About Kumamoto, home to Tachibana
Kumamoto City, where Tachibana’s plants are located, is known as an area so rich in water resources that almost 100 percent of the water used for daily life is supplied by groundwater.
The aqueous and solvent-based materials we manufacture are made using the high-quality water resources that Kumamoto provides. Let us introduce you to Kumamoto’s many advantages as a manufacturing center.
A thriving semiconductor industry
The rapid advance of digital technology has made investment in semiconductor products, equipment, and raw materials a national project. Kumamoto Prefecture is regarded as the focal point of these activities, and its semiconductor industry is thriving, as evidenced by the number of world-class companies that have gravitated to the area. Within the vision of Kyushu as a “Silicon Island,” Kumamoto Prefecture is attracting attention as a region with a high concentration of semiconductor-related companies.
Advantages as a logistics hub
The Jonan Industrial Park in Kumamoto City, where Tachibana’s plants are located, is situated almost exactly in the middle of Kyushu Island, with an interchange (smart IC) on the Kyushu Expressway right next door. Using this expressway, Kumamoto Airport is about 30 minutes away. Kumamoto Port can also be reached within an hour by car, making it an excellent location for a logistics hub, offering convenient land, sea, and air links.
A land of clear water
Almost 100% of the water for daily use in Kumamoto City is supplied by groundwater. It is very rare for a city with a population of 700,000 to use groundwater for domestic use, indicating that the area enjoys particularly abundant water resources. Jonan, where the plants are located, is also blessed with a rich natural environment, fed clean subsoil water from Mount Aso.
Tachibana’s Neighborhood
These are some of the restaurants, shopping spots, and tourist attractions in the area where Tachibana’s plants are located.
Be sure to take a look if you are visiting the plants for a tour or inspection. Some of these attractions also come recommended by Tachibana employees.
Ueda Karashi Renkon
Established in 1971, this specialty store is the perfect place to buy Kumamoto’s local specialty, lotus root stuffed with Japanese mustard and miso paste. The lotus root used, with its traditional crunchy texture, comes from the store’s own farm next door. The filling, a mixture of miso and mustard, is mildly spicy and popular with men and women of all ages, even those trying karashi renkon for the first time. Another nice touch is that the products are sold by weight.
- Address
- 431-1 Shimomiyaji, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-3452
- Open
- 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Closed
- Thursdays
- Parking
- 6 spaces
Basashi no Kitagawa, Jonan Main Store
A specialist horse meat restaurant with a reputation for the quality of its horse sashimi, one of Kumamoto’s famous delicacies. Having taken over a long-standing wholesale butcher, since 2006, it has expanded into a horse meat-focused production and retail store. Because it purchases almost all of its produce as single animals, it is able to offer a wide variety of cuts, including some that are lesser known. Highly recommended as a souvenir is horse sashimi, which is sold frozen in slices. Also popular are frozen horse yukke, a rare item, and the gift sets. Nationwide delivery is also available.
- Address
- 519-1 Kumanosho, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-3101
- Open
- 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Closed
- Sundays
- Parking
- 10 spaces
Spicy Curry MIYAZIMA
A local favorite over two generations, this curry restaurant has been in business for more than 35 years. The smooth roux, which is strained after simmering an original blend of spices, beef, vegetables, and other ingredients for an entire day, is perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of spiciness and savory flavor. The most popular dish is Katsu Curry, which is made with a sumptuous loin cutlet. Also worth a look is the jumbo curry, with a double helping of rice, topped with a croquette, fried shrimp, and katsu. A popular destination for Tachibana employees, it’s so delicious you could even call it our soul food.
- Address
- 1300-4 Higashiadaka, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-3990
- Open
- 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Closed
- After 2:00 p.m. on Mondays
- Parking
- 4 spaces
Jonan Regional Produce Center “Hi no Kimi Marche”
The center features attractive produce that comes directly from about 250 contracted farmers, mainly in the Jonan-machi area. All sorts of sweet and tasty specialties that take advantage of the area’s water-rich terrain, including strawberries, tomatoes, grapes, melons, are available in each season. Handmade local soft-serve ice cream is also a popular favorite. Seasonal flavors are also available, including miso from November to February, strawberry from February to April, green tea from May to July, and chestnut from August to October.
- Address
- 65-1 Sakano, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-8831
- Open
- 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Closed
- Second Wednesday of the month
- Parking
- 92 spaces
SAGALAX
The soft, fluffy texture of the dough and the unique ingredients that look like a meal on top make this pizzeria a must-try. There are about 27 different pizzas available, from the classic Margherita to the meat demi-glace mustard shown here. The dishes use plenty of local vegetables, including baby greens. It is also popular as a take-out option. On weekends, reservations are recommended for eating in. Incidentally, the name of the restaurant comes from that of the owner, Sagara-san.
- Address
- 883-1 Shimomiyaji, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-27-5952
- Open
- 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Closed
- Sundays (or the last day of consecutive holidays)
- Parking
- 5 spaces
Super Store Dainobu
Established in 1916, this local supermarket is a much-loved fixture of Jonan-machi. The attractive selection of products that meet the needs of the local community, including a direct sales area for local farmers and pork sales from a local Matsuoka pig farm (several times a month), are also worth a look. The ready-to-eat section is also well-stocked, particularly the sushi counter with all sorts of fresh toppings. On Sundays, it also buys in bluefin tuna, providing an affordable way to indulge in luxury sushi.
- Address
- 430-1 Shimomiyaji, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-2033
- Open
- 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Closed
- New Year’s Day
- Parking
- Approx. 200 spaces
ARAKI
A liquor store with a variety of niche items, including local sake, imported wines, and specialty foods. All of the approximately 100 brands of shochu and sake are purchased directly from breweries and distilleries, and local limited editions that are not put into circulation, as well as rare brands of shochu such as Maou, are also available at fixed prices. The restaurant in the back offers Italian cuisine that brings out the full flavor of local ingredients, with the option of bringing in your own wine from the store.
- Address
- 431-1 Shimomiyaji, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-6550
- Open
- 9:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (restaurant from 11:30 a.m. to last order at 2:00 p.m., dinner by reservation only)
- Closed
- Wednesdays
- Parking
- 10 spaces
Tamago Bokujo Sun Farm Hina Tama Cocco
This farm offers fresh eggs laid by hens raised under the wind and sun in an open-air henhouse, as well as special sweets made from the eggs. Don’t miss the round and fluffy “breast cheesecake,” melt-in-your-mouth pudding, cream puffs, and other popular items that highlight the delicious flavor of the eggs. On the premises, there is also a park golf course named “Donguri no Mori” (acorn forest), as well as a restaurant where you can enjoy omurice made with delicious eggs.
- Address
- 1000-1 Imayoshino, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0120-81-3300
- Open
- 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (restaurant Wednesday–Friday, reservation required)
- Closed
- Year-end and New Year holidays (restaurant closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Parking
- Approx. 100 spaces
Tsukawara Kofun Park
The park is dotted with 77 circular reconstructed burial mounds in a vast area the size of about five baseball fields, where the Tsukawara burial mounds, a national designated historic site, were discovered. Visitors can enjoy a stroll on the pleasant lawn while experiencing the ancient history of the area. The park also includes an obstacle course shaped like a giant pirate ship, as well as play equipment for toddlers. Other facilities include the Kumamotoshi Tsukawara Museum and the Kumamoto Prefectural Observatory.
- Address
- 1234 Tsukawara, Jonan-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City
- Tel.
- 0964-28-2033
- Open
- 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Spice & Cafe nico
A popular curry restaurant located right in front of the west exit of Uto Station. The curry roux, made from stock from kelp shipped directly from Hokkaido and layered with a special broth made from Kyushu chicken and vegetables, is irresistibly delicious. The menu features all sorts of interesting items, including Higo Veggie Curry, packed with vegetables, Mild Keema Curry, with a deep, rich texture, and Tandoori Chicken, fried with rice flour.
- Address
- 144-22 Sajiccho, Uto City
- Tel.
- 0964-23-0810
- Open
- 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (open only for take-out in the evenings, 5:30–7:30 p.m.)
- Closed
- Sundays, Mondays
- Parking
- 8 spaces
Mifune Dinosaur Museum
The museum collects and stores valuable fossils, including those of dinosaurs, preserved in the 90 million-year-old rock strata found in Mifune Town, and conducts research and surveys of these materials. The permanent exhibits, including the “dinosaur evolutionary progression” exhibit of dinosaur skeletons, are a particular highlight, allowing visitors to learn about the different types of dinosaurs, their evolution, and the environments in which they lived. There is also an “open lab” where visitors can take a peek behind the scenes of the museum’s research work.
- Address
- 995-6 Mifune, Mifune-machi, Kamimashiki-gun
- Tel.
- 096-282-4051
- Open
- 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (admission until 4:30 p.m.)
- Closed
- Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
- Parking
- Available