Kumamoto

Introduction
We want to introduce to you our essay.
There are a lot of good points in Kumamoto.
We just introduce three main topics.

Food

Kumamoto noodle

Kumamoto noodle is TONKOTU. TONKOTU soup is made in pig’s bone. And garlic chips put in it. The taste is very heavy. But it’s delicious

For example, “Bunryuu” is the famous Kumamoto noodle shop. It is in Kengun. The taste is very heavy and strong. And the soup was used a lot of garlic. The noodle is curl. I think that a lot of men like than women. There are always many men in the shop.

I like “Tatsunoya”. It is in south Kumamoto, Washington Street and Mashiki. The taste is plain. And the noodle is straight. So I think women can to eat easily. I like “tatsunoya.” It’s very delicious!!

Basashi

Horse meat is Kumamoto specialty food. Especially, Basashi is popular. Basashi is horse meat sashimi. It is raw meat. The way is raw meat put in soy sauce with grinded ginger. Recently, people notice that horse meat is a low calorie and high protein. And the horse mane has a lot of collagen. I can’t to eat Basashi, but I will try to eat it!!

Fruit

Kumamoto specialty fruit is water melon in Ueki. The production is the top of Japan. Because the sugar content more than 12 degree, so it is very sweet. And the flesh is full, so Ueki’s water melon is very popular in Japan.
And Kumamoto specialty fruit is “Banpeiyu.” It is the biggest citrus fruit in the world. The taste like a grapefruit, but It doesn’t have to bitterness. The direct is 20~25cm, the weight is 1.5~2.5kg.

There are many specialty foods in Kumamoto.

Festivals

Takuma-festival

Takuma festival holds in KGU on every November 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd. This festival is held by KGU students.
They open a variety of shops. For example, a shop of selling yakitoris, cakes, tapioca juice, fried potatoes, jellies, cookies and accessories!
Not only they open the shops, but also they make some big decorations for this festival. Usually, they start to make it every night from 2 month ago for only 3 days.

A best event of this festival is fireworks. It is very wonderful event. On the last day night, KGU students gather at KGU ground. Firstly, a commendation ceremony of this festival　starts. Secondly, they start water each other. Necessarily, they get wet to the skin. Next, they project some slides of this festival on a screen with nice BGM. Finally, fireworks party start. It is very moving event.

Reitai-festival

This festival is one of the most famous festivals in Kumamoto. About 17,000 people take part in this festival as beater. They are neighborhood association, companies and class reunions and so on. Beaters wear a happi, a headband and put on a pair of tabi. They walk along the street with horses. They shout “Doukai, doukai” as beating a drum and blowing a bugle. It’s a cheerful festival.

Hinokuni-festival

Hinokuni festival is famous for fireworks in Kumamoto on August. This festival has held in Ezu Lake before, but now it is held in Kumamoto castle from last year. Because it is summer festival, almost girls wear yukata. You can see beautiful Japanese girls. In this festival set off 2,000 fireworks. Otemoyan is a dance of Kumamoto. Kumamoto people dance otemoyan in Kumamoto castle.

Sightseeing

Kumamoto has a nature by an abundance of green and water, and also there are traditional building and culture.
Therefore, there are a lot of tourist attractions in Kumamoto.
It's visited by many tourists.
I want to inform many people about three main places.

Aso

First place is Aso.
Aso lies northeast of Kumamoto.
Aso is a vast nature.
There are a lot of famous place in Aso, its cool places.
First, it is called "Daikanbou", it's a fine view.It is a natural observatory.
http://www.yado.co.jp/kankou/kumamoto/aso/daikanb/daikanb.htm

It's location at an altitude of 936 meters, it scenery is wonderful. We can watch the vast mountains of the "kujyu" from there. A lot of people come here by motorbike.

Next, the source is called "shirakawasuigen".
The water keeps 14 degree at all season.
It is best water temperature. A lot of people take out the water.

Amakusa

Next place is Amakusa. Amakusa lies southwest of Kumamoto. Amakusa is surrounded by beautiful sea. There are many beaches "Shiratsuruhama" "Wakamiya" etc.
People enjoy surfing and Jet Ski in Amakusa every summer.


Next, there are five famous bridges in Amakusa.
We call it "Pearl Line".I hear there are some lovely traditions at these bridges.
http://www.yado.co.jp/hasi/kumamoto/amakusa/amakusa.htm

Castle

Last place is Kumamoto castle.
Kumamoto castle is 400 years old.

It will hold many memorial events.

The biggest characteristic is "Stone fence".

We call it "Mushagaeshi".

There is famous sweet in Kumamoto, and it is called "Mushagaeshi".The sweet's shape is like a "Stone fence".The people of a prefecture like it.Everybody, how about "Mushagaeshi"?

http://www.manyou-kumamoto.jp/castle/

Thus there are a lot of wonderful sightseeing place in Kumamoto.We want to guard beautiful nature and beautiful tradition.

Conclusion
Kumamoto has a lot of good points.
There are local foods, traditional events and vast nature.
We take pride in our Kumamoto.

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