Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto


Hitoyoshi is a city in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on February 11, 1942.
As of October 2016, the city has an estimated population of 33,461 and a population density of 160 persons per km2. The total area is 210.55 km2.
It is famous for boat trips on the river and hot springs. Aoi Aso Shrine, one of the National Treasures of Japan, is located in Hitoyoshi.
It is bounded to the north, east, and west by towns of Kuma District, and to the south by Kagoshima Prefecture.

Commerce

Hitoyoshi's main product is rice shochu, or kuma-shochu, which is the official name of rice shochu produced in Kumamoto's Hitoyoshi and Kuma District. This shochu must be produced in these areas from Japanese rice and with water from the Kuma River, which runs through the town. The World Trade Organization granted kuma-shochu geographical indication status in 1994. The most popular brand is Hakutake Shiro, which currently holds 50% market share on all rice shochu sold in Japan. However, Takahashi Distillery, the producer of Hakutake Shiro, is just one of 28 distilleries in Hitoyoshi in the surrounding region that produce kuma-shochu.

Climate

Hitoyoshi has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, and is heavier in the summer months, especially June and July.

Tourism