This stone pathway that extends from Shimasaki, Kumamoto City to Tensui, Tamana served as the setting for Natsume Soseki's novel "Kusamakura". Nowadays, the path is set up as part of the Kusamakura Hiking Course and attracts visitors from both inside and outside Kumamoto. A recreation of the Toge-no-Chaya teahouse from "Kusamakura" is located along the course, along with a number of other historic spots mentioned in the novel. The path remains much as it looked in Natsume's time, surrounded in a lush bamboo forest and paved in well-worn stones. Signs provide important information so that even newcomers can enjoy themselves without having to worry about straying off route.

The International "Kusamakura" Haiku Competition is held in honor of Natsume Soseki, who wrote many of his haiku in Kumamoto.