Notice about New Year opening hours for the Manda Pit area. Today is the last day of operations for 2025. Thank you to everyone who visited in 2025. We will reopen on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM. The winter light filtering through the brick scenery creates a quiet, photogenic moment. Don’t forget your camera. 🕘 Opening day Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM • Manda Pit Station • Manda Pit Site • Manda Coal Mine Museum • Marugoto Arao Bussankan Hours 11:00–16:30 Mornings, especially early hours, are often a peaceful time to explore, so we recommend them. All our staff look forward to welcoming you. Please add this to your plans #Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture https://arao-kankou.jp/oshirase/16514/...

“Majakki” LINE stickers Volume 2 are now on sale!! Arao City’s mascot character “Majakki” appears in an adorable pixel style! Please enjoy and use the Majakki LINE stickers delivered from Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture!! Majakki Pixel Stickers - LINE Stickers | LINE STORE Production: Arao City Tourism Association https://line.me/S/shop/sticker/author/5551850...

Arao City mascot character “Majakki” LINE stickers released!! Arao City mascot character “Majakki” LINE stickers are ready‼ https://line.me/S/sticker/31230300... Majakki Stickers - LINE Stickers | LINE STORE Produced by: Arao City Tourism Association In July 2005, the majaku was selected as Arao City’s official fish. The majaku (anajako), Arao City’s fish, is a shrimp species that lives in tidal flats and has long been loved as a relative of hermit crabs. Born on July 3 (Arao Tidal Flat Day), Majakki is the prince of the majaku world! He appears around Arao to meet many people and promote the wonders of the tidal flats. Majakki works hard to bring smiles to Arao residents and visitors alike! Please enjoy these Majakki LINE stickers, featuring phrases in the Kumamoto Arao dialect‼ https://line.me/S/sticker/31230300...

Stamp Rally Touring Kumamoto’s World Heritage Sites! Collect stamps completed by visiting Misumi West Port, Manda Pit, Sakitsu Village, and more, and receive a clear file‼ To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the World Cultural Heritage Sites “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution,” we are holding a stamp rally that visits the World Heritage sites and component properties within Kumamoto Prefecture. Visit Manda Pit and Misumi West Port, component properties of the World Cultural Heritage Site “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution,” and Sakitsu Village, a component property of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region and Amakusa,” and tour Kumamoto City to fully discover the charms of Kumamoto! Collect all the stamps to receive exclusive World Heritage goods. Please see below for details. Event Period From Saturday, July 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025 Opening Hours and Closed Days for Each Facility Manda Mine Station: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: Mondays (if a Monday is a public holiday, closed the following weekday) Misumi-West Port Urashima-ya: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: none Sakitsu Village Guidance Center: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed days during the event period: none Stamp Locations (5 spots in total) Manda Mine Station (Arao City) Misumi-West Port Urashima-ya (Uki City) Sakitsu Village Guidance Center (Amakusa City) Waiting Room on the Shinkansen Platform Side at kumamoto station (Kumamoto City) Sakura Machi Kumamoto, 2nd Floor Concourse (Kumamoto City) ‼Those who complete the rally will receive exclusive World Heritage goods‼ If you collect all the stamps, please show the completed design to staff at one of the facilities below. You will receive exclusive World Heritage goods. Locations to Receive Limited Goods • Manda Mine Station • JR Misumi Station Tourist Information Center (note: different from the stamp location) • Sakitsu Village Guidance Center Participation Fee Free Inquiries Regional Development Division, Tourism and Cultural Exchange Division, World Heritage and Cultural Exchange Office Phone 0968-63-1274

Local keychain 4th edition now on sale! The 4th edition features Arao’s local mascot, Majakki☆彡 You’ll find Majakki biting into an Arao pear and Majakki reenacting the Toten Festival, and many more designs! Each piece comes with a variety of stands, so they double as acrylic stands in a 2-way keychain(^O^)／ Nine designs in total On sale at Marugoto Arao Product Center! Please stop by ♪ Marugoto Arao Product Center Business hours 11:00–16:30 Closed every Monday (if a holiday, closed the following weekday)

The World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” Card Rally 2025 is now underway! July 1 (Tuesday)–September 30 (Tuesday) World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” Card Rally 2025: 38 cards in all Event period: July 1, 2025 (Tuesday)–September 30, 2025 (Tuesday) Celebrating the 10th anniversary of World Heritage registration! Set off on an adventure through eight prefectures and 11 cities! The industrial revolution that laid the foundations of modern Japan took place from the late Edo period through the Meiji era. The factories, mines, and shipyards that served as its stages remain across the country as the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution, now listed as a World Cultural Heritage. We are holding a special program to enjoy these history-rich industrial sites: the World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” Card Rally 2025! At the designated component sites and related facilities, you can collect cards featuring illustrations of things and people closely connected to the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. Collect the normal cards available at each facility and get a rare card! Collect specific cards to receive limited-edition cards and premium card holders (quantities limited). From young children to history-loving adults, this event offers both learning and collecting fun. Plus, add the official LINE account as a friend, and a robot named Gear-kun will appear to help you collect cards via LINE! With Gear-kun you can check your digital card collection and easily make inquiries about the card rally via LINE, making it very convenient! This summer, enjoy exploring industrial heritage sites while encountering the passion and technology of the late Edo through the Meiji era. For details, please check the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution 10th Anniversary Special Site.” Inquiries about the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution World Heritage Council: 099-286-2363 Inquiries about the card rally (general) Organizing Office: 050-2030-7388 Normal card pickup locations — 8 prefectures, 11 cities nationwide Hagi Reverberatory Furnace Guide Hut [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Emisugahana Shipyard Guide Hut [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Obanayama Tatara Museum [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Shigetsuki Park Ticket Booth (Site of Hagi Castle) [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Shoin Shrine Treasure House Shiseikan [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Shoko Shuseikan (Former Shuseikan Foundry Site) Slope [Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture] Former Kagoshima Spinning Mill Engineer’s House (Ijinkan) [Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture] Sekiyoshi Local Products Center [Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture] Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace Guidance Center Reception [Izunokuni, Shizuoka Prefecture] Hashino Iron Mining Information Center or Iron History Museum [Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture] Sano Tsunetami and the Miezu Naval Arsenal Site History Museum or Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum [Saga City, Saga Prefecture] Gunkanjima Museum or Kosuge Shu Shipyard Site [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Gunkanjima Digital Museum [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Nagasaki Port Terminal [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Takashima Coal Museum [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Takashima Kita-kei Mine nearest bus stop [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Gunkanjima Museum [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] World Heritage Visitor Center [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Miyahara Pit [Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture] Manda Pit Station [Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture] — located inside Manda Pit Station. Coal mine train shelter [Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ※Installed inside the paid area of Manda Pit; on rainy days, after checking your mine entry ticket, staff at the Manda Pit entrance will hand it to you. Omuta City Coal Industry Science Museum [Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture] Ryujokan [Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture] Former Main Office Viewing Area, Imperial Ironworks, Yawata [Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture] Ongagawa Water Source Pump Room Information Center (inside Nakama City Community Exchange Center) [Nakama, Fukuoka Prefecture] Manda Pit Station 200-2 Haramanda, Arao City, Kumamoto 864-0001 Phone: 0968-57-9155 Closed: Every Monday (if a holiday, the following weekday), December 29–January 3 Manda Pit site tours: Adults 410 yen, high school students 310 yen, elementary/middle school students 210 yen Manda Pit Station exhibition room and DVD screening room tours: Free Parking: Free Bus-only parking [5 large, 3 medium] 72 standard car spaces A motorcycle-only parking area is also available https://diginal.co.jp/card_rally/...

The third edition of our local keychains has been on sale to great acclaim since July! For this edition, none other than Kumamon has come to Arao City! Kumamon appears with Arao City’s attractions and local specialties! Each design includes a stand, so the keychain doubles as an acrylic stand — a 2-way keychain (^O^)／ Nine varieties in total Available at Marugoto Arao Local Products Center! Please stop by ♪ Marugoto Arao Local Products Center Business hours 11:00–16:30 Closed every Monday (if a public holiday, closed the following weekday)

Thank you for waiting!! This year again, a fresh-picked corn sale will take place at Kaigobaru Vegetable Fields (kaigobaru yasai batake). Corn you harvest yourself tastes exceptional. Come enjoy the flavors of summer with everyone!! Date: Saturday and Sunday, July 5–6, 2025, 9:00–15:00 *Held in light rain; ends when sold out* Location: Kaigobaru Vegetable Fields (Kaba 1828) Price: On sale — 150 yen per ear What to bring: Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, plastic shopping bags, small change Contact: Kaigobaru Hometown Lovers Association 090-7534-2621: Ikematsu (hours 9:00–17:00) Notes: - If you’ll harvest corn, we recommend clothes that can get dirty, work gloves, and rubber boots. - Bringing an eco bag is also recommended. - No advance registration required. - Held in light rain (in bad weather sales may be limited to produce only). - The event ends when stock runs out. Kaigobaru Vegetable Fields (next to Arao Olive Village)

"Arao Tideland Day" Commemorative Tideland Wildlife Observation Event Saturday, July 5, 2025 Arao Tideland is home to many creatures such as crabs and hermit crabs. Come and learn the names and characteristics of tideland wildlife you don't usually see. Date and time: Saturday, July 5, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM (Registration from 9:00 AM)※Canceled in case of severe weather Backup date: Sunday, July 6 Location: Arao Tideland Waterfowl and Wetland Center Participants: Families including elementary and junior high school students Capacity: First 15 groups, free of charge What to bring: Rubber boots, work gloves, water bottle, hat (for heatstroke prevention), writing materials How to apply: Apply by phone Application start: Monday, June 2, from 9:00 AM Contact and application: Secretariat of the Arao Tideland Conservation and Wise Use Council Phone: 0968-63-1386 (Environmental Conservation Division)"

Shiyama Shrine "Wish-Setting Festival: Passing Through the Chino-wa (Ring of Miscanthus)" Friday, June 13, 2025, from 10:00 AM [Ritual] From 10:00 AM on Friday, June 13, 2025 [Chino-wa Crossing] From Friday the 13th until 4:00 PM on Sunday the 15th At Shiyama Shrine on the 13th, the Wish-Setting Festival and the Great Purification of Midsummer will take place. Anyone may attend the shrine ritual on the day. If you visit Shiyama Shrine 20 to 10 minutes before the ritual begins, you can receive a katashiro (paper human) for the katashiro ceremony. In the katashiro ceremony, write your name and age on the paper doll (hitokata), breathe on it and stroke it, transfer and cleanse half of this year’s sins and impurities, and pray for good health and a safe summer for the rest of the year. For vehicle katashiro, write the owner’s name and the vehicle number, stroke the vehicle body or key to cleanse impurities and misfortune, and pray for safe driving. When you leave the katashiro at Shiyama Shrine, prayers for good health and traffic safety will be offered at the Wish-Setting Festival. From the 13th until 4:00 PM on the 15th, the Chino-wa Crossing will be held. Pass through the large ring made of kaya (miscanthus) leaves to cleanse the sins and impurities of the past six months, and pray for health and safety for the remaining six months—this traditional event is part of the midsummer Great Purification observed at many shrines across the country at the year’s midpoint. Shiyama Shrine 818 Oshima, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture 864-0057 Phone: 0968-62-1390 A 15-minute walk from Arao Station on the JR Kagoshima Main Line

Tailor Ride Experience on the Arao Tidal Flats! Come and enjoy the Arao tidal flats with their beautiful scenery, sea breeze, and ocean scent. Ride a “tailor,” a vehicle used in Ariake Bay, and experience driving across the Arao tidal flats! A tailor is a rototiller fitted with a cargo bed, used for nori farming and clam harvesting. You can also enjoy observing creatures like crabs and hermit crabs! Advance registration is required for this experience! Registration opens on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Don’t forget your rubber boots!!! Meeting place: Arao Tidal Flats Waterfowl and Wetland Center Duration: About 50 minutes from the pre-ride briefing to disembarking (ride time about 10 minutes each way) Fees: Adults (high school students and older) 1,000 yen, junior high and elementary school students 600 yen, preschoolers free. Children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. How to apply: Apply by phone to the Arao Tidal Flats Waterfowl and Wetland Center ☏0968-57-7444 Registration start date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 One application covers up to six people per representative, and you cannot change the scheduled date after applying. Please apply again if you need a different date. ・Please bring rubber boots. If you do not have rubber boots, you will not be allowed to ride the tailor. ・The event will proceed in light rain but will be canceled in severe weather. If lightning occurs, the event will be canceled even during the activity.

At the Arao Omoyai Civic Flowerbed, rose viewing events take place twice a year in spring and autumn! Location: Beside Arao City Oshima Purification Center (Oshima 4-chome 1-73, Arao City) Admission: Free Opening hours April to September 7:00–18:00 (Roses typically bloom from late April through June) October to March 7:00–17:00 (Roses typically bloom from late October through November) Notes for visitors There are no restrooms on the grounds. Be careful: the ground can become muddy in rainy weather. Access Due to the extension work on the Ariake Coastal Road, the entrance and exit for the Omoyai Civic Flowerbed will be changed from January 9, 2024 (Reiwa 6) for the time being. Please take care when visiting. Follow the directions on the on-site information boards for passage.

Introducing Arao’s local specialties If you’ve come all the way to Arao, you’ll want to take home a souvenir or keepsake that you can only find here. Here are Arao’s signature specialties and some tasty local treats worth trying. Shodai-yaki pottery Perfect for interiors and everyday tableware alike Shodai-yaki, a pottery tradition passed down in Arao for about 400 years, is made from high-quality clay dug from the foothills of Mount Kodai, east of Arao City. Its style combines the high artistry recognized as a traditional Japanese craft with a rustic charm that enhances food and flowers, making these pieces very popular for daily use. Alongside large plates and vases, you’ll find teacups and coffee cups in abundance. Find the piece that speaks to you. Shodai-yaki kilns in Arao City ・Shodaiyaki Fumoto-gama, master: Yasuaki Inoue Fumotoaza Furuhata 1728-1, Arao City TEL:0968-68-0456 ・Shodai-yaki Shirohei Kiln, master: Nobuaki Kijima Oshima 25-3, Arao City TEL:0968-62-0538 ・Kodai-yaki Sueyasu Kiln, master: Eisuke Sueyasu Fumoto 1712-2, Arao City TEL:0968-68-0058 ・Shodai-yaki Naka-Dera Kiln, master: Kousei Nishikawa Kaba 1192, Arao City TEL:0968-68-7326 ・Shodai Mizuho Pottery, master: Rui Fukuda Kamihirayama 914, Arao City TEL:0968-66-2380 ・Kodai Hontani Chihiro Kiln, master: Tomohiro Maeno Kawatou 2131-74, Arao City TEL:0968-68-6459 https://arao-kankou.jp/sightseeing/specialty/#:~:text=%E8%8D%92%E5%B0%BE%E7%89%A9%E7%94%A3%E9%A4%A8-,%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B%E3%81%94%E3%81%A8%E3%81%82%E3%82%89%E3%81%8A%E7%89%A9%E7%94%A3%E9%A4%A8,-%E7%89%A9%E7%94%A3%E9%A4%A8%E3%80%81%E5%B0%8F...

Introducing Arao’s sweet shops! Alongside delicious cakes, you’ll find sweets made with Arao’s local specialties and confections inspired by the city of Arao! Try to discover them for yourself. Patisserie Himaki They pride themselves not only on flavor but also on a wide variety of cakes and baked sweets made with Arao pears. Genre Sweets Address 2-3-1 Higashiyayakata, Arao City Phone 0968-64-7112 Business hours 10:00 – 20:00 Closed Thursday Parking 6 spaces Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patisserie_himaki?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==...

Introducing Arao’s sweet shops! Alongside delicious cakes, you’ll find sweets made with Arao’s specialty products and confections inspired by Arao! Be sure to discover them. ◆European Confections MAEHIRO From classic to creative, we offer a wide range of sweets for many occasions. You’re sure to find a favorite. Address 2443-2 Arao, Arao City Phone 0968-62-1144 Hours 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Closed Wednesdays (may change for seasonal events) Parking Space available in front of the shop Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maehiro_cake?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==...

Arao’s food scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of flavors to love. Arao’s dining options range from specialty sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku restaurants to chic cafes and restaurants, plus numerous confectioneries and nightlife spots. After a day of fun, relax at your favorite spot. ~Maki Cafe~ A takeout shop on Greenland Street known for freshly made crepes, sweets, and café-style menu items. Genre Takeout-only cafe Address 827-2 Miyauchi, Arao City Phone 070-5400-7654 Hours 12:00 – 17:00 Closed Tuesdays (next day if a public holiday) plus one irregular day per month Parking 5 spaces Instagram https://www.instagram.com/makicafe_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==...

Arao’s food scene bursts with variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of dishes to satisfy everyone. Arao’s dining options range from specialty sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and eateries, plus bakeries and lively nighttime spots. After a day of fun, enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~Karaage Toraichi Arao Branch~ Alongside Hanamidori’s bone-in chicken and Tenka Ippin’s grilled chicken wings, a wide selection of karaage and bento boxes are popular. Genre Takeout karaage shop Address 813-1 Haramanda, Arao City Phone 0968-62-6268 Hours Weekdays 11:30–15:00 / 16:00–19:30 Weekends and public holidays 11:00–19:30 Closed Mondays Parking 7 spaces Official site https://karaage-toraichi.com//

Arao’s food scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of dishes to delight everyone. Arao’s dining ranges from specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku restaurants to chic cafes and restaurants, plus a wide selection of confectioneries and nighttime drinking spots. After a full day of fun, relax at the place you like best. ~Feel like a star~ A venue where you can enjoy karaoke on stage with professional sound. Genre Karaoke pub Address 2671-4 Arao, Arao City Phone number 0968-64-1701 Business hours 7:00 PM – Last Regular holiday Tuesday Parking 4 spaces Capacity 60 people https://arao-kankou.jp/info/6563/...

Arao’s food scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of satisfying flavors. From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku restaurants to chic cafes and eateries, plus a wide selection of confectioneries and nighttime drinking spots, Arao’s gourmet options are abundant. After a day of fun, enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~Sharara (Sharara)~ After a meal and a parfait, savor a gentle coffee brewed with a siphon. Genre Cafe Address 1107-3 Miyauchi, Arao City Phone 0968-64-3825 Hours 11:00 – 21:00 (Last order 20:30) Closed Mondays; if a public holiday falls on Monday, the next day will be observed Parking 25 spaces Capacity 40 people Official site https://sharara1985.com//

The season has come again for carp streamers to flutter over Iwamoto Bridge! Iwamoto Bridge, a designated Important Cultural Property of Kumamoto Prefecture, measures 32 m in length and 4 m in width. This rare stone arch bridge was built in the Edo period by double-stacking cut rock from Aso gyotan-ishi. It spans the Sekigawa River on the border between Arao City and Omuta City and is affectionately known locally as an eyeglass bridge. The chrysanthemum crest carved in relief on the west-facing exterior is famous. It is said to be the work of Hashimoto Kangoro, a master builder from Yatsushiro who constructed many renowned bridges in the early Meiji era, including the Nijubashi at the Imperial Palace. The bridge is well preserved and you can walk across it. Raising date: Saturday, April 5 (If it rains, the event will be postponed by one week) Period: Saturday, April 5 to mid-May Location: Iwamoto Bridge 182-2 Kamiede, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture 864-0013

Arao’s food scene offers great variety! Families, friends, everyone will find plenty to enjoy! Arao’s dining ranges from specialty sushi restaurants, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku spots to stylish cafes and restaurants, plus plentiful confectioneries and nighttime drinking establishments. After a full day of fun, relax at the spot you like. ~Kosen Dago Arao Main Store~ Sixty years of grilling flavor and heart. Genre Okonomiyaki Address 495 Shimoiide, Arao City Phone 0968-66-1911 Hours 11:00 – 21:00 (Last order 20:00) Closed Thursdays and during the New Year holidays Parking 30 spaces Official website http://www.kousendago.com/sub2.htm...

Guide to the Manda Pit Multilingual Guide System 💁‍♀️✨ At Manda Pit, you can use a multilingual guide system as well as Japanese. Scan the QR code in the image or visit here → http://www.mandako.jp// to use the system! #Kumamoto #Arao #Manda Pit #mandako #MiikeCoalMine #MandaPit

Arao’s food scene is full of variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of satisfying flavors to enjoy. From specialty sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and dining spots, Arao also offers many confectioneries and nightlife venues. After a full day of fun, relax at the place you like. ~ Okonomiyaki Gen-chan ~ This restaurant serves both Kansai-style and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. In Arao, we deliver free for orders of two or more. Genre Okonomiyaki Address 573-3 Miyauchi, Arao City Phone 0968-63-0588 Hours 11:00 – 15:00 (last order 14:30) 17:00 – 21:00 (last order 20:30) Closed Wednesdays (if a public holiday, the next day) Parking 10 spaces

Arao’s gourmet scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of flavors to satisfy everyone! Arao’s food scene ranges from specialty sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku shops to chic cafes and restaurants, plus many confectioneries and nighttime drinking spots. After a full day of fun, enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~Yamaguchi Unagi Restaurant~ The fragrant, grilled eel is superb. The skin is crisp, and the flesh is tender and fluffy. Genre Sushi and Japanese cuisine Address 6 Ban, Arao City Phone number 0968-62-0020 Business hours 11:30 – 13:30 16:00 – 19:00 Closed Tuesdays Parking 10 spaces Seating capacity 20 seats

Arao’s gourmet scene offers rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of dishes to leave everyone fully satisfied! From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku restaurants to chic cafés and dining venues, plus an abundance of confectioneries and nightlife spots, Arao serves up a diverse culinary lineup. After a day of fun, relax and enjoy your favorite place. ~Moranbon~ This restaurant serves black-haired wagyu beef graded 4 or higher. Their house-made kimchi also comes highly recommended. Genre Yakiniku (grilled meat) Address 65-3 Oshima, Arao City Phone 0968-64-1855 Business hours 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Last order 11:00 PM) Closed Wednesdays (except public holidays) Parking 15 spaces Capacity 60 people Official site https://www.arao-yakiniku.com//

Arao’s gourmet scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of flavors to satisfy everyone. From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki houses, and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and dining spots, Arao also has an abundance of confectioneries and nighttime hangouts. After a full day of fun, enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~ Ozeki Sushi (Oozeki Sushi) ~ You can dine pleasantly with family and friends at reasonable prices. Bento boxes are also popular. Genre Sushi · Japanese cuisine Address 2089-8 Kuraman, Arao City Phone 0968-68-2214 Hours 12:00–15:00 (last order 14:00) 17:00–21:00 (last order 20:00) Closed Tuesdays Parking 1 large vehicle · 15 regular spaces Seats 70 seats Official site https://susi-oozeki.jimdosite.com//

Arao’s food scene offers great variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of delicious options to satisfy everyone. From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and dining spots, Arao also boasts many confectioneries and lively night-time drinking venues. After a full day of fun, relax and enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~Kodaiko (Kodai-ko)~ The restaurant even has a live seafood tank, so you can enjoy fresh sushi and fish dishes. The seasonal majaku set meal is especially popular. Genre Sushi Address 1241-5 Nohara, Arao City Phone 0968-68-4622 Hours 11:00 – 14:30 17:00 – 21:30 Closed Tuesdays (subject to change on public holidays) Parking 20 spaces Capacity 50 people (including the second-floor banquet room)

Marugoto Arao Product Center Marugoto Arao Product Center combines a product hall, a Shodai-yaki gallery, and an information hub. This shop offers proud local specialties made from Arao’s bounty, from nori seaweed harvested from the Ariake Sea and famous pears to Shodai-yaki pottery. Address: 169-22 Haramanda, Arao City (near Manda Pit) Opening hours: 11:00–16:30 Closed: Monday (if Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day) Phone: 0968-57-9960 Parking: Free Access 8 minutes by bus from JR Arao Station Get off at Manda Pit-mae; immediate access https://arao-kankou.jp/sightseeing/specialty/...

Introduction to a Japanese Sword Making Tour See traditional Japanese swordmaking up close! You can observe the ancient craft of swordsmithing up close at the Japanese Swordsmith Training Workshop of master swordsmith Genrokuro Matsunaga, who lives in Arao City. The technique follows a traditional process of repeatedly hammering, stretching, and folding the steel. You will surely be overwhelmed by the power and drama of watching it at close range. In addition, you can take part in a name-engraving experience, where you use a chisel to carve your name or a favorite phrase into a steel plate, as well as a sword-making experience, and you can view Mr. Matsunaga’s collection of swords, armor, and other items. Name Matsunaga Japanese Swordsmith Training Workshop Address 1907-8 Kawatari, Arao City Phone number 0968-68-2250 *Visits require a reservation. Please contact us for details.

Introducing accommodations in Arao! ~Stay in Arao~ Arao City offers a wide range of lodging, from a resort hotel next to an amusement park to convenient business hotels. Whether you need more than a day to play or are staying for business, we are fully prepared to welcome you. 6. HOTEL R9 The Yard Arao A unique stay in a container! Each guest room is an independent unit made from a single container in this business-style hotel. Free parking is available near the rooms, and each unit includes a unit bath, toilet, TV, microwave, and refrigerator with freezer. With easy access to industrial parks, tourist sites, and golf courses, it’s ideal as a base for business or leisure. Address 883-1 Manda, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture Phone number 0968-79-8725 Official website https://hotel-r9.jp/hotels/arao/...