Kumenan

Kumenan (久米南町 Kumenan-chō) is a small town in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

Tourist information site
The city government's official site has a Japanese-only tourism section.

By train
If you're coming from far away, take the Shinkansen to Okayama. From there, the JR Tsuyama Line runs to Kumenan, 40 min, &yen;740. If you're coming from Tsuyama, take the JR train heading towards Okayama, 20 min. Trains run about once an hour. Stations in Kumenan are: Koume (神目), Yuge (弓削), and Tanjoji (誕生寺).

By bus
Long distance connect to the nearby cities of Okayama or Tsuyama. See those listings for details.

Get around
If you're connecting to local stations, the trains are only minutes apart. However, the town is sprawling, so a car might be handy. Taxis are also available. Getting a bicycle and enjoy the landscape as you bike through town is highly recommended.

Do
A great way to visit town is strolling along the dusty back streets of Shimoyuge, the main street of Kumenan's Yuge area. The area is an older part of Kumenan with rundown homes and shops. Most of the stores appear to be closed, with lights shut off and doors closed, even during the afternoon, but don't be fooled&mdash;owners and their families often live behind their stores and only emerge when customers arrive. Observe the architecture of traditional rural Japanese storefronts and houses. While not well preserved, the buildings offer a glimpse of life here&mdash;a slow, unhurried pace that is glaringly different from the modern, cosmopolitan cities of Japan.



Buy
Locally grown muscat grapes and peaches are famous throughout Okayama, and Kumenan is one of the best places to buy fresh produce. Other fruits to try include mandarin oranges, strawberries grown in greenhouses, and apples the size of soccer balls! Try the local supermarkets or small grocery stores. Better yet, inquire about purchasing the fruits directly from a farmer, where you may get a better deal. The fruits in Kumenan are fresh, sweet, and thoroughly enjoyable.

If you happen to run into the local bread lady, who sells freshly baked breads and pastries from the back of her van, make sure to check out the bags of red bean paste buns, whole loaves of sweet bread, individually wrapped chestnut, custard, or chocolate cream rolls. If you crave savory items, the pizza toast, sandwiches, and meat-filled pastries are all delicious.

Tea ceremonies are an important part of Japanese tradition and culture, and there is one delightful store in Kumenan that specializes in tea and tea ceremony. Near the Yuge train station, the unassuming store is outfitted with dozens of varieties of tea, exquisite clay or porcelain tea kettles, small sets of tea cups, trays, different strainers, and more tea-related instruments. Set into the tatami mat floor is an old-fashioned stove where water is boiled. If you have even the slightest interest in tea, be sure to stop by this place.

Drink
There are no bars or clubs in Kumenan, but most restaurants and all grocery stores serve alcohol. Also, there are several beer vending machines around town. The best thing to do is buy some alcohol, arrange a get-together with several Japanese friends who are fond of drinking, and enjoy a summer backyard barbecue together.

Sleep
Homestays are the best way to experience life in Kumenan. While English-speaking people in the town are rare, almost everyone is kind, generous, and helpful. Kumenan townspeople are, for the most part, welcoming and curious about foreigners.

Go next

 * Tsuyama
 * Nagi
 * Okayama
 * Misaki
 * Kagamino
 * Shoo
 * Mimasaka
 * Akaiwa
 * Maniwa