Long ago, people didn’t have to walk more than a few steps from their house before work presented itself. Then the industrial revolution invented commuting. This, those in charge decided, required public transportation, and thus, in 1916, the Kumamoto tram system was created. Over the years, it has expanded and contracted - recently mostly the latter, as cars and buses have taken over most of its clientele - but it is still hanging in there with its main line from Kengun dividing into the Kitakumamoto and Tatsuki stations at Karashima (I hope they finally get around to extending the line to the market itself, and a spur to the zoo).
Kumanichi reports that ridership is healthy, rebounding from the earthquake and a fare increase to an all-time high. Kumamoto without the tram would be difficult to imagine. Below is a link to the Kumanichi stats and some historical photos of tram lines long disappeared. - William