Takamori-machi, located in the easternmost of Kumamoto Prefecture at the center of Kyushu, is a "good, livable town" thanks to the world-famous Aso-san mountain, lush greenery, clean water sources and safe agricultural products from the cold highland conditions.
Hikoyainomikoto got rid of a serpent, which was afflicting the residents, and built Kusakabe Yoshimi Shrine on the reclaimed pond. This is a rare "downhill shrine" and is counted as one of "Japan's three major downhill shrines."
Takeiwa Tatsunomikoto is known for a myth in which he received an order from the Emperor Jimmu to cultivate the Aso and proliferate agriculture with the support of his wife Aso Tohime.
Takamori-machi has many places that were named after mythologies and folklores with shrines and temples built in respect.
The town's mysterious feature is gaining popularity for a tourist spot among the people in the know.
"Good, livable town"
Mysterious town where myths and folklores live
Come and experience Takamori-machi!
Takamori-machi, Aso, has mythologies of Hikoyainomikoto and Takeiwa Tatsunomikoto, who are the Japan's first Emperor, the father of the imperial line, a descendant of Amaterasu and the son of Emperor Jinmu in the oldest logs Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.
This is a particularly pleasant time for everyone including animals and plants, as grasses sprout, and animals wake up from hibernation and come down from the mountains. Many events featuring cherry blossoms and violets are carried out, and a variety of wild plants, including fatsia sprouts, are available.
This area's temperature is lower than other regions of the prefecture and little more than 30 ℃ even in August, so it's comfortable without air conditioning throughout the day. It is also a good season for the summer vegetables that have been grown in the cool highlands.
Many events from a local harvest festival to large-scale exhibits appealing to the outer town take place in this season. Food is also delicious at this time of the year, but healthcare is important after the short summer to prepare for the upcoming cold season.
This region is bitter cold with snow once piled up a few meters high. In January a festival called Dondoya takes place to pray for good health and rich harvest.
Takamori-machi provides a fiber-optic network to provide administrative information to all households in town. Thus, the communication environment in town has dramatically improved, and the administrative service contents on offer have also changed significantly.
We promote education, which makes children proud of Takamori, embrace their dream and driven with energy.
To foster a "rich spirit" and "solid academic skills" within the children of Takamori.
To promote "school building along with the region," which was taking advantage of the regional force of Takamori.
To promote the "development of the educational environment" in cooperation with the Takamori government.
To promote "activation of Takamori-machi Education and Research Society" enhancing the quality of the local faculty and staff.
We are committed to following measures, prioritizing consistency through the elementary and junior high schools and hometown education based on the community schools.
We have been "building new school models through cooperation with chief departments" as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry's commissioned project since fiscal 2015.
The "regional-base project of English education reinforcement" as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry (MEXT)'s commissioned project since fiscal 2015: four schools in town are designated by MEXT
●Creation of the "Takamori hometown studies"
●"Our Takamori-machi" published as a side reader of social studies in the elementary school
●"The Spirit of Takamori"published as a side reader of moral education in the elementary and junior high school
●Development of the ICT environment in all the elementary and junior high schools.Introduction of the electronic blackboard, digital textbooks and tablet devices
●Arrangement of the faculty by municipal expenses
●Enhancement of educational counseling , child care assistance
The "demonstration projects relating to the improvement of the education quality through the use of ICT in declining-population society" has been carried out as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry's commissioned project since fiscal 2015.
●Quality enhancement of faculty and staff with a focus on the principal
●Promotion of Takamori-machi education plan
First child: 50,000 yen
Second child: 100,000 yen
Third child: 200,000 yen
For the 2-months to 3-month olds
Physical measurement, interviews, medical examination, health guidance, nutritional guidance, etc.
We will subsidize the medical expenses of infants up to junior high school students among the insured or the dependents by each social insurance law, who receive medical cares from clinics and hospitals.
As a part of the NPO bookstart activities, we will present a picture book and the "experience to enjoy the picture book with the baby."
A school bag or a gift certificate (worth 50,000 yen) for school supplies and school consumables is awarded from the town to all the new, first-year, elementary school children.
From April 1, 2016, the target age of "Takamori Machi child medical care subsidy system" It will be expanded and subsidized by the first March 31st after the date of full 18 years old.
However, excluding those who are working as married / social workers (except for "working student").
Experienced staff with qualification of nursery and primary school teachers will provide parenting information, stress management and friend-making tips among parents, consult food education, etc. via workshops, and interviews.
We have launched a childcare fellow club (Donguri Club) as a gathering of pre-kindergarten children and their parents at Takamori kindergarten. Round-table meetings and parent-child gymnastics,etc. are held.
Information on shelters for disasters in each region and contact information on life lines, etc. are listed here.
Due to the Kumamoto Earthquake in April 2016, the access route (infrastructure) to the Aso District has been damaged because roads have been partially closed requiring detour.
When visiting the Aso District, please utilize "Aso District access map" showing accessible roads to the Aso District released by the Kyusyu Regional Development Bureau, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Kyushu Sanko Bus" "Takamori Express" runs three times a day.
About 2 hours from Kumamoto station front (13: 00/17: 00/18: 50) to Takamori center.
※Currently, it is in operation at the special time of disaster, but with the opening of the "Tawarayama" tunnel, the detour route has been changed.
For details on the "Takamori Express" and "Kumamoto ⇔ Takachiho / Nobeoka line (Takachiho issue)", please check the following site.
【Sanko bus portal site】 https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/
Transfer from Kagoshima Main Line "Kumamoto Station" to Toyoshi Main Line and get off at "Tateno Station".
Change to Minami-Aso railroad and come to the terminal point "Takamori station".