramen. The city is a battlefield for ramen shops. Enjoy the delicious taste of each restaurant.
Have a relaxing time at two fascinating hot springs
Tamana hot spring
A hot spring resort with over 1300 years of history. It is said that the clear and colorless water with a smooth spring quality is effective for nerve pain. Also, you won’t easily feel cold even after a long bath. You should also try the free foot bath in the Ryuganji Park in the hot spring town.
Oama hot spring
“I would like to try a Japanese-style trip, and I remember going to Oama...” (Kinnosuke Natsume, London) – A hot spring resort that was also the setting of Soseki Natsume’s masterpiece “Kusamakura”. From the "Kusamakura Hot Spring Tensui" that stands on the hill of the orange garden overlooking the Ariake Sea, you can see as far as Mt. Unzen on a sunny day.
Nostalgic thought of “Idaten” in Shiso Kanakuri residence and museum
The house where Shiso Kanakuri, the first Japanese Olympic athlete and the "Father of the Japanese Marathon," spent his later years.Looking at the veranda where he sunbathed and the hand pump that he used for cold bath, you can imagine how he used to live in Tamana. The annex that was built as a retirement room is now a museum. Nearby there is also a grave where he rests with his wife Suya and his family.
Access
Bullet train: About 10 minutes from Kumamoto Station to Shin-Tamana Station by Kyushu Shinkansen
Local train: About 30 minutes from Kumamoto Station to Tamana Station by JR Kagoshima Line
Bus: About 70 minutes by bus from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal to Tamana
Car: About 15 minutes from Kikusui IC on the Kyushu Expressway
http://tamana-tamatebako.net

Tamana, an elegant town where the fragrance of Japanese irises takes you back to the old days

Tamana Tourism Association, Inc.: 0968-72-5313

Tamana City Tourism and products section: 0968-73-2222

Tamana, an elegant town where the fragrance of Japanese irises takes you back to the old days

Meet and savor the origin of Kumamoto ramen

Have a relaxing time at two fascinating hot springs

Tamana hot spring

Oama hot spring

Nostalgic thought of “Idaten” in Shiso Kanakuri residence and museum

Access