We Are Tomodachi Autumn / Winter 2017

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26Agriculture & LivestockBlessed with a rich natural environment, Kumamoto offers a wide array of agricultural and livestock products. The Tsujun Bridge, a 75.6 meter-long (248 foot-long) aqueduct constructed in 1854 for regions in deep gorges unable to access irrigation water, is also famed as a tourist attraction. The scene of parabolas of water being discharged with great force from the central section of the stone arch, one of the largest nationwide, is truly spectacular. (Water discharges have been temporarily suspended but are scheduled to resume in 2019.) FestivalsKumamoto, the “land of water,” holds a large number of events associated with water that take place at the sea, rivers, and hot springs. One of those is the festival of Mizu Akari, held every October, whose name means “the reflection of light on the water.” More than 50,000 lanterns and artistic pieces fashioned from bamboo are floated down the Tsuboi River, which forms the boundary of Kumamoto Castle, one of Kumamoto City’s famous attractions, giving a dream-like atmosphere to Kumamoto nights. © MizuakariWith spring water flowing from more than 1,000 locations across the prefecture and an abundance of gorges, waterfalls, and groundwater, Kumamoto Prefecture is also called the “land of water.” Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital with a population of 730,000, relies on natural groundwater for 100 percent of its domestic water supply, a rarity among cities the world over. Moreover, Kumamoto Prefecture holds water-related festivals and events all throughout the year, to the delight of visitors to this land of water.Kumamoto,the “Land of Water”ThisisJapanKumamoto Pref.