Kumamoto

Kumamoto is located near the center of the Kyushu region and features diverse topography, including the Aso outer rim, the Kyushu Mountains, and the Amakusa Islands. The annual average temperature is about 16°C, and the annual precipitation is about 2,000 mm, maintaining a mild climate. The area around the Aso outer rim contains a large-scale caldera, and the Kuroboku soil derived from pyroclastic flows and Aso spring water form the foundation of its agriculture. In the northern part of the prefecture, including Aso City, Kikuchi City, and Koshi City, large-scale open-field vegetable cultivation utilizing vast alluvial fans has developed, and it is recognized in the national market particularly as a production area for tomatoes and large watermelons. In the lowlands along the Ariake Sea coast, such as Uki City and Uto City, greenhouse cultivation with manageable temperature control is prominent, enabling the stable year-round shipment of winter-spring tomatoes. The coastal areas centered around Amakusa City benefit from the mild climate and fishing grounds, making the aquaculture of red sea bream and Kuruma prawns an important sector. Among the volcanic ash plateaus where volcanic ash from Mount Aso has accumulated, the highlands used as grazing pastures for Kumamoto Akaushi (brown cattle) symbolize the multifaceted land use of Kumamoto agriculture.

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics (Reiwa 5 / 2023), JMA historical weather data

What characterizes agriculture in Kumamoto is the scale of Aso. The vast plateau formed by the major caldera serves as a multi-layered agricultural space combining grasslands, field cropping, and grazing. The combination of both tomatoes and watermelons being ranked 1st nationally in production indicates the coexistence of greenhouse horticulture and large-scale open-field cultivation, which differs in structure from single-crop production areas. The essence of Kumamoto agriculture is a multifaceted food supply system where agriculture, fisheries, and livestock complement each other, demonstrated by red sea bream aquaculture in Amakusa, its position as a major domestic production area for kikurage (wood ear mushroom), and the grassland livestock farming of Kumamoto Akaushi. In recent years, effort has also been put into developing strawberry production areas, and the range of items continues to expand.