Explore Kumamoto

About Kumamoto City

Kumamoto City is the second largest city in Kyushu island with a population of around 730,000 people. Kumamoto prefecture is situated in the centre of the island of Kyushu on its western coast. The city nestles at the base of the Kinpozan mountains and grew up around Kumamoto Castle which was completed by the great samurai general Kato Kiyomasa in 1607. The domain of Kumamoto (at that time called Higo) went on become the military and cultural capital of Kyushu for centuries.

The 'Last Samurai' connection...

In 1877 Kumamoto City suffered by being at the center of the Seinan Civil War. Kumamoto Castle was besieged by the last samurai of Kagoshima; Saigo Takamori and his followers. The siege went on for over 2 months and during it much of the castle and city were destroyed by fire and fighting. Takamori lost and the  Meiji restoration followed, opening Japan up to the outside world and heralding the end of the samurai. Alongside came the advent of industrialisation, Fukuoka rose to take the position of the largest city in Kyushu, due to its more strategic location and deep water port.

musagaeshi
suizenji gardens
kumamoto city

These days Kumamoto is known as a vibrant and relaxed city offering great restaurants and fashionable shops, art museums and freshwater lakes fed by underground springs. Boasting the best water quality in Japan thanks to the nearby Aso region.

painting of kumamoto castle in edo era

Kumamoto Castle - one of Japan's top 3

Many of the city’s historical samurai roots remain. Kumamoto Castle underwent a huge restoration project completed in time for its 400th birthday in 2007 making it one of the top tourist destinations in Kyushu.  Unfortunately in the spring of 2016 two huge earthquakes hit the region resulting in massive damage to the castle. 

Restoration is well under way though it is a process that will take decades to complete. The castle can still be visited, an elevated walkway has been built through the grounds so that you can see the castle grounds and also the devastion the earthquake caused plus the painstaking efforts to rebuild.

Explore Kumamoto city

Kumamoto's literary links

Kumamoto also has strong literary links, the famous Japanese author, Natsume Soseki (the guy on the old 1000 Yen note) spent several years here while teaching at Kumamoto University and wrote about many of his experiences. Lafcadio Hearn, the Greek Irish writer who was one of the first foreigners to write about his life in Japan also spent several years teaching in Kumamoto. About Kumamoto he wrote:

 

“The future of greatness of Japan will depend on the preservation of that Kyushu or Kumamoto spirit, the love of what is plain and good and simple, and the hatred of useless luxury and extravagance in life.”

The traditional Japanese house he lived in can still be visited, tucked away behind the Tsuruya Department Store which sells high fashion and luxury brand name goods in the city centre.

The 'One Piece' connection

Fans of Japanese manga will be excited to know that Kumamoto is also the birthplace of Eijiro Oda the creator of the world famous manga pirate adventure ‘One Piece’

Dotted around Kumamoto Prefecture you will come across statues of  the most famous One Piece characters.

This one of Luffy is in front of the Kumamoto Prefectural Hall.

Luffy statue One Piece autumn Kumamoto Prefectural in front of office

Kumamon - the mascot of Kumamoto

Another character you won’t be able to miss is Kumamon, Japan’s top mascot and the symbol of Kumamoto Prefecture. The smiling black bear with the rosy red cheeks was invented when the shinkansen was connected to Kumamoto in 2010, but he took the nation by storm in 2011 when he won the prize for Japan’s best Yurukyara mascot.

 Due to clever marketing by Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamon’s fame has now spread overseas and you can even meet him in person (or should it be in bearson?) at his office in Kumamon Square by Tsuruya Department store. Check his diary here!

black bear with red cheeks
explore kumamoto places kumamon square
suizenji park

Gardens & lakes

The beautifully kept Suizenji Gardens date back to the 17th Century and are well worth visiting in every season. 

A short walk away you will come to the lovely Ezuko Lake area, a popular spot for Kumamoto locals to relax.

Explore Kumamoto -Kumamoto City lake Ezu

Kinpozan Mountains

Kumamoto has a strong connection with Musashi Miyamoto, Japan’s most legendary swordsman. Coming to Kumamoto at the invitation of the Hosokawa Lords he spent his last few years in Kumamoto city and it was in the Reigando cave on the slopes of Kinpozan he produced his master work The Book of Five Rings.

Samurai swords tour - reigando cave

If you are interested in learning more about Musashi the Shimada Museum in Kumamoto City is worth visiting and in Musashigaoka you can see his official grave. 

Mt. Kinpozan is a dormant volcano, ancient lava flows provided plenty of volcanic tuff – the rock used to build Kumamoto castle and also to terrace the mountain sides. The slopes are used for cultivating a variety of citrus fruits and from the Orange road you can watch the sun setting over the Ariake sea with the active volcano Mt. Unzen in the distance.

 

Below are activities and sights you can explore in and around Kumamoto City. Click on the titles to find out more. If you are interested in visiting any of these places on a guided tour contact Explore Kumamoto for a quote.

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
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
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
kumamoto city
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
The Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens are situated on the eastern edge of the city on the edge of the beautiful Ezu Lake. If you are travelling with children or just need a break from castles and temples the Zoo is sure to keep everyone amused and at only 300 Yen per adult and ... ... read on
Rent a Bicycle What better way to explore the city and beyond than by renting a bicycle for a day. Kumamoto City is a great place to cycle around with wide pavements and very few slopes. You can reach Suizenji Park or Tatsuda Nature Park  from the city center within a leisurely 30 ... ... read on
SItuated within an easy walk of the castle, the Kumamoto Traditional Crafts Center (Kumamoto Kougeikan) celebrates and promotes Kumamoto's unique range of traditional crafts. The crafts you can see range from intricately designed black and gold pieces of Higo inlay to modern and traditional glassware and pottery, traditional toys, razor sharp cooking knives, washi ... ... read on
rakkan buddhas reigando cave
The Reigando Cave, in Japanese simply Reigando 霊巌洞, is a mysterious and sacred cave located on the Western slopes of Mt. Kinpo the 200,000 year old extinct volcanic peak that is the backdrop to Kumamoto City. Famed as the cave where the great philosopher swordsman Musashi Miyamoto spent his last ... ... read on
Suizenji Gardens Also known as Suizenji Jojuen Park, these beautiful gardens are situated in the east of the city, a 15 minute tram ride from the city center. Suizenji Jojuen is a very popular destination for both Japanese and international tourists, however, on a weekday it is possible to have the ... ... read on
samurai swords tour
Tatsuda Nature Park is well worth putting on your itinerary for a day out in the city. Tucked away behind Kumamoto University, perhaps its difficult to find location means that it is not more well-known. The park stands on Mt. Tatsuda, a forested hill in the north eastern part of the ... ... read on
Explore Kumamoto city
Kumamoto castle suffered severe damage in the earthquakes of April 14th and 16th, it is currently closed to visitors. The mighty and impenetrable Kumamoto Castle has dominated and protected the city of Kumamoto for over 400 years. Recently ranked the top Japanese Castle to visit on Trip Advisor, Kumamoto Jo has long ... ... read on
boating on Ezu Lake
Upper Ezu Lake is just 30 minutes from the heart of the city and 10 minutes walk from Suizenji Park. It's a wonderful place to just hang out and relax or have a picnic but if you fancy doing something a little more active renting a rowing boat or a character ... ... read on
Explore Kumamoto -Kumamoto City lake Ezu
An oasis just a few km from the  heart of the city, Ezu Lake (江津湖 Ezuko)  is a natural lake fed by the underground springs Kumamoto is famous for. The springs bubble up from Suizenji Gardens and feed the lake with crystal clear, refreshingly cool water. The gourd shaped lake has ... ... read on
“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.” ― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings Miyamoto Musashi is a name every Japanese person knows as belonging to the greatest samurai ... ... read on
Kumamon If you visit Kumamoto you will not fail to see a certain black bear with rosy red cheeks on everything from the buses to your toothpaste.  Since his debut in 2010 Kumamon has become the ubiquitous mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture and a national favourite. The cheeky black bear with the rosy ... ... read on
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