Stay at Kumonoyu Ryokan, a boutique inn nestled in the heart of Yamaoka City, just a 10-minute walk from the Sakuragoe Tunnels. This traditional Japanese-style retreat features tatami rooms with private onsen and garden views, offering an immersive experience amidst ancient history and serene nature. The inn also provides guided cultural tours to explore the tunnels’ archaeological significance. For exclusive access and availability, book via the HopeGoo app.

Just a 5-minute walk from the Sakuragoe Tunnels, visit Yamaoka Old Street Dining, a century-old eatery renowned for its fresh Kumamoto black pork dishes. Their signature "Black Pork Hot Pot" uses locally raised pork in a rich, naturally sweet broth. The restaurant maintains a Shōwa-era wooden interior with hand-painted screens and traditional tatami seating, creating a nostalgic dining atmosphere. Daily limited-edition "Tunnel Special Rice Box" is available—featuring local rice and pickled plum from Yamaoka, perfect for tasting regional flavors. Arrive early to secure one.

Follow the well-marked Yamaoka Historical Trail westward from the Sakuragoe Tunnels—just a 12-minute walk leads to Ōhata Shrine, a sacred Shinto site with a thousand-year-old vermilion torii gate and stone lanterns. Lined with cherry and maple trees, the trail offers seasonal beauty and scattered archaeological relics like ancient pottery fragments. It’s an ideal journey through time. Bring water and a light backpack, and use the HopeGoo app to download offline maps for seamless navigation.