Kuju Plateau

The Kuju Plateau spreads out at the base of five volcanoes stretching 15 kilometers across northern Kumamoto. The Somi area at its heart is broad, open grassland fed by natural springs and managed through controlled seasonal burns called noyaki. Farmers light these fires in spring to clear dead growth and allow new grass to emerge, a practice requiring careful preparation of firebreaks to contain the flames. The result is a clean sweep of green grassland with mountains as a backdrop. A campground in the area lets you stay overnight, and the springs and surrounding cool forest are reason enough to linger even if you are not camping.