Explore Kumamoto

Arao area & sights

Arao area

About the Arao area

Arao 荒尾市 is a small city right at the top of Kumamoto prefecture, situated about 45 minutes by train from Kumamoto City, with a population of around 50,000. The Arao area has several sights worth seeing including a world heritage sight. Arao was famed as a mining town, however, when the pit closed in the 1990’s the population of the city declined rapidly. Recently the Miike Coal Mine, was listed as a World Heritage Site. Arao is also home to a popular theme park in Kyushu; Mitsui Greenland。

The towns of Tamana 玉名市 and Nagomi 和水町 border Arao. The Kikuchi river runs through Tamana and at one time it was a very prosperous trading area. These days it is well known for its pungent Tamana ramen and its iris festival held in early summer.

Nagomi town is known for its ancient tumuli , known as kofun in Japanese, and the craft village of Higo Minkamura. Located by the Kikuchi river there are a variety of traditional buildings, some of which operate as workshops for local craftsmen. There is also a museum about the Eta Funayama kofun and its treasures.

In terms of nature, Arao’s coastal mud flats have protected Ramsar status due to its unique ecological habitat and important feeding grounds for a variety of water birds.

Arao is also home to another rare breed, a traditional Japanese swordsmith who allows you to visit his workshop.

arao swordsmith workshop
nihonto master

Samurai swords Tour

The Samurai Swords Tour; a unique chance to talk to and see a famous swordsmith at work, watch a display of sword cutting skills and learn how to wield a real katana yourself.

Arao shoudai yaki

Arao’s well known products are the Arao Nashi – a large, sweet Japanese pear which fruits from late summer to early autumn and the traditional Shoudai Pottery, a type of stonewear which has been produced in the area for over a thousand years.

Places to visit in the Arao area

Below are activities and sights you can explore in and around the Arao area including the neighbouring town of Nagomi area. Click on the picture links to find out more. If you are interested in visiting any of these places on a customised guided tour contact Explore Kumamoto for a quote.

nagomi, kumamoto
Tonkararin If you love a good mystery - or dark, narrow spaces! - , then you are bound to be intrigued by Tonkararin. The many questions surrounding Tonkararin  serve to make the site more interesting and you cannot help but come up with your own theories as you explore. Tonkararin is so mysterious ...read on
arao sights theme park Kumamoto
One of the largest theme parks on the island of Kyushu, Mitsui Greenland dominates the small city of Arao an hour's drive north of Kumamoto. Here's what the experts from Theme Park Review have to say about it: Mitsui Greenland offers something for just about everybody on one big piece ...read on
The World Heritage Manda Pit, also known as the  Manda Kou in Japanese, is part of the Miike Coal Mine, which was once the largest coal mine in Japan. The mine played a huge role in enabling Japan's modernisation during the Meiji era and war years, producing 10% of Japan's coal. ...read on
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