Kumamoto Prefecture, located in Kyushu in southwestern Japan, offers a diverse range of landscapes shaped by nature. From the dramatic scenery of Mount Aso, with its vast grasslands and active volcano, to the serene beauty of the Amakusa islands surrounded by clear blue seas, each area has its own unique appeal. At the heart of the region lies Kumamoto Castle, a symbol of the prefecture, around which a historic castle town has developed. So, what kind of journey will you create in Kumamoto?
Kumamoto Prefecture’s Director of Sales and Happiness
Kumamon, the Official PR Character of Kumamoto Prefecture, is popular all across Japan. You’ll find Kumamon everywhere in Kumamoto, not only in person but also in statues, displays, and a wide variety of merchandise.
Kumamoto Castle is regarded as one of Japan’s three great castles. Although it suffered significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, restoration efforts are still ongoing today. The main keep, which reopened in 2021 after extensive restoration, now features engaging exhibits that explore the castle’s history, architecture, and the ingenuity behind its design. From the top floor, visitors can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Kumamoto City. The castle is equally captivating at night, when the illuminated keep creates a striking and atmospheric scene not to be missed.
Price: 800 yen (high school students and above), 300 yen (elementary and junior high school students)
| Access | Price: 800 yen (high school students and above), 300 yen (elementary and junior high school students) |
| Business hours | 9:00–17:00 (last admission at 16:00) *Main keep last entry at 16:30 |
| URL | https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/en/ |
A tourist complex located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle. At the Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza, visitors can explore the history of Kumamoto through virtual experiences. Sakurano Kouji lined with shops offering local cuisine and souvenirs, making it a great place to enjoy Kumamoto’s flavors. A tourist information center is also available.
| URL | https://www.sakuranobaba-johsaien.jp/english/ |
A traditional stroll garden centered around a spring-fed pond, featuring a miniature hill that represents Mt. Fuji and beautifully landscaped scenery throughout the grounds. Within the garden stands Izumi Shrine, where visitors can enjoy a calm and relaxing moment while experiencing the history and culture of Kumamoto.
Price: 500 yen
| Access | JR Shin-Suizenji Sta. → 12-min walk |
| Business hours | 8:30–17:00 (last admission at 16:30) |
| URL | https://www.suizenji.or.jp/en/ |
The largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto Prefecture. It is a lively food district lined with cafés and local cuisine restaurants, as well as convenience stores and drugstores, making it a convenient place to pick up anything you might need during your trip.
| Access | JR Kumamoto Sta. → 15 min by bus → Torichosuji stop → 1-min walk |
| URL | https://shimotoori.com/en/ |
Kumamoto ramen is known for its rich, deeply flavorful pork bone broth, enhanced by the distinctive aroma of mayu, a fragrant roasted garlic oil. Unlike typical tonkotsu ramen with thin noodles, this regional specialty features medium-thick, straight noodles.
Akaushi is a premium variety of wagyu raised in the vast, open landscapes of Aso. It is known for its excellent balance of lean meat and fat, and can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes such as steaks, rice bowls, and croquettes.
A beloved local specialty of Kumamoto, karashi renkon features crisp lotus root filled with spicy karashi miso, then lightly battered and deep-fried to golden perfection. It has a pleasantly spicy flavor and pairs perfectly with sake.
Kuma jochu is a traditional rice-based spirit produced in the Hitoyoshi and Kuma region. Made using pure underground water from the Kuma River and crafted with time-honored techniques, it is known for its clean, smooth flavor. Light and easy to drink, it’s an excellent introduction to shochu, even for those trying it for the first time.
One of Aso’s most iconic scenic spots, Kusasenrigahama is a vast grassland located at an altitude of about 1,100 meters, formed by layers of volcanic ash. The sweeping views of grazing horses alongside the smoking crater of Mt. Nakadake create a truly breathtaking landscape.
Visitors can also enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including horseback riding and trekking.
*Please do not approach the grazing horses.
| Access | JR Aso Sta. → 30 min by bus → Kusasenri Aso Volcano Museum-mae stop → 1-min walk |
One of Kumamoto’s most famous natural springs, Shirakawa Spring is also selected as one of Japan’s “100 Exquisite Waters” by the Ministry of the Environment. Crystal-clear water flows here at an impressive rate of 60 tons per minute. Visitors can freely drink the fresh spring water or take some home. Bottled, treated water and empty bottles are also available for purchase.
Price: 100 yen (cooperation fee)
| Access | Minami-Aso Shirakawa-Suigen Sta. (Minami-Aso Railway) → 15-min walk / Kumamoto Airport → 40 min by car |
A shrine known for its mystical atmosphere and popular on social media. Stone steps covered in moss lead up to the shrine, lined with 97 stone lanterns, creating a scene that feels almost otherworldly.
Beyond the main hall lies a massive wind cave known as Ugetoiwa Rock, measuring over 10 meters in both height and width. According to legend, it was created when the demon Kihachihoshi kicked through the rock. The site is believed to bring good fortune and success.
| Access | Takamori Sta. (Minami-Aso Railway) → 16 min by bus → Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine Iriguchi stop / Kumamoto Airport → 50 min by car |
Mt. Kuratake, the highest peak in the Amakusa Islands at 682 meters above sea level, has long been revered as a sacred mountain by local people. At its summit stands Kuratake Shrine, built to pray for safety at sea. From here, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Amakusa Islands and the surrounding ocean.
| Access | JR Kumamoto Sta. → 2 hr 10 min by car / Kumamoto Airport → 2 hr 30 min by car / Amakusa Airport → 50 min by car |
Around 200 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins inhabit the waters off Tsujishima Island in Itsuwa Town, Amakusa City. When you head out by boat, you have a very high chance of encountering these wild dolphins. The dolphins are known for their curiosity and often swim close to the boat, allowing you to observe them up close. The experience typically takes about one hour, though it may take longer if the dolphins are farther away.
Price: 3,000 yen (junior high school students and above), 2,000 yen (elementary school students), 1,000 yen (ages 2 and over), free (under 2)
*An additional 500 yen environmental fee applies (elementary school students and above)
| Access | JR Kumamoto Sta. → 2 hr 10 min by car / Kumamoto Airport → 2 hr 30 min by car / Amakusa Airport → 15 min by car |
| Business hours | 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00 (check-in required at least 15 minutes before departure) *The 16:00 departure is not available from November to February |
| Regular holiday | In case of severe weather |
| URL | https://www.amakusa-dolphin.jp/default.html |
Soar along a wire from the summit of Mt. Shiratake, standing 373 meters above sea level. This exhilarating zipline stretches approximately 350 meters, offering a 40-second journey through the sky. As you glide over the landscape, you can take in sweeping views of the Amakusa Sea, combining breathtaking scenery with an exciting sense of speed and freedom. There is also a nearby campsite, making it a great spot to enjoy outdoor activities.
Price: 3,000 yen (high school students and above), 2,000 yen (elementary and junior high school students)
| Access | JR Kumamoto Sta. → 1 hr 40 min by car / Amakusa Airport → 60 min by car |
| Business hours | 1st slot 9:00–9:20, 2nd slot 11:15–11:35, 3rd slot 14:30–14:50 |
| Regular holiday | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Dec 28–Jan 4 (subject to change during holiday periods) |
| URL | https://tenku-zipline.jp/ |
