Kumamoto Prefecture, located almost in the center of Kyushu. It is also called the "Land of Fire" because it has "Mount Aso", which has one of the world's largest calderas (depressions formed by volcanic activity).
With its magnificent nature and hot springs created by active volcanoes, Kumamoto Castle, which encourages many people as a "symbol of reconstruction" from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the famous local character "Kumamon", and delicious ingredients such as Kumamoto's brand beef "Akaushi (Red Cow)", Kumamoto has many attractions to satisfy tourists.
In this article, we will introduce recommended spots in Kumamoto, from tourist destinations to gourmet spots.
※If you purchase or reserve products introduced in the article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
Recommended Tourist Spots in Kumamoto
In Kumamoto City, there is a tram called 'Kumamoto City Tram' which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. Many of the city's tourist attractions can be reached by this tram.
From here, we will introduce tourist spots that can be easily reached by the city tram.
Recommended Kumamoto Sightseeing Spot ①: Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle, which was built over approximately seven years by the Sengoku warlord Kato Kiyomasa. The more you climb, the more the stone walls curve back, making it impossible even for ninjas to climb. This feature, known as "Musha-gaeshi", has made the castle known as an impregnable fortress.
The castle suffered significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The restoration of the castle tower was completed in 2021, but restoration work is still ongoing in areas such as the 19m high turret "Uto Yagura" and the large hall of the "Honmaru Goten" where the feudal lord conducted governmental affairs. It is said that the full restoration will not be completed until the fiscal year 2052.
In the fully restored castle tower, you can see an exhibition that focuses on the history of the "Tenshu" (Castle Tower) of Kumamoto Castle. It provides an easy-to-understand explanation of the history from the construction of the castle to its destruction in the Seinan War of 1877, the reconstruction of the Tenshu in 1960, and the damage and restoration caused by the Kumamoto earthquake, using models and videos.
In addition, from the top floor of the castle tower, you can overlook Kumamoto Castle, the cityscape of Kumamoto, and the distant mountains of Aso. You can also use the AR function of your smartphone app to overlay old photos taken in the early Meiji era onto the modern landscape.
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Kumamoto Castle
- Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
※Opening hours may be extended due to events
※On weekdays, only the south entrance is available, on weekends and holidays, both the north and south entrances are available - Closed days: December 29th to 31st
- Admission fee: 800 yen for high school students and above, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students, free for preschool children
- Access method:
- Kumamoto City Tram About 10 minutes walk from "Kumamoto Castle / City Hall Mae Station"
- About 30 minutes from Kumamoto Station by "Kumamoto Castle Tour Bus Shiromegurin"
- Official website:https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/
Recommended Kumamoto Sightseeing Spot ②: Suizenji Jojuen
"Suizenji Jojuen" is a representative daimyo garden in Kumamoto, designated as a national scenic spot and historic site. It is a "strolling garden" where you can enjoy various views while walking around a pond created using the underground water of Aso.
In the vast garden of about 73,000 square meters, there are "Tsukiyama" modeled after Mount Fuji and floating stones, and you can enjoy seasonal flowers and Japanese landscapes.
In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms, and in the "Kokin Denju no Ma", where it is said that the secrets of the "Kokin Wakashu" were taught, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while having Japanese sweets and matcha.
Suizenji Jojuen
- Address: 8-1 Suizenji Park, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
- Opening hours: 8:30～17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
- Admission fee: 400 yen for ages 16 and up, 200 yen for ages 6 to 15
- Access:
About 4 minutes on foot from Kumamoto City Tram "Suizenji Park Station"
About 10 minutes on foot from JR Hohi Main Line "Shin-Suizenji Station" - Official website:http://www.suizenji.or.jp/
Recommended Kumamoto Sightseeing Spot ③:Kumamon Square
"Kumamon", born in 2011 as a PR character for Kumamoto Prefecture, is now a popular figure not only in Japan but also around the world, working hard as the Sales Manager and Happiness Manager of Kumamoto Prefecture. The place where you can meet such a "Kumamon" is "Kumamon Square".
The main attraction of Kumamon Square is the dance show by Kumamon, which is held almost every day. With the major renovation in 2023, a circular stage was set up, and the audience can watch Kumamon's sharp dance from all angles of 360 degrees.
If you want Kumamon goods, go to the shop "BAZAAR" in Kumamon Square. More than 100 types of Kumamon goods, such as stuffed animals, key holders, and T-shirts, are lined up, and there are also original goods that can only be purchased here.
In addition, there is a photo booth where you can take pictures with a life-like Kumamon, a cafe where you can enjoy drinks with Kumamon latte art and parfaits using fruits from Kumamoto Prefecture, and games where you can play with Kumamon using AR technology, making it a place where both adults and children can enjoy.
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Kumamon Square
- Address: 1st Floor, Tetoria Kumamoto Building, 8-2 Tedori Honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Business Hours: 10:00〜19:00
- Access: 1 minute walk from "Suidomachi Station" on Kumamoto City Tram
- Official Website:https://www.kumamon-sq.jp/
Recommended Tourist Spot in Kumamoto ④: Shinmachi & Furumachi
The area recommended for those who want to visit a place where they can feel history is the castle town, Shinmachi-Furumachi district, located between Kumamoto Station and Kumamoto Castle.
Shinmachi-Furumachi was built by the Sengoku warlord Kato Kiyomasa about 400 years ago when he built Kumamoto Castle.
There are many townhouses (buildings where shops and residences are integrated) that are over 100 years old, and some of them are used as cafes, restaurants, and miscellaneous goods stores. You can enjoy meals and shopping in an atmosphere that makes you feel history.
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Shinmachi and Furumachi
- Access Method:
Get off at the Kumamoto City Bus No.1 Circular Line "Urushanmachi Bus Stop" - Get off at the Kumamoto City Tram "Gofukumachi Station"
Recommended restaurants in Kumamoto. Enjoy delicious cuisine!
①Japanese Cuisine Tomita: Enjoy the flavors of the four seasons and traditional Japanese beauty with kaiseki cuisine
"Japanese Cuisine Tomita" is located near Shirakawa Park, an oasis in Kumamoto City, and has been loved by locals since its opening in 2008. The owner, Mr. Tomita, offers a variety of dishes using natural fish from Kyushu and seasonal ingredients from all over Japan. You can enjoy seasonal kaiseki cuisine, and there are four types of courses by reservation only for both lunch and dinner, and a weekday-only lunch course is also available. Each dish evokes surprise and emotion, blending traditional techniques with new flavors.
The store was relocated and renovated in 2020, creating a space filled with traditional Japanese beauty. Welcoming guests in all private rooms, both at the counter and in the tatami room, is the pride of this restaurant. At the end of the course, matcha tea made by Mr. Tomita is served, filling the happy aftertaste with a rich aroma and flavor.
Japanese Cuisine Tomita
- Address: 4-5 Minamitsuboicho, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Access: 5-minute walk from Kumamoto City Tram Suidocho, 6-minute walk from Kumamoto Castle / City Hall, 4-minute walk from Fujisakigu-mae on Kumamoto Electric Railway, 2-minute walk from Shirakawa Park on the bus.
- Business hours:
Lunch 11:30～14:00 ・By reservation only
Dinner 18:00～22:00 ・By reservation only - Average budget:【Dinner】15,000 yen【Lunch】6,000 yen
②Aka Beef Dining yoka-yoka Teppan & Grill: Enjoy Aka Beef and Local Cuisine
Located on the 2nd floor of the Kumamoto Daiwa Roynet Hotel, "Aka Beef Dining yoka-yoka Teppan & Grill" offers local cuisine and red beef dishes. The beef used in the dishes is red beef raised on the company's ranch in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture. Red beef is attractive for its strong umami of lean meat and sweetness of fat, and is served to bring out its rich flavor.
The brown interior of the restaurant is bright and has a relaxed atmosphere. There are counter seats, table seats, and private rooms, and it caters to various scenes from affordable lunches to full-fledged dinners. It is also popular for after-parties of weddings and golf competitions.
Aka Beef Dining yoka-yoka Teppan & Grill
- Address: 2F Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kumamoto, 10-22 Hanabatacho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Access:Kumamoto City Tram in front of Hanabatacho tram stop (There is a coin parking nearby)
- Business hours:
Lunch 11:00～16:00 (L.O.15:00)
Dinner 16:00～22:00 (L.O.21:00) - Average budget:【Dinner】7000 yen【Lunch】2500 yen
③Unagi no TokuNaga KitaBu: Traditional and Dedicated Unagi Cuisine
The long-established eel restaurant, founded in 1922, reopened in various locations in 2020 as "Unagi no TokuNaga Kitabe". While facing the needs of the times, it provides eels that are demanded by modern people. The carefully selected eels are delivered directly from the production area, processed by experts on the day of purchase, and grilled. And the "sauce" that has been added and preserved without interruption since its establishment.
The restaurant's signature dishes are still loved by many people. In addition to traditional eel dishes, there are seasonal Japanese dishes, set meals, and kaiseki dishes on the menu, catering to a wide range of situations from gatherings with friends to special family events and business dinners. It is a restaurant worth visiting in various situations.
Unagi no TokuNaga Kitabe
- Address: 187 Shikako-cho, Kita-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Access: 25 minutes walk from JR Kagoshima Main Line Nishisato Station
- Business hours:
【Mon-Fri & day before holidays】Lunch 11:30-14:30 (L.O.14:00)
【Mon-Fri & day before holidays】Dinner 17:00-20:30 (L.O.20:00)
【Sat, Sun & holidays】11:30-20:30 (L.O.20:00) - Average budget:【Dinner】4000 yen
From historical spots to pop culture and gourmet food, Kumamoto has a variety of attractions. Why not consider it for your next travel destination?
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