​🚗 Day 6: The Kumamoto Road Trip

​Kumamoto is absolutely stunning and best explored by car. We picked up our rental from Toyota Rent a Car (Kumamoto Shinkansen Ext. Shop) and had a different experience each day.

• ​Day 6: We drove a Toyota Yaris.

• ​Day 7: We switched to a typical Japanese "boxy" car (a "Kei car" style).

• ​The Verdict: While drivers in Europe and the US are used to large SUVs or 4x4s, Japan’s roads are notoriously narrow. We vastly preferred the small, cubic car.

• ​The Advantage: It fit much better within the road lines, which is a huge relief when you are still getting used to driving on the left side of the road. It made navigating tight mountain passes much less stressful!

​Cost: €77 for the first full day (8 AM – 7 PM) and approximately €30 for the half-day on Day 7.

​🪪 The Essential Driver’s Note: License Translation

​To drive in Japan (remember, they drive on the left!), many nationalities need a certified Japanese translation of their license.

​The Process: We used Keikaku for an express translation (3-week delivery).

​The Cost: It was €112 per license—a bit pricey, but worth every penny for the freedom a car provides. Plan at least a month in advance!

​🏴‍☠️ The One Piece Statue Treasure Hunt

​Kumamoto’s Tribute to Eiichiro Oda

​The real highlight of Kumamoto is the One Piece Statue Project. After the 2016 earthquake, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda (a Kumamoto native) donated to the recovery. In thanks, the prefecture installed life-sized bronze statues of the Straw Hat Pirates across various towns.

​The Mission: To find all the statues, you will need a car and a sense of adventure. They are scattered across parks, town halls, and scenic squares.

​The Vibe: It turns the entire prefecture into a giant scavenger hunt! Each statue represents a different part of the crew helping the community rebuild.

​A "Gem" Memory: Pulling up to a quiet town square in our little cubic car and seeing Luffy or Chopper standing there is a thrill for any fan.

​💡 Pro-Tip for the Hunt:

​"Don't rush! While we spent two days on the road to catch them all, each location offers a unique look at rural Japanese life. The small car isn't just a preference—it’s a necessity for some of the narrower village roads where the statues are hidden."