Paths for People

Kikuyo lies at a key point along routes connecting Kumamoto, Aso, and Oita, and is home to many historical roads where people and products made there way along for centuries. The Bungo Kaido, known for it's cedar-lined section in Ozu, is the most famous of the historical roads, while others still act as important routes for the daily lives of residents. Many of these old roads are still in use today, with stone monuments erected along the roads offering glimpses into the history of the area.

The Bungo Kaido, an old road used by nobility when traveling to the capital, is one of the main historical roads of Kumamoto, and is up to 40 meters wide at its widest. It currently acts as a major regional roadway. The route passes along many famous locations, including Musashizuka Park, home to the gravesite of the master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, who was invited by Hosokawa Tadatoshi to act as instructor of military strategy.

The Nango Okan was also an economically important thoroughfare linking Akita-fu, the capital of Higo (modern day Kumamoto Prefecture), to Nango in Aso and Taketa in Oita. This route fell out of use with the creation of Route 57, but taking a stroll along the moss-covered cobblestones gives you a good idea of the historical splendor this road once enjoyed.

There exists a number of other roads that still act as cultural heritage sites and important thoroughfares for local residents, such as the Takaba Okan that connects Ozu with Takaba in Koshi.