【Misato Town】 A Nostalgic & Active Holiday! A Greedy Route from the Hakkaku Tunnel to Japan’s Number One Stone Steps

Hello! This is Aso Kanko Taxi, your guide to the charms of Kumamoto. This time, we are introducing the “Misato Town” area, located about a 45-minute drive south of Kumamoto City.

Surrounded by abundant nature, Misato Town is packed with unique attractions, from a nostalgic abandoned railway line that makes you feel like you’ve wandered into a Ghibli movie, to a beautiful stone bridge with a romantic legend, and an active spot to test your limits.

“On my precious day off, I want to take beautiful photos and refresh myself by moving my body!” We will introduce a greedy day-trip route in Misato Town that will make such wishes come true.

The Abandoned Railway Leading to Another Dimension: “Hakkaku Tunnel”

First on our list is the “Hakkaku Tunnel,” which has garnered much attention in recent years as a photo spot on social media. After turning slightly off the national highway and following the wooden sign down a lush green promenade for about 200 meters…

Suddenly, a continuous concrete structure appears in the forest! This is the ruin of the “Yuen Railway” track that once connected Kumamoto City and Shimomashiki District. It is a rock shed built to prevent rocks on both sides of the tracks from collapsing. The unique structure of spaced heptagons (seven-sided shapes), combined with the moss covering the concrete, creates a mysterious atmosphere as if you’ve wandered into a sci-fi movie or anime world. It is a highly recommended spot where you can take an exceptionally photogenic picture utilizing the sense of depth.

Waiting for a Miraculous Moment at a Lover’s Sanctuary: “Futamata Bridge”

After enjoying the mysterious world of the Hakkaku Tunnel, head to “Futamata Bridge,” located just a 2 to 3-minute drive away. This is a beautiful stone bridge dating back to the Edo period, spanning the confluence of the Shakain and Tsuru rivers. The murmuring of the river and the historic stone masonry scenery will instantly soothe your heart.

Actually, Futamata Bridge is certified as a “Lover’s Sanctuary,” recognized among tourist spots nationwide as a romantic place suitable for a proposal! The reason is that on sunny mornings (around 11:00 AM to noon) from October to February, as sunlight passes under the bridge, a beautiful “heart-shaped shadow” appears on the river surface.

A cute heart-shaped bell monument is also installed at the foot of the bridge, so if you visit as a couple or husband and wife, be sure to ring the bell together.

A Limit-Breaking Activity! “Japan’s Number One Stone Steps (3,333 Steps)”

Driving another 15 minutes from Futamata Bridge, after being healed by the nostalgic scenery, it’s time to challenge Misato Town’s representative active spot: “Japan’s Number One Stone Steps”! Leading up to Shakain Temple at an altitude of 860 meters, these stone steps consist of exactly 3,333 steps, as the name suggests, boasting the highest number of steps in Japan. Looking at the pyramid-shaped guide map at the entrance, you will surely be overwhelmed by its scale.

As inscribed on the stone monument, “Like a white dragon ascending,” the stone steps continue endlessly through the deep green mountains. To climb all the way up and back requires about 2 to 3 hours for an adult and a considerable amount of stamina.

The time spent climbing step by step at your own pace while taking deep breaths is like a brief ascetic training to face yourself. The sense of accomplishment and exhilaration when you successfully climb all 3,333 steps will be a special experience you can’t find anywhere else!

Aso Kanko Taxi (Sightseeing Taxi) Special! A Professional’s Quick Tip

Some tourist spots in the Misato Town area have entrances that are a bit hard to find, or narrow roads leading to the destination.

And above all, after challenging “Japan’s Number One Stone Steps,” your legs will almost certainly be like jelly, making it extremely difficult to drive home! If you use Aso Kanko Taxi (Sightseeing Taxi)’s sightseeing taxi, you can leave all the driving on complicated routes and the search for parking to our professional drivers. You can leave heavy changes of clothes or luggage in the car and challenge the stone steps light on your feet. On the exhausting way back, you can sleep comfortably in the back seat and rest your body as we safely return you to your home or hotel. If you want to play to the fullest in Misato Town, using a taxi is absolutely recommended!

Experience Kumamoto More Freely.

Misato Town is an attractive area where a wide range of people, from photography lovers to active types, can find something to enjoy. Even a highly customized route just for you, like “I want to take pictures at the Hakkaku Tunnel, challenge the stone steps, and then sweat it out in a nearby hot spring!”, can be freely planned with  Aso Kanko Taxi (Sightseeing Taxi) sightseeing taxi.

Why not set out on your very own special Kumamoto trip, rather than a fixed package tour? Even if you aren’t confident in your stamina or are worried about finding your way, we, who know Kumamoto inside out, will help you create the best trip possible. If you are interested, please feel free to consult with Aso Kanko Taxi (Sightseeing Taxi)!

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https://asokankou.com/taxi.html