From Kumamoto Explore Japan Hidden Gem of Shiiba Village

Oichiyo Observatory (Great Ginkgo Viewpoint): The visual highlight of the tour, offering sweeping views over the lake and dam. From this vantage point, you’ll feel the vast, remote atmosphere often called the “Tibet of Kyushu,” with stunning panoramas of the emerald-green lake.

Kamishiiba Dam is a landmark hydroelectric project built to support Japan’s postwar recovery by supplying power to the Kitakyushu industrial area. Located deep in the Kyushu Mountains on the upper Mimi River, it was completed in 1955 after seven years of construction. Standing 110 meters tall, it became Japan’s first arch dam to exceed 100 meters, symbolizing both engineering innovation and the nation’s drive to rebuild after the war.

Take time to explore Shiiba Village’s cultural and natural highlights, including Tsurutomi Yashiki, Shiiba Itsukushima Shrine, and Okubo no Hinoki. At the Tsurutomi Yashiki & Folklore Museum, discover the local Heike Legend and admire its unique architecture with a long veranda designed for steep mountain terrain. Visit Okubo no Hinoki, an awe-inspiring 800-year-old cypress standing 32 meters tall with a vast canopy, revered as one of Japan’s finest. The experience concludes with a relaxed tea break with local residents, sharing warm moments over traditional mountain tea.