Yamaga, Historic city in northern Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.
Yamaga is a city in the northern inland region of Kumamoto Prefecture, stretching across 299 square kilometers and bordered by Fukuoka and Oita prefectures. Modern transportation infrastructure, including access to the Kyushu Expressway on its western edge, connects the city to surrounding areas.
The area contains numerous burial mounds from the Kofun period, with written records first mentioning Yamaga in the early eighth century as part of ancient Higo Province. These archaeological traces reveal a long history of human settlement in the region.
The Yamaga Lantern Festival brings the city to life each August with traditional paper lanterns and performances rooted in regional craftsmanship spanning centuries. Visitors can observe how these illuminated creations shape the local identity and connect people to their heritage.
The city is well connected through the Kyushu Expressway on its western side, making travel to larger regional cities straightforward. Visitors should note that exploring this sprawling area requires either a car or public transportation to get around effectively.
The Kumamoto Prefectural Ancient Burial Mound Museum displays a substantial collection of artifacts from the many kofun scattered throughout the city. This museum offers direct access to the archaeological richness found across the area.
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