Hitoyoshi City is located in the southern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, a land of beautiful scenery with the Kuma River, one of Japan's three fastest rivers, running through the center of the city. It is also located between Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, and serves as a hub for exchange between the two. Remnants of the castle town still remain in the center of Hitoyoshi City, earning it the nickname "Little Kyoto." Major tourist attractions include Hitoyoshi Onsen, Kuma River boating, rafting, and Kaname Falls, which was selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls. The city is also famous for its traditional toy, Kijiuma, passed down in the Hitoyoshi and Kuma regions, and other unique traditional toys, such as Unsun Karuta, whose gameplay has been passed down to the present day.