Misato (Kumamoto)

Misato is a new town created through the combination of two other towns, Chuo and Tomochi. It takes about 40 minutes from Kumamoto City to reach Misato. The area is 144.03 square kilometers and forest covers three quarters of the town.

• Town Hall - Misato Town Hall is designed like an old European castle of the Middle Ages.

• 3333 Stone Steps (日本一の石段). These are the most stone steps in Japan. In November, there is a challenge to climb these steps. Access is by car, or bus from the Kumamoto City Bus terminal. Paid parking is available. The nearby restaurants are open seasonly. Water is available along the climb, but food is only sold at the base of the stairs. Stone markers exists every 100 steps to mark progress. At the top, there is a scenic overlook of the surrounding mountains. A little more than a kilometer past the last step is a shrine. Allow for between one and three hours to climb, and an hour to descend. The climb is nearly two kilometers and the summit is 600 meters above the start. 

• Sanzen (山善) It's shochu made from only Misato's rice. You can buy it at Samata no yu.

• Samata no Yu (佐俣の湯). A hot-spring resort and restaurant that also has a place to sleep.