Kumamoto is the place to be when you visit! 6 Sightseeing Spots in Kumamoto

Kumamoto, Kyushu, is famous for its adorable Yurukyara (traditional Japanese characters), but there are also many other attractions such as Kumamoto Castle and other historic spots and the vast nature found in Mt.

In this issue, we will introduce some of the recommended sightseeing spots that you should visit when you come to Kumamoto.

For sightseeing in Kumamoto, we recommend SOTETSU GRAND FRESA KUMAMOTO (Opening December 6, 2022) and HOTEL SUNROUTE KUMAMOTO are recommended!

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is one of the three famous castles in Japan that you must visit if you come to Kumamoto. Also known as Ginko Castle, it was built by Kiyomasa Kato in 1607.
The castle was caged for more than 50 days during the Civil War in 1877 and was considered impregnable, but just before the war began, the castle keep and the Honmaru Palace were engulfed in flames.
In the plaza in front of the castle tower, there is a large ginkgo tree, from which the name "Ginkgo Castle" was derived. It is said that this ginkgo was planted by Kiyomasa Kato, but it too was burned down just before the Civil War in 1877. The current ginkgo is the result of new shoots that grew after the fire.
Kumamoto Castle is also famous for its cherry blossoms, with approximately 800 cherry trees in full bloom in the spring.
The castle keep was damaged by the Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016, but restoration work has progressed and the castle keep was completed in March 2021. The castle tower is now open to the public in stages, and the interior of the castle tower has been open to the public since October 2021.

Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto
Access: A 5 minute walk from "Kumamoto Castle, City Hall Mae" on the Kumamoto City Tram

Suizenji Seishuen (Suizenji Park Suizenji Seishuen (Suizenji Park)

The garden is a Momoyama-style garden, originally built in 1632 as a teahouse by Tadatoshi I of the Hosokawa family of Higo, and later completed when Tsunatoshi III took over. The name "Seishu-en" comes from a poem by the Chinese poet Tao Yuan-ming (帰去来辞).
The garden is crowded with visitors during the cherry blossom season in spring. The Suizenji Ezu Lake Spring Group is also recognized as one of the 100 best springs in the Heisei era.

Address: 8-1 Suizenji Koen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto
Access: A 4 minute walk from "Suizenji Koen" on the Kumamoto City Tram

Mt. Aso

Known as one of the world's largest calderas, this volcano consists of an outer ring and several central crater hills. It is believed that Kumamoto is called the "Land of Fire" because of this volcano.
The name "Aso" often refers to the mountain range stretching from east to west, centering on the five Aso peaks: Takadake, Nekodake, Nakadake, Karasubodake, and Kijimadake, all of which are first-class scenery. The crater of Nakadake in the central crater hill can be viewed.
*There are restrictions on entry. Please check Aso Volcano Crater Restriction Information for details.

Address: Kurokawa, Aso-shi, Kumamoto (Nakadake Crater)
Address: Approx. 80 minutes by car from the Kumamoto I.C. of the Kyushu Expressway
35 minutes by Sanko bus from JR Hohi Main Line "Aso Station",getting off at "Aso-san-nishi Station" bus stop.


Kusasenri-gahama Beach
One of Aso's representative tourist attractions, Kusasenri boasts a perfect location with its large pond and grazing horses that walk leisurely. Visitors can enjoy a different view each season, from the fresh greenery in summer to the snowy landscape in winter.
Whether you choose to experience nature on foot, admire the magnificent view from the observation deck, or ride a horse to enjoy the powerful scenery, we recommend that you do so.
* Horseback riding (Aso Kusasenri Horse Riding Club) is closed from December to February.
* Some areas are inaccessible due to volcanic activity. Please check Aso Volcano Crater Restriction Information for details.

Address: Kusasenrigahama, Aso-shi, Kumamoto
Access: Approx. 70 minutes by car from the Kumamoto I.C. of the Kyushu Expressway

Nabigataki Park

A waterfall with a drop of about 10 meters and a width of about 20 meters, it is a popular tourist spot used in a tea commercial.
The waterfall is said to have been created by a huge eruption about 90,000 years ago that created the Aso caldera, and its broad, curtain-like cascade is graceful.
The waterfall can be seen up close by the river, and is a relaxing spot where visitors can feel the negative ions.

*Admission is by advance reservation only through the website.

Address: Kurobuchi, Oguni-cho, Aso-gun, Kumamoto
Access: Approx. 60 minutes by car from the Hita I.C. of the Kyushu Expressway
Approx. 90 minutes by car from the Kumamoto I.C. of the Kyushu Expressway


Aso Farmland

The theme of the park is "Fun, Health and Vigor". Aso Farmland is a hands-on health theme park where you can have fun and be healthy and energetic in a vast natural setting. The park offers attractions that use your body and brain, a "petting zoo" where you can interact with about 35 kinds of animals, an outdoor bath in a large garden, and restaurants with a variety of healthy menus, making it a spot where the whole family can enjoy themselves. Through the six pillars of "exercise, food, healing, lodging, experience, and shopping," the goal is for visitors to find their own personalized health-building methods, realize the importance and wonder of health, and apply this knowledge to their daily lives.

Address: 5579-3 Kawayo, Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto
Access: Approx. 60 minutes by car from the Kumamoto I.C. of the Kyushu Expressway 
Take the Sanko Bus get off at "Aso Farmland" bus stop.


How was it? We have introduced some of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kumamoto that you should keep in mind when you visit Kumamoto.

If you are planning to visit Kumamoto, please refer to the above list.

For sightseeing in Kumamoto, we recommend SOTETSU GRAND FRESA KUMAMOTO (Opening December 6, 2022) and HOTEL SUNROUTE KUMAMOTO are recommended!

*Information as of September 2022.
 

Recommended hotels for this article

• SOTETSU GRAND FRESA KUMAMOTO
• HOTEL SUNROUTE KUMAMOTO

See a list of hotels