Activities
The Kumamoto and northern Kyushu area offers a wealth of activities to try: from visiting a traditional master swords maker to boating on Japan’s most beautiful gorge, dolphin watching to making your own plastic food souvenir!
Tsujunkyo Bridge 通潤橋 - Yamato Kumamoto's unique aqueduct Tsujunkyo Bridge is one of Kumamoto's lesser known treasures. Built in 1854 it is not only Japan's largest stone aqueduct but also it's most unusual due to it's dramatic water release designed to remove silt from the water channels. On certain days ... read on
Japanese Sweets making experience at Tenmeido, Kawashiri town, Kumamoto City This is a fun and memorable wagashi making experience that anyone can enjoy ! Learn from a Japanese wagashi master with over 40 years of experience. What are 'Wagashi' ? Japanese sweets known as 'Wagashi' are not only tasty, they are ... read on
On the One Piece trail If you are a fan of One Piece; Japan's best selling manga and animation series you need to go on a voyage to discover Kumamoto's collection of One Piece statues scattered across the prefecture. Kumamoto Prefecture has 10 One Piece statues to see. Limited edition ... read on
Shiramizu Falls 白水滝 - Taketa Shiramizu falls in Ogimachi, Taketa is a beautiful waterfall walk only a 30 minute drive from Takamori Town in Aso. It is a little known spot but definitely worth a visit. In the summer it's a perfect place to escape the heat & even though ... read on
Sorafune Pier- そらふねの桟橋 Uchinomaki Sorafune Pier known as Sorafune no sanbashi そらふねの桟橋 is a viewing platform on top of Mt. Tangoyama 田子山. A great photo spot with views looking out over the peaceful farmland of the caldera basin to the smoking central peak of Asozan.Tangoyama , also known as Tagoyama ... read on
Yamabuki Springhead - Ubuyama The Aso area is famed for its springwaters, a wonderful side effect of the volcanic activity that has been a constant in the area for millenia. After visiting many of them I have to say, Ubuyama Village has two of the best; Ikeyama Suigen 池山水源 and Yamabuki Suigen ... read on
Higotai Park ヒゴタイ公園- Ubuyama Set on a grassy plateau at the foot of the Kuju Mountains, surrounded by undulating hills formed from ancient pyroclastic flows, Higotai Park offers panoramic views of both the Kuju Mountains and Mount Aso. The park is around 900m in altitude so it's a good place ... read on
Kyushu's only traditional puppet theatre If you are interested in Japanese traditional arts you are sure to find a visit to the Seiwa Bunraku traditional puppet theatre in Yamato Town fascinating. What is Bunraku? Bunraku is the name given to Japan's traditional puppet theatre which has a history dating back ... read on
Hakkaku Tunnel 八角トンネル photo spot This off the beaten track location is a great find for anyone interested in photography or just uniquely mysterious scenes. Recently popularised on instagram Hakkaku Tunnel in Misato town has a strange retro sci-fi feel that has to be experienced. About Hakkaku tunnel Coming across ... read on
Originally from Britain I've now been based in Japan for at least 20 years; living in Okinawa, Kagoshima, Hiroshima, Kochi, Yakushima and Kumamoto twice. I haven't always been a guide though. I became involved in tourism by chance when I moved to the World Heritage island of Yakushima in 2012 ... read on
Hassaku Festival creations If you are interested in art and traditional crafts in Japan then while you are in Kyushu definitely make time to visit Yamato town to see the Hassaku Festival creations. These amazing objects, made entirely of natural materials, are created each year and paraded through town during ... read on
Cosmos コスモス Flower Viewing When you think of autumn in Japan the image that first comes to mind is probably bright red maple leaves not a sea of pink and white flowers. But for many Japanese the cheerful blooms of the Cosmos flower are one of the country's most typical ... read on
Higanbana 彼岸花 Spider Lily viewing After a long, hot summer the arrival of the spider lillies in mid September heralds the beginning of autumn. The tall stalks and dramatic bright red blooms seem to shoot up out of nowhere appearing around paddy fields, embankments and verges. The flowering season is ... read on
In a kink in the Shirakawa river next to an electricity plant there is a very curious shrine. Driving home from the city the other day I realise I have time to explore somewhere new before it gets dark. I've been to all the main shrines in Kumamoto but have ... read on
Senjokawara - the perfect place to stay cool in the summer Summers in Japan are hot and humid so heading to a river to splash around or take a swim is one of the best ways to cool down and stay sane. Unfortunately, though there are plenty of rivers around ... read on
Kamishikimi Kumano-imasu Shrine If you only have time to visit one shrine in the Aso area, visit the one with the longest name. Kamishikimi Kumano-imasu Shrine is definitely worth the journey even if you're not a huge fan of shrines. Situated a few kilometres from Takamori Town in Minami Aso, ... read on
Meototaki Falls 夫婦滝 - Oguni Meototaki 夫婦滝 or Meoto Falls situated nearby the village of Kurokawa Onsen is not one waterfall but two. Meoto translates as 'male and female' and the waterfall comprises two adjacent waterfalls; a male and a female one that meet together and blend to form one ... read on
If you are travelling with kids, particularly older ones, sometimes you have to have a break from the shrines and temples and do something that will make their holiday special. Forest Adventure Misato definately does that, you not only get to experience the beauty of Japan's forests and nature but ... read on
Ideventure - take a thrilling and peaceful ride down the rice farming irrigation canals of Kikuchi. What is it? Ideventure is a great summer activity and it's unique to Kikuchi Town, difficult to describe it is best to simply see it for yourself, take a look: The crazy idea of taking an inflatable kayak down a ... read on
Lamune Onsen ラムネ温泉 Named after Japan's traditional fizzy drink Lamune or Ramune, this quirky soda pop spa is a hot spring that attracts onsen officianados and admirers of architecture from all over Japan. Why visit? Firstly, the onsen water itself is naturally carbonated, tiny bubbles fizzing and collecting around you ... read on
The Chojabaru plateau is a lovely stopping off point on the Yamanami Highway midway between Aso and Yufuin in the midst of the Kuju mountains. Famed for the Tadawara Marsh, a Ramsar designated wetland of international importance which is situated on the north west side of the Kuju mountain range. The marshland offers ... read on
The Tomioka Castle was built in 1602 on the Tomioka Peninsula on the western reaches of Amakusa Shimoshima. The castle nicknamed the 'Lying Dragon Castle' was considered a subsidiary castle to Karatsu castle nicknamed the 'Flying Crane'. Tomioka Castle made excellent use of its natural defenses, being located on a hilly penisula ... read on
With its extensive white sands and crystal-clear emerald-green sea, the completely unspoilt Mogushi Beach is a rarity in Japan. It is one of the most beautiful natural beaches in Kyushu and has a deserved place in Japan's top 100 beaches. The beach is in an out of the way location only accessible by car ... read on
Amakusa Dolphin Watching In the beautiful blue sea between the Shimabara peninsula and the northern point of the Amakusa Shimoshima Island there lives a pod of around 200 wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. Man and dolphin have long lived in harmony in this area, the dolphins are present year round due to the ... read on
The Kuju Flower Park offers stunning seasonal displays of flowers set against beautiful mountain scenery. [ytplayer id=7253] The Kuju Flower Park, or Kuju Hana Kouen くじゅう花公園, offers seasonal displays of over 3 million flowers in 500 different varieties from spring to late autumn. The park covers 49 acres of the beautiful Kuju plateau, ... read on
The Kokonoe 'Yume' Otsurihashi 九重夢大吊橋 is Japan's largest pedestrian suspension bridge. The bridge offers marvellous views of one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls. The graceful span hangs and sometimes sways above the deep Kyusui ravine at a height of 173 m above the river valley floor. With a length of 390 m and an altitude ... read on
Tucked away in the foothills of Mount Waita, within sight of the Oita border, lies the little known Waita onsen area, a collection of six small onsen resorts. This is a remarkable area, everywhere you look you will see, smell and hear the violently gushing steam and bubbling vents. These puncture ... read on
Tsuetate Onsen A hidden valley in the far north of Kumamoto nicknamed 'Kyushu's inner sanctum', the once lively Tsuetate onsen resort has a 1800 year history and is still a fascinating place to visit, not least because of its faded glory and step back in time Showa era atmosphere. The hot ... read on
Oshitoishi Hill 押戸石- Minami Oguni Oshitoishi has the reputation of a powerspot, a group of mysterious standing stones situated on a hill on the pyroclastic flows above the northern caldera edge of the giant Aso caldera. On top of the grassy hillside there is a mysterious line of rocks. The ... read on
Noyaki - the burning of the grasslands If you visit the Aso area in late February or March you might be surprised to find the lush green grasslands you saw in all the photos scorched and blackened. Don't worry a war has not broken out it's only the yearly Noyaki. Noyaki season ... read on
Aso Sankinkotai Road Walk Parts of an ancient highway dating from the end of the 16th century still remain in the Aso region, this short walk takes you from the village of Akamizu (Redwater) up to the top of the caldera wall and back down again. The route follows the path the Kumamoto ... read on
Ancient Burial Mound Museum The Kumamoto Prefectural Ancient Burial Mound museum in Yamaga celebrates the many and various decorated tumuli of Kumamoto. A tumulus is an ancient burial mound, there are approximately 200,000 of these burial mounds scattered over Japan all dating back from 400 to 700 AD. The era ... read on
Tonkararin If you love a good mystery - or dark, narrow spaces! - , then you are bound to be intrigued by Tonkararin. The many questions surrounding Tonkararin serve to make the site more interesting and you cannot help but come up with your own theories as you explore. Tonkararin is so mysterious ... read on
Ogidake View Point A neighbour's recommendation took us to the Ogidake view point 荻岳(Mount Ogi) east of Aso one sunny Sunday in February. The Ogidake lookout is one of the few points from where you can get panoramic views of Kyushu's 3 major mountain ranges, Aso, Kuju and Sobo. On a ... read on
Ikeyama Springs Of all the springs I've visited in the Aso area, the Ikeyama Springs one has the biggest wow factor. Possibly because I visited in early February and to come across this lush green oasis in the middle of winter was something special. Situated a few km north of the tiny village ... read on
Kokuzo Shrine Tucked away in the shade of the caldera wall in the hamlet of Teno you will find the Kokuzo Shrine 国造神社. Situated only 6 km north of the better known Aso Shrine if you have time the Kokuzo shrine is definitely worth a detour. Why visit? Primarily because here ... read on
So what's the Kumamoto region like in its different seasons? These seasonal photos taken while exploring the region should give you an idea! Summer Autumn Winter Spring ... read on
Japanese cuisine is famous worldwide, so why not try cooking in Kumamoto; you can pick up some Japanese cooking techniques, meet the locals and experience making some traditional dishes: See below to see what is on offer. All the activities can be put into one of our Kumamoto City Tours. Make Your ... read on
The solemnly peaceful 1800 year old Takachiho Shrine is set in a wonderful grove of towering Japanese Cryptomeria trees, the oldest said to be over 1000 years old. Takachiho Shrine is the head shrine of the 88 shrines of the 18 villages of Takachiho. The most famous of the trees surrounding the ... read on
You may be an old hand at onsens but have you ever had a cave bath? The Ryokan Yamanoyado Shinmeikan in Kurokawa has carved its baths directly out of the cliffside, the result is a very steamy, dark and womblike experience. There are female, male and a large mixed bath ... read on
Takachiho is not only famous for its gorge, it is also the creator of 'Nagashi Soumen' - 'flowing noodles' just about the most fun way to eat noodles ever! This simple and refreshing summer dish is made of super thin wheat flour noodles, plunged into ice cold water eaten with ... read on
The Kikuchi castle ruins are an archaeological site stretching over 150 hectares on a hillside overlooking the town of Kikuchi. The site is the location of a 1,300 year old hill fort built in the 7th century by the Yamato government to protect the country from invasion from the Korean ... read on
The waters of Kikuchi Onsen hotspring resort are famed for their healing and beautifying properties. Surprisingly the onsen, also known as Waifu Onsen, was only discovered 60 years ago, the local myth states that a wise, old man called Mr Murakami was told the location of the hot spring by a white dragon in a dream. The ... read on
One of the most popular activities to do in Takachiho Gorge is to rent out a rowing boat and experience the gorge from the water. Boats cost 4,000 or 5,000 Yen and seat 3 people or 4 if there is a small child, the boats are rented out for 30 ... read on
One of the largest theme parks on the island of Kyushu, Mitsui Greenland dominates the small city of Arao an hour's drive north of Kumamoto. Here's what the experts from Theme Park Review have to say about it: Mitsui Greenland offers something for just about everybody on one big piece ... read on
After the hot spring heaven of Kurokawa why not take a trip to Hell? Sparrow Hell - or Suzume Jigoku in Japanese. This is a cold water volcanic sulphur spring, the gas is so powerful it can kill sparrows and even tanuki and fox have been found killed by the ... read on
Ama No Yasukawara Cave From the Ama No Iwato Shrine take a 10-minute walk along the Iwato River, past many delicious looking icecream stalls, descend a steepish path over a simple, arched bridge into the river valley, follow the river path for a few minutes and rounding a corner you will suddenly come to a vast ... read on
Just over the border into Miyazaki Prefecture, the romantic Takachiho Gorge winds its way through the sleepy town of Takachiho. The gorge was formed from the pyroclastic flow of the Aso volcanos, when sudden cooling led to dramatic columnar formations and sheer cliffs that rise above the river between 80 to ... read on
Sakuranobaba Jousaien This recently opened Edo style tourist spot close to the castle is based on a facsimile of a traditional castle town area. (Unfortunately Kumamoto lost most of its traditional buildings during the Seinan Civil War just after the Meiji Restoration.) The area is very touristy but quite nicely done and worth popping ... read on