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Three must-see highlights that define a trip to Kumamoto.
We handpicked three iconic highlights of Kumamoto!
· Mt. Aso: One of the world’s largest calderas, with the still-active Nakadake crater. The sweeping grasslands of Kusasenri-ga-hama are breathtaking.
· Kumamoto Castle: One of Japan’s three premier castles. A powerful symbol of recovery after the earthquakes, showcasing the genius of Kiyomasa Katō’s fortification techniques.
· Kurokawa Onsen: A nostalgic hot-spring town along a gorge. With the Nyūto Tegata pass, you can hop between open-air baths at multiple inns.
One of Japan’s three premier castles, famed for its elegant “warrior-repelling” stone walls.
“Invincible” and magnificent — a symbol of recovery built by Lord Kiyomasa!
Built by Katō Kiyomasa, this imposing black castle suffered heavy damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes, but the interior of the main keep reopened in 2021 after restoration.
The castle’s ongoing recovery embodies Kumamoto’s resilience today.
◆ Highlights: The graceful stone walls known as musha-gaeshi curve more steeply toward the top — a true work of art.
◆ Trivia: The castle grounds are said to have once had around 120 wells, preparing for potential sieges.
◆ Access: About a 10-minute walk from “Kumamoto Castle/City Hall” tram stop.
One of the world’s largest calderas — the emblem of the “Land of Fire.”
Feel a living planet with your whole body!
The still-active Nakadake crater and the sprawling Kusasenri-ga-hama grassland at its foot are quintessential Aso scenery. On the vast grassland — about 1 km across — a large pond sits among gently rolling fields where grazing horses calmly munch away.
You can savor both the raw power of a volcano and the soothing calm of pastoral grasslands.
◆ Highlights: The emerald-green crater lake at Nakadake is a jaw-dropping sight. (Note: viewing may be restricted depending on volcanic activity.)
◆ Trivia: Horseback riding at Kusasenri is fun for both kids and adults — channel your inner cowboy!
◆ Access: About 35 minutes by bus from JR Aso Station.
A picturesque hot-spring town strung along a gorge, lined with traditional inns.
Use the Nyūto Tegata pass to hop between dreamy open-air baths!
Awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan, Kurokawa captivates with its cohesive townscape. Strolling in yukata and wooden clogs is part of the experience.
With minimal signage and a streetscape blending into nature, every angle feels like a scene from a travel poster.
◆ Highlights: With the famous wooden Nyūto Tegata pass, you can choose three open-air baths from nearly 30 inns.
◆ Trivia: Locals uphold the concept that “the entire town is one single inn,” which helps preserve its scenery.
◆ Access: About 50 minutes by Kyushu Odan Bus from JR Aso Station.
Meet wild dolphins! A thrilling cruise with a 98% sighting rate.
Dolphins jump right beside the boat!
Around 200 wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins inhabit the waters off Amakusa, and encounters are highly likely year-round.
Curious by nature, the dolphins often approach tour boats, letting you admire them at close range.
◆ Highlights: Watching pods jump and swim alongside the boat excites both children and adults.
◆ Trivia: Amakusa is steeped in Christian history; consider pairing your trip with World Heritage sites like Sakitsu Village.
◆ Access: Dolphin-watching boats depart from several ports on Amakusa Shimoshima Island.
A mystical power spot where a mossy stone stairway leads into another world.
Like stepping into an animated film — a mysterious forest awaits!
A cedar-lined approach dotted with lanterns climbs endlessly through moss-covered stone steps. Its ethereal atmosphere went viral on social media, catapulting it to fame.
The serene compound exudes a divine aura that calms the soul.
◆ Highlights: Behind the main hall stands Ugeto-iwa, a massive rock pierced through (over 10 m in both width and height), believed to bring victory in endeavors.
◆ Trivia: Because a popular manga artist hails from Aso, fans regard this as one of the “holy sites.”
◆ Access: About 10 minutes by car from Takamori Station (Minamiaso Railway).
A rare “rear-view” waterfall you can walk behind — dappled light creates a soothing scene.
Gaze at the world from behind a curtain of water!
About 20 meters wide, this unique waterfall allows you to walk behind the flowing water like a shimmering curtain. It became famous after appearing in a popular tea commercial.
In spring, limited-time illuminations transform the falls into a dreamlike spectacle.
◆ Highlights: In fresh-green season, sunbeams filtering through leaves paint the space behind the falls with breathtaking beauty.
◆ Trivia: The walkway behind the falls is wider than you might think, letting you pass without getting wet — soak up those negative ions!
◆ Access: About 20 minutes by car from Kurokawa Onsen. To ease congestion, advance reservations are currently required.
A 360° panorama overlooking the Aso caldera.
See the iconic “Aso Nirvana” silhouette lying across the horizon!
The highest peak on Aso’s outer rim (936 m), Daikanbō offers one of the best vantage points in the region. The five peaks of Aso resemble a reclining Buddha — the famed “Nirvana” view.
A 360-degree panorama showcases Aso’s majestic scale.
◆ Highlights: On chilly mornings from autumn to winter, you may witness a sea of clouds blanketing the caldera.
◆ Trivia: The name “Daikanbō” was given by Kumamoto-born literary giant Tokutomi Sohō — a truly “grand view.”
◆ Access: It sits at the end of the scenic “Milk Road” drive from Aso Station.
An elegant stroll garden in Momoyama style, inspired by the 53 Stations of the Tokaido.
Pristine waters fed by Mt. Aso’s underground springs!
Built over three generations by the Hosokawa lords, this daimyo garden features spring-fed ponds and a miniature Mt. Fuji.
Designated as both a Scenic Beauty and a Historic Site of Japan, it offers a refined, tranquil atmosphere.
◆ Highlights: The thatched “Kokon Denju-no-Ma,” relocated from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, serves matcha to visitors.
◆ Trivia: At Izumi Shrine inside the garden, you can drink sacred “Longevity Water.”
◆ Access: About a 4-minute walk from “Suizenji Koen” tram stop.
60 tons per minute! A “Top 100 Famous Waters of Japan” spring bubbling up crystal clear.
So abundant the sand on the bottom dances!
This is the main source of the Shirakawa River, which flows through Kumamoto City. At a constant 14°C year-round, spring water wells up from underground, stirring the sand below — a mesmerizing sight.
Recognized among Japan’s “Top 100 Famous Waters,” visitors can freely take water home.
◆ Highlights: The water’s clarity makes aquatic plants appear as if they’re floating in midair.
◆ Trivia: Nearby shops serve coffee brewed with this water and delightful mizumanjū (water jelly).
◆ Access: About a 15-minute walk from “Minamiaso Shirakawa Suigen” Station (Minamiaso Railway).
Over 2,300 years of history — the head shrine of around 500 Aso Shrines nationwide.
On the road to full recovery — the spiritual heart of Aso’s people.
Rare among Japanese shrines, Aso Shrine features a lateral approach that runs along the side rather than straight to the front hall. The 2016 earthquakes toppled the Important Cultural Property two-story gate and the worship hall, but thanks to broad support, the tower gate was restored in 2023.
Feel the ongoing progress of revival as you offer your prayers.
◆ Highlights: The “wish stones,” which you rub three times as you pray, and the “Takasago Pine” known for matchmaking blessings.
◆ Trivia: The restored gate was rebuilt using traditional joinery techniques without nails.
◆ Access: About a 15-minute walk from JR Miyaji Station.
A Meiji-era playhouse brimming with chic and energy — an Important Cultural Property.
Explore everything from below-stage “hell” to the revolving stage!
Built in 1910 in Edo-period style, this theater boasts a hand-turned revolving stage on German rails and a naraku space under the runway.
It still hosts regular performances, including those by kabuki star Tamasaburō Bandō.
◆ Highlights: When there’s no show, guided tours reveal the human-powered stage mechanics up close.
◆ Trivia: The ceiling’s retro ads are all carefully restored reproductions.
◆ Access: About a 5-minute walk from Yamaga Bus Center.
One of Japan’s three swiftest rivers — challenge rapids guided by veteran boatmen.
Spray, thrills, and stunning gorge scenery!
Alongside the Mogami and Fuji rivers, the Kuma River ranks among Japan’s three great rapids. Traditional wooden boats depart from the castle town of Hitoyoshi and weave through a beautiful gorge.
After the 2020 floods, operations resumed with partially revised routes — a testament to the region’s powerful recovery.
◆ Highlights: Watch skilled boatmen maneuver with a single pole — a masterful performance.
◆ Trivia: In the past, these strong currents transported tribute rice and timber downstream.
◆ Access: Boats depart near JR Hitoyoshi Station.
Nicknamed “nature’s air conditioner” — pleasantly cool even in summer.
Azure streams, lush greens, and shimmering light weave a perfect scene!
Fed by springs from Aso’s outer rim, the gorge is famed for “Kikuchi Blue” — crystal-clear waters.
With an average water temperature of just 13°C, the air remains refreshingly cool, drawing many visitors seeking relief from summer heat.
◆ Highlights: Selected among Japan’s Famous Waters, the clarity is so striking it feels purifying.
◆ Trivia: Well-maintained trails offer multiple routes suitable for different fitness levels — ideal for forest bathing.
◆ Access: About 70 minutes by car from central Kumamoto City.
One of Japan’s largest former coal mine facilities — a pillar of modernization.
Towering steel headframes and red-brick buildings tell the coal era’s story!
Once a main shaft of the Miike Coal Mine, Manda Pit contributed to Japan’s modernization and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.”
Designed with cutting-edge technology of its day, it played a critical role in the nation’s growth.
◆ Highlights: See one of Japan’s largest surviving steel headframes and handsome brick architecture.
◆ Trivia: Frequently used as a filming location for movies and tokusatsu hero shows — that explosive scene might just be here!
◆ Access: About 20 minutes by bus from JR Ōmuta Station.
Experience Kumamoto’s food and culture at the foot of Kumamoto Castle.
Graze on “umakamon” (Kumamoto’s tasty treats) in a castle-town setting!
Recreating an Edo-period castle town at the base of Kumamoto Castle, Josaien hosts 23 carefully selected shops from across the prefecture for dining and souvenir hunting.
Beyond sit-down meals, try strolling and sampling specialties like ikinaridango and spicy lotus root.
◆ Highlights: At the Wakuwakuza culture experience facility, you can virtually tour old Kumamoto Castle via VR.
◆ Trivia: The “Kumamoto Castle Hospitality Samurai Team” performs daily, offering lively shows and photo ops.
◆ Access: About a 7-minute walk from “Hanabatacho” tram stop.
Lean, flavorful Akaushi beef raised on Aso’s vast grasslands, served generously.
The flavor of Aso in a bowl — that perfectly pink sear is irresistible!
Grazed on Aso’s sweeping pastures, Akaushi cattle yield low-fat, umami-rich red meat popular with health-conscious diners.
Slices cooked to a succulent medium-rare bloom like a flower atop rice — a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
◆ Highlights: Best enjoyed with a soft-boiled egg and house-made sauce. Many famous spots draw long lines.
◆ Trivia: Gentle-tempered Akaushi help maintain Aso’s grasslands by grazing.
◆ Access: Numerous renowned eateries cluster around Aso City, especially the Uchinomaki Onsen area.
A curious and cool water park inside a tunnel where spring water gushes forth.
An abandoned railway project gave birth to a wonder of water and relaxation!
During construction of a former Japan National Railways tunnel, massive water seepage halted the project. The site was repurposed into a rare public park.
Inside, temperatures hover around 17°C year-round — pleasantly cool in summer and warm in winter.
◆ Highlights: Deep within lies the “Water Pearl,” a fountain whose droplets appear to morph into various shapes.
◆ Trivia: Seasonal events include a Tanabata festival in summer and a Christmas Fantasy in winter, transforming the tunnel with lights.
◆ Access: About a 10-minute walk from Takamori Station (Minamiaso Railway).
Women in yukata dance with golden paper lanterns balanced on their heads — elegant, otherworldly midsummer nights.
Flickering lights paint the summer night with enchantment!
Held annually on August 15–16, Yamaga’s biggest festival traces its history to the Muromachi era and captivates with its refined beauty.
The climax, the “Thousand-Lantern Dance,” sees women in yukata form circles with golden lanterns poised on their heads.
◆ Highlights: The lanterns, crafted from paper and glue alone, are the handiwork of master tōrōshi artisans.
◆ Trivia: Fireworks crown the finale, pairing brilliantly with the lantern-lit townscape.
◆ Access: Events unfold in central Yamaga City; note that extensive traffic restrictions apply on festival days.
“Little Kyoto of Higo” — a town shaped by the Sagara clan’s 700-year rule.
Tour shochu distilleries and artisan workshops to meet timeless craftsmanship!
From the Kamakura period to the Meiji Restoration, the Sagara clan governed this castle town for some 700 years. In addition to National Treasure Aoi Aso Shrine, the town is dotted with miso/soy sauce breweries, Kuma shochu distilleries, and craft studios.
Many businesses have come roaring back after the 2020 floods, exuding a powerful spirit of revival.
◆ Highlights: Stroll the stone-lined Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins and old artisan streets like Kajiyamachi.
◆ Trivia: The Hitoyoshi-Kuma area is one of only four in Japan where a local product (Kuma Shochu) is recognized with geographical indication in its very name.
◆ Access: Base yourself around JR Hitoyoshi Station and explore on foot or by rental bicycle.
A stone aqueduct bridge designated a National Treasure — famous for its dramatic water discharge.
The pinnacle of Edo-period stonemasonry still in service today!
Built to channel irrigation water to the drought-prone Shiraito Plateau, Tsūjun is one of Japan’s largest stone aqueduct bridges and was designated a National Treasure in 2023 for its technical and historical value.
Restored after the Kumamoto Earthquakes, it now stands as an icon of creative reconstruction.
◆ Highlights: The periodic water release, which flushes sediment from the conduit, is a must-see spectacle.
◆ Trivia: The discharge is an essential maintenance task — not just entertainment for visitors.
◆ Access: About 70 minutes by car from central Kumamoto City. Discharge schedules are irregular and sometimes by reservation; check the official website in advance.
A Meiji-era port preserved almost intact, with exquisite stone embankments — a World Heritage site.
Stroll a retro harbor town steeped in Meiji romance!
Built under the Meiji government by a Dutch engineer, Misumi West Port is part of the UNESCO “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.”
Its stone quays, waterways, and Western-style buildings were cutting-edge for their time and survive today in near-original form.
◆ Highlights: Landmarks include Urashimaya, the former Misumi Summary Court, and Ryūjōkan — handsome Western-style structures from the era.
◆ Trivia: The designer, Mulder, also worked on the Tone Canal; this is the only place where one of his port designs remains so intact.
◆ Access: About 5 minutes by bus or taxi from Misumi Station, the terminus of the JR Misumi Line.