Billionaire in Kumamoto

1.5 meters tall. Black glossy fur. Circular red cheeks. And staring eyes. It is Kumamon, the one and only mascot living in Kumamoto. Not only cuteness, but the vibe of positivity and affection adore hundreds and thousands.

Born in 2011, it aimed at promoting business and events during the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen line. On its first birthday, ¥2.5 billion products have been sold by this yuru-chara. Now, it owns an office to carry its duties as the city’s manager of sales and happiness.

Besides the Kumamon, visitors will most likely be attracted by the Kumamoto Castle. Built in the 1600s, it was designed by the daimyo Kato Kiyomasa. The castle played a pivotal role in the Seinan Civil War against the rebels, after the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

Tenshukaku, the main tower, is divided into two parts. The 6-story main tower and the 4-story smaller tower are both surrounded by the nice city view. It was once burnt down in 1877, until the reconstruction in 1960.

Unfortunately, the castle suffered another severe damage during the 2016 earthquake. Fallen roof tiles. Damaged foundations. Crumbled walls. Visitors can still witness the entire collapsed structures. Reconstruction requires at least 20 years.

Suizenji Garden is another landmark. Built in the 17th century, it belonged to the Hosokawa family. This spacious landscape is used as tea retreats, alongside spring-fed ponds. Stroll along the circular path and visit the main tsukiyama, which resembles Mount Fuji.

If you have spare time, Shimabara will be a perfect destination.Though it is located in Nagasaki Prefecture, it takes only 60 minute from Kumamoto Port to Shimabara Port by ferry. Built in the Edo period, Shimabara Castle is surely the significant landmark of the city.

The heavy taxation, along with the Christian persecution, were the contributing factors of the peasant uprising in 1637, aka Shimabara Rebellion. The castle was destroyed during the Meiji Period, yet reconstructed in 1964.

Today, the five-story house becomes a Castle Tower Museum. Tourists can revisit the history of the religious prosecutions with the collection of Christian artifacts. When the weather is pretty enough, Mount Unzen can be clearly observed on the 5th floor deck.

Before I left, the cherry blossom meat had caught my attention. As a delectable treat in Kumamoto, the horse meat has enriched Iron, Vitamin B and lean protein. If the raw basashi is far from acceptance, grabbing a korokke in Josaien is still an authentic experience.

可愛すぎるふわふわ億万長者（おくまんちょうじゃ）

日本には、マスコットは観光産業（かんこうさんぎょう）を促進（そくしん）するに欠（か）かせないものであるが、どれが一番人気がありますか。

大きく丸（まる）い目に、バラ色の頬（ほほ）があります。身長（しんちょう）は２００センチで、熊本の美味しいものを食べ過ぎるによって、体重（たいじゅう）は１００キロになるところだった。黒いふわふわした毛（け）で覆（お）われているのが特徴（とくちょう）です。

熊本県が２０１０年に「くまもとサプライズ」キャンペーンにおいて展開（てんかい）してはじめて、くまモンの人気はますます高まっています。くまモンは「熊本県営業部長（えいぎょうぶちょう）」であるだけじゃなく、「熊本県しあわせ部長」でもあります。このゆるキャラは体操（たいそう）をしたり、サプライズを見つけて広（ひろ）げたっています。

熊本朝日放送の調査（ちょうさ）によると、去年を利用した商品（しょうひん）の売上高（うりあげだか）は１５０３億円。８年連続（れんぞく）で１５００億円を超（こ）えました。「サンリオ」や「ワンピース」など国内外（こくないがい）で人気キャラクターと肩（かた）並（なら）べます。