{"id":1173,"date":"2024-07-19T11:41:50","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T02:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/higojournal.com\/en\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2024-07-19T11:41:50","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T02:41:50","slug":"where-does-route-3-begin-and-end-in-kumamoto-i-rode-from-one-end-to-the-other-on-a-moped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/higojournal.com\/en\/archives\/where-does-route-3-begin-and-end-in-kumamoto-i-rode-from-one-end-to-the-other-on-a-moped.html","title":{"rendered":"Where Does Route 3 Begin And End In Kumamoto? I Rode From One End To The Other On A Moped."},"content":{"rendered":"

National Route 3 is probably the most mentioned road when talking about Kumamoto’s roads. Out of curiosity about its length and wanting to learn more about the road and where it leads, I rode my moped from the Fukuoka prefectural border at Kahoku in Yamaga City, all the way to the border with Kagoshima in Minamata City.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Route 3<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

National Route 3 is a familiar sight for those living in Kumamoto.<\/span><\/p>\n

It runs from Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka all the way to Kagoshima City via Kumamoto.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Curious about its full extent, I decided to ride it from one end to the other. And I did it on a moped.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

So, I hopped on my trusty Little Cub and headed to Kahoku.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

This is where Kumamoto meets Fukuoka. It’s 42km to downtown Kumamoto from here. I was already feeling a bit tired and ready to turn back, but this was just the starting point.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it’s covered in ivy and hard to make out, there is also a stone monument marked “Kumamoto-Fukuoka Prefectural Boundary.”<\/span><\/p>\n

From here, I planned to follow Route 3 all the way to the border with Kagoshima Prefecture, stopping at roadside stations to enjoy some local delicacies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

For the record, my odometer read “36,436 km” at the start. I wonder how many kilometers it will be from one end to the other…<\/span><\/p>\n

Idyllic One-Lane Road<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding along National Route 3, shortly after entering Kumamoto, you’ll find “Michi-no-Eki Kahoku.” It seemed too early for a break, so I rode past, though there were quite a few cars parked there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

It already feels like I’ve been riding for a while, but it’s still 20 km to Kumamoto City and 63 km to Yatsushiro. The journey seems endless.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Living in Kumamoto City, you might think of Route 3 as a major road, but in Yamaga City, it’s just a single lane.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I continued along this peaceful road, heading toward Kumamoto City.<\/span><\/p>\n

To Kumamoto City<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Passing through Ueki, entering Kumamoto City, and moving past the Nitori and Uniqlo at Yomogi, the road widens to two lanes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Continuing straight, I passed straight through the heart of Kumamoto City, at Suidocho. This area, which intersects with <\/span>Densha-dori<\/span><\/i> (the main street along\u00a0which\u00a0the city tram runs), is quite busy with traffic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The familiar roads are somewhat comforting. From here, I went straight, crossing Choroku Bridge toward Uto.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

In Minami-ku, Route 3 merges temporarily with National Route 57, another major route which cuts through the prefecture from east to west. This was news to me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By this point, I was starting to feel quite tired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passing Through Uto and Uki to Yatsushiro<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Routes 3 and 57 stay merged up to Uto.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning left here takes you along Route 57 towards Amakusa, while turning right keeps you on Route 3 heading for Yatsushiro and Uki.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, the sign finally showed the distance to Minamata: “76 km.” Whether this is a moped-friendly distance is highly debatable, but I hoped to reach it before dusk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon after, I entered Uki City. I had planned to stop at “Michi-no-Eki Uki” but missed the entrance and passed it by. The next roadside station is “Michi-no-Eki Ryuhoku” in Hikawa Town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

This is \u201cMichi no Eki Ryukoku\u201d (Roadside Station Ryukoku) located along Route 3.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s hard to see in the photo due to the glare from the sun overhead, but the electronic board sadly reads “Closed Today.” I held back tears and continued on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

After a while, I entered Yatsushiro City. Seeing the smoke rise from the Nippon Paper factory, I truly felt I had arrived in Yatsushiro.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Before heading into the city center of Yatsushiro, Route 3 forks left on the way to Minamata.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

From Hinagu, the route runs along the coast, offering stunning views.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Continuing on, I encountered the Akamatsu Tunnel, the first tunnel since starting in Yamaga City.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ashikita Town at the End of the Tunnel<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

As I emerged from the tunnel, I arrived in Ashikita Town. Right away, I came across “Michi-no-Eki Tanoura,” but unfortunately, it was closed for the day. The sun was beginning to set. Could I make it to the edge of Minamata by sunset?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Another tunnel, “Sashiki Tunnel,” appeared. It was a bit intimidating to ride through on a moped because of its length. While there were no tunnels in the northern part of the prefecture, the south had several. The differences are quite intriguing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

After passing through Ashikita Town, I stopped in Tsunagi Town.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although not a roadside station, <\/span>the Shikisai Products Store was open, so I took a short break.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Route 3 to the Minamata<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Past Tsunagi Town, I finally reached Minamata City. At this point, I began to feel almost empty inside, almost as if in a meditative state.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the sun began to set, I began to wonder,\u00a0“what am I even doing?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

I tried stopping at “Michi-no-Eki Minamata,” but it had already closed for the day at 5 PM. So close, yet so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, I was determined to reach my final goal, the Kagoshima prefectural border at Minamata, and pressed on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Endpoint of the Journey<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding in the beautiful twilight, something came into my line of sight–<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

I found it! \u201cIzumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture!\u201d I had made it to the end of Route 3!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

I somehow managed to reach the end of Route 3 by sunset.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The odometer read \u201c36,583km\u201d upon arrival. I had started at \u201c36,436km,\u201d covering approximately 147km…<\/span><\/p>\n

I had filled up right before starting and didn\u2019t need to refuel along the way. Not even 500 yen on gas! The Honda Cub is amazing! (Not an advertisement)<\/span><\/p>\n

National Route 3: Connecting Kahoku to Minamata<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

So that is how I rode a moped along Route 3 from one end of Kumamoto to the other, from Kahoku, Yamaga City to Fukuro, Minamata City.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the border with Kagoshima Prefecture, there was a small store called \u201cSakai-no-cha\u201d . Thank you, store manager grandma, for taking my picture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even on familiar roads, there were many unexpected discoveries! If you have the time, I highly recommend exploring Route 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then, seconds later, I was hit by a wave of despair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow I have to go back to Kumamoto City…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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