Travel

Kumamoto is a beautiful prefecture on the island of Kyushu, probably most well-known for the breathtaking Mount Aso and the historic Kumamoto Castle. But there’s much more to the region than that, including some lesser-known treats that don’t necessarily attract the biggest crowds. Here are some of the more unique and unusual sightseeing spots that are well worth a visit. Tonkakarin Tunnels Around 12 km north of the Kumamoto city center, you can find an eery set of human-made tunnels dug into the mountainside in a city called Tamana. The tunnels run for nearly 500 meters in total, varying in size from around 4 meters tall to ones so small that only a child could crawl through. The tunnels were discovered in the 1970s, and their creation remains a mystery today, with theories ranging from the practical (some believe they were aqueducts) to the supernatural. Even the name is a mystery, with one popular idea being that tonkakarin is the sound a stone makes when thrown into the tunnels. At the top of the tunnels, you will find a small shrine containing beautiful wood carvings. Address: 3481 Sagawa, Nagomi, Tamana, Kumamoto 865-0135 Komezuka Volcanic Hill This small volcanic cone is…