A trip to Arao can focus on nature watching, industrial history, culture, or leisure. The places to explore are all in Arao: the Arao Tidal Flat offers a chance to observe the tides, Manda Pit tells the story of the Miike Coal Mine, and the birthplace of the Miyazaki brothers reflects Japanese-Chinese friendship. Greenland and the Kodai Craft Hall add an amusement park and traditional crafts to the mix. When choosing what to visit, consider whether you want to focus on nature, industrial heritage, history, or a leisure activity.

Shorebirds at the Arao Tidal Flat

The Arao Tidal Flat in Arao City lies on the eastern side of the central Ariake Sea. As a single tidal flat, it is one of the largest in Japan. On July 3, 2012, it was registered as a Ramsar site and recognized as a wetland of international importance. Shorebirds use the area as a stopover and wintering ground from fall through spring. The two hours before and after high tide are especially suitable for birdwatching. Checking the tide levels can help you plan your visit for this window.

A 2023 city information notice states that, by prior arrangement, the Arao Tidal Flat Waterbird and Wetland Center offers a guided tour of the building and an introduction to the tidal flat and center in the learning room. If you would like to include this visit in your plans, arrange a time in advance.

Miike Coal Mine and Manda Pit

Manda Pit showcases Arao’s industrial history. The mining shaft was one of the most important at the Miike Coal Mine, which operated during the late Meiji period. Preserved structures include the second shaft’s headframe, the hoisting engine house, the mine railway, and red-brick buildings. Visitors can explore these historic structures. In 2015, Manda Pit was inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.” The preserved structures bring the history of mining at this site to life, while the inscription shows its connection to Japan’s wider industrial heritage.

Birthplace of the Miyazaki Brothers

The birthplace of the Miyazaki brothers was designated a historic site of Kumamoto Prefecture on August 27, 1973. The brothers’ friendship with China, including Tōten, makes the site a symbol of Japanese-Chinese friendship that continues to attract attention in Japan and abroad. The plants named in the garden also have personal connections: the Chūzan plum is associated with Sun Yat-sen, and the lindens and peonies with Tōten. The site’s story encompasses both its designation as a historic site and a friendship whose significance reaches beyond Japan.

Amusement Park and Pottery

Greenland, one of Japan’s largest amusement parks, is also located in Arao. The operator lists more than 70 types of attractions; this number may change. The park offers a different kind of leisure experience from birdwatching on the tidal flat and exploring industrial heritage, adding an amusement park to the range of options.

At the Kodai Craft Hall, visitors can hand-form Shodai ware or use an electric pottery wheel with an advance reservation. Reserving a wheel session is an important planning step. If you would like to try it, check in advance whether a session is available for your preferred date. Hand-forming and using an electric pottery wheel offer two different ways to experience pottery.

Discover more destinations: Tamana, Minamiaso, Kikuchi, Amakusa, Kikuyo, Mizukami, Kumamoto, Kami-Amakusa.

See the main travel overview: Kumamoto Prefecture.