Leisure / Hobbies Spots in Kumamoto Area

  • Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden (Suizenji Park)
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    4.0
    780 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshichuouku Suizenjikouen 8-1
    This strolling garden has been noted as one of Japan's Places of Scenic Beauty as well as a Historic Site. Construction of the garden was started by Lord Hosokawa Tadatoshii, who was the first Hosokawa lord of the Higo province and Kumamoto, and would continue for three generations. The large 10,000 square meter lake in the garden is filled with water from the Aso spring. The park opens at 7:30 AM from March to October and at 8:30 AM from November to February and a morning stroll is highly recommended. Horseback archery events are held in the spring and fall and during the summer Noh theater performances are held by fire light. Entrance to the park is a three-minute walk from the Suizenji Park stop on the Kumamoto streetcar.

    If like me, you love japanese gardens, then this is definitely a place you shouldnt miss. Its peaceful, beautiful and well arranged, and you will feel very relaxed after visiting.

  • Greenland
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    4.0
    137 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Arao Midorigaoka
    Kyushu’s largest leisure land also boasts Japan’s largest number of attractions. There are 81 kinds of activities from a Ferris wheel to various roller coasters and buffet dining, meaning adults and children can both enjoy spending the whole day here. There are also events in each season including superhero shows for kids, fireworks and illuminations.

    Transportaion a bit difficult but once younger there its amazing. They have a lot of roller coaster rides even a type that is standing. Definitely will go again

  • Aso Cuddly Dominion
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    4.0
    185 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Asoshi Kurokawa 2163
    Located on a sprawling plot of land at the foot of Mt. Aso, this zoo boasts nearly 500 specimens from approximately 100 species, including about 200 bears. It is famous for the chimpanzee Pan-kun, his daughter Purin-chan, and the dog James (currently James II), all of whom have appeared on television programs. It offers visitors many opportunities to get close and personal with the animals, including an exhibit where they can experience feeding the bears as well as a dog and cat petting facility.

    Overcrowding and unnatural forced interactions for the animals. It’s all under the guise of being cute, and one probably wouldn’t recognize the problems unless familiar with signs of distress in...

  • ASO VOLCANO MUSEUM
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    3.5
    144 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Asoshi Akamizu 1930-1
    This three-story museum in Aso City is dedicated to Mt. Aso, an active volcano. The second floor's permanent exhibit features panel displays of the area's geology and the current conditions of the volcano. The third floor has video facilities showcasing Aso's natural environment and the area's folk culture. The museum lets visitors view the craters in real time, helpful when access is restricted due to bad weather or volcanic activity. Head to the first floor for the gift shop and a restaurant serving light fare.

    I visited this after the snow storm. The view is really amazing both along the way to this and around this place FB:กินเที่ยวไม่ซ้ำ จำที่ไม่ได้ Google map:กินเที่ยวไม่ซ้ำ จำที่ไม่ได้

  • Tsuruya Department Store
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    4.0
    115 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshichuouku Tetorihonchou 6-1
    This long-standing department store, one of Kumamoto's most well-known, was opened in 1952. On the outside, the department store retains the same classic appearance it bore when it first opened, while inside it boasts one of the largest shopping floors in the country. Dedicated to being a locally-based department store delivering a high quality, elegant lifestyle, the facility strives to host shops and products rooted in the area. Because the facility refuses to stick to traditional images of department stores and promotes closeness between its employees and customers, it is popular with people of all ages. The department store also has areas for men and kids, such as a children's area and a waiting room where you can use high class audio equipment.

    We missed out this smaller building in our last trips so this time we locate while shopping at near the intersection of the Kamitōri and Shimotōri Arcades. Tsuruya Department Store Co. Ltd. operates...

  • Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens
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    4.0
    104 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshihigashiku Kengun 5-14-2
    This park is divided into the three zones of animal petting zone, seasonal flowers vegetation zone, and amusement park zone. Now, due to reconstruction work following the Kumamoto earthquake, the flower bed around the botanical garden, animal petting area, part of animal museum exhibition area (elephants, giraffes) and part of the amusement park have been opened free to the public. It is around a 10-minute walk from the Kumamoto tram’s Doshokubutsuen Irigiuchi Station.

    For some of the animals the cages are tiny. Seeing how depressed and lonely some of the animals looked whilst children jeered and tormented them was was a horrible experience. This experience changed...

  • Takamorimachi Yusui Tunnel Park
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    4.0
    108 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Asoguntakamorimachi Takamori 1034-2
    Walk 10 minutes south from Takamori Station. After construction work to connect the Takamori Line and Takachiho Line of the former national railway was stopped, 550 meters of the tunnel entrance were given over to become a park. There is a walking path set up inside the tunnel, which features all manner of attractions including the “Water Pearl” fountain where one can watch the wonderful movement of water droplets, and projection mapping. Seasonal events include the summer “Star Festival” and winter “Christmas Fantasy.”

    高森湧水トンネル公園(たかもりゆうすいとんねるこうえん)は、熊本県阿蘇郡高森町高森(くまもとけんあそぐんたかもりまちたかもり)にある公園だ。1975年、旧国鉄の高森線と高千穂線を結ぶ工事中に、採掘中のトンネルから出水。敷設計画が中止となったため、そのまま公園として整備されている。 高森湧水トンネル公園 熊本県阿蘇郡高森町高森1057−14 0967-62-3331 2022年4月12日、この日は...

  • Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall
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    3.5
    83 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kamiamakusashi Oyanomachinaka 977-1
    Near the beginning of the Edo period, Shiro Amakusa led a popular uprising fueled by faith that would become known as the “Shimabara Rebellion.” The “Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall” introduces the conflict’s background and historical context in an easy-to-understand manner using powerful video footage and other materials. Come trace the origins of this epic struggle for freedom and peace.

    向かいに道の駅があり、そちらの観光協会で割引クーポンをもらえました。少し高台にあります。教会風の建物が素敵です。

  • Suizenji Ezuko Park
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    4.0
    106 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshihigashiku Hirogimachi 935-1
    This municipal park around the perimeter of Lake Ezu has promenades and bike paths. It gets a lot of visitors, especially families who come for the array of facilities like a plaza fountain, a nature garden in Hiroki area, a kiddie pool in Suizenji area, and a wading pool in Kami-Ezu area.

    Had great afternoon, i highly recommand renting a boat and enjoying a quick relaxing moment on the lake. Suizenji park is more formal, worth it if you are interested by history and culture.

  • Iruka Marine World
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    4.5
    93 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Amakusashi Itsuwamachifutae 2977
    This company, located in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, offers dolphin watching tours year-round off the coast of Amakusa. As you sail through waters that are home to approximately 200 wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, you’ll have many opportunities to come face-to-face with the curious creatures. Spring and summer are child-rearing season, so you may even encounter baby dolphins as well. The tour lasts about an hour, and young children are more than welcome.

    So sad to watch these dolphins that were kidnapped from their pod in the wild and now have to suffer living in tiny tanks. Dolphins were meant to be in the wild, not performing for people in order to...

  • KUMAMOTO PREFECTURAL MUSEUM OF ART (Main Building)
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    4.0
    61 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshichuouku Ninomaru 2
    This prefectural art museum is on the grounds of Ninomaru Park. It has a wide range of work on display, including paintings, crafts, and a collection of prints from Kumamoto-born artist Hamada Chimei. There's also a room with a reproduction of the decorated tombs found in the prefecture. The museum has high ceilings, and its large windows look out on the wooded surroundings. They hold regular programs too like museum seminars and workshops for kids.

    熊本城の敷地内にあり、雰囲気はいいです。常設展はどうなのか、私もさっぱりですので、特別な展覧会が開催されているか確認してから行った方がいいですね。私も今回オードリーヘップバーン写真展が開催されていたので行きました。県立なので、なかなか有名な展覧会が開かれることは少ないですが、年に1回は何かあると思います。(^^; ただ、熊本ではいちばん大きな美術館だと思いますので、展覧会開催には適していると思いま...

  • Mifune Dinosaur Museum
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    4.0
    30 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kamimashikigunmifunemachi Mifune 995-6
    A Tyrannosaurus rex stands at the entrance to Mifune Dinosaur Museum, looking as if it is about to move even now. The museum is arranged into five permanent exhibit zones including dinosaur skeletons and fossils. Of these the most impressive is the “dinosaur evolution parade” with displays focused around dinosaur bones.  The Pterosaur in the ceiling is so dynamic that it looks as if it is really flying. At the museum’s “open laboratory” one can watch staff doing work such as cleaning fossils up close. This is a museum where the history and evolution of animals come alive.

    熊本城を見に行ったついでに笑 ここに寄らせて頂きました^^。 個人的に恐竜がめっちゃ好きで、福井県の勝山市にも大きい博物館がありますが、まだいっておりませんw カナダにもめっちゃいおおきいのがありますよね-- さて、ここはかなり田舎でのどかな風景が心を癒してくれますね-- で、つくとかなり綺麗な建物で、現在も発掘していて、いろいろこじんまりとした化石があります。 恐竜の骨組みは、レプリ...

  • Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center
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    4.0
    51 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshichuouku Chibajoumachi 3-35
    A cultural facility located in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture which focuses on displaying traditional crafts from the prefecture. The museum exhibits a collection some 80 varieties and 1,000 examples of crafts created by Kumamoto craftspersons such as higo zogan inlaying, porcelain, cutlery, bamboowork, and dyed and woven fabrics. Some of the exhibits can be touched, weekly events are held, and the facility also sells crafts by artisans from both Kumamoto and other areas.

    A very special place to find gifts and souvenirs - woven place mats, ceramics, scarves, tea sets....

  • ECO PARK MINAMATA
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    4.0
    23 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Minamatashi Shiomichou 1-231-12
    This large 58-hectare park is on land reclaimed from Minamata Bay. It's divided into Sea, Town, Village, and Mountain zones, and has a rose garden, a roadside station, an athletic field, and other sports facilities. A place the locals like to gather, it's frequently the venue for sporting competitions.

    テニスの大会で訪れたのだが、テニス場はもとより競技場,野球場、グランドゴルフ場、公園と複数の集合体であり,凄まじく広い! 広いとメンテが行き届かないリスクもあるが、それも皆無です。きれいに整備されてますので、非常に気持ちがいい。 閉鎖的な設置状況でもなく、オープンな作りであり,市民,県民みんなが心地よく使える施設群である。 ちょうど薔薇の咲く季節だったので、時間潰しの散策にも打って付けだった。

  • Kumamoto Prefectural Ancient Burial Mound Museum
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    4.0
    24 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Yamagashi Kaoumachiwabaru 3085
    At this museum on the site of the Iwabaru Tumuli, you can see ruins from the Kikuchi River basin, excavated artifacts, and a 3D panoramic film of a replica of the area's decorative burial mounds. On Saturdays they hold workshops in the ancient ways like making bronze mirrors. You can also see the nearby Futagozuka Tumulus and the Tunnel Tomb Group.

    初めて行きましたが。コロナの影響でイベントは中止で、館内はほぼレプリカで残念でした。本物の古墳の見学もコロナのおかげで中止でした。

  • Yoh Shomei Art Museum
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    4.5
    33 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Asogunminamiasomura Kawayou 5988-20
    "An art museum which displays around 40 original drawings and other works of art by picture book creator Shomei Yoh. Situated on a lush, green hill, the museum has a walking course on the hill's vast grass-covered plain called ""Picture Book Lane."" Inside, visitors are greeted by Jake, a dog appearing in Yoh's books; as well as Blue Bee, the blue bee who brings happiness. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy a wonderful tea time in the museum's cafe. The museum also holds original drawing exhibitions. The museum's shop sells a variety of items perfect for gifts and souvenirs, including stuffed animals, picture books, framed pictures, and prints."

    ちょうど行ったときブルービーが来ていました。小さくて動きがあるので素人にはいい写真は難しかった。でもこんな蜂がいるなんて知らなかったしとてもきれい。

  • Kokuzo Shrine
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    4.5
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Asoshi Ichinomiyamachiteno 2110
    "This Shinto shrine is one of the oldest in Kumamoto Prefecture. One of the 12 shrines of Aso, this shrine is dedicated to Hayamikatama-no-Mikoto and three other gods. The shrine is a famous for being a mystical ""power spot"" destination said to improve one's economic fortunes. Legend has it that the grove of cedars encompassing the grounds were personally planted by Hayamikatama-no-Mikoto and, although they were damaged by a major typhoon in 1991, trees more than 2,000 years old still stand straight and proud here. The shrine history-rich events throughout the year, including a field festival to pray for large harvests, a spring festival, traditional ritual to banish a sleep-inducing demon, and a rice harvesting festival."

    癒しとパワーを感じる神社です。 特に何があるとかではなく、マイナスイオンを感じてなんとなく居心地の良さのある神社です。

  • Anzu no Oka
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    4.0
    16 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Pref. Yamagashi Kikukamachishimouchida 733
    "A park located in the center of Kikuka-machi, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The Apurii farmer's market adjoins the parking area and sells vegetables picked in the area. Park facilities include a natural grass lawn and the ""Big Canyon"" playground. There are also activity centers such as a pressed flower classroom and traditional crafts classroom, and the park is visited by many locals and tourists to Kikuka-machi."

    ゴールデンウィーク最終日に訪問。朝イチで行ったせいかほぼ貸し切り。昼前には人が多くなっていたものの遊具が多く面積も広いためストレスなく子ども達と遊ぶことができました。駐車場もあり広場と近いため便利でした。

  • Monkey Showman Theater
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kumamoto Aso-gun Minamiasomura Shimono 793
    "The world's only theater dedicated to ""saru mawashi,"" a type of monkey show with a long history in Japan. The theater can accommodate 600 people and holds funny and heartwarming shows 365 days a year. Performances include handstands, walking on stilts, and even bicycle riding. The cuteness of the monkeys bring smiles to the faces of the audience and draws viewers into the performance before they know it. The theater is situated in a naturally beautiful area at the foot of Mt. Aso and inside visitors can enjoy the light banter between the monkeys and their trainers. Another great thing about the theater is that it offers subtitled translations in three languages and the theater fully incorporates universal design principles. The large theater grounds also encompass a monkey zoo where visitors can interact with monkeys, a shop selling original merchandise, and a self-service diner."

    ホテルのプランで入場券が付いていたので、行ってみました。 日曜でしたがそれほど観客は多くなく、一番前の席で見ました。 猿が可愛くて、子どもも喜んで見ていました。 すごくちゃんと芸を仕込まれていて、思った以上にクオリティが高かったです。

  • GRANDMESSE KUMAMOTO
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    3.0
    3 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Kamimashikigunmashikimachi Fukudomi 1010
    This event hall is in Mashiki Town, Kamimashiki County, Kumamoto Prefecture. The first floor consists of a roughly 8,000 square meter exhibition hall, and the second floor has a convention hall, conference rooms, and a restaurant. Their ample parking facilities can accommodate 2,200 vehicles, so it's often the venue for large prefectural events, seminars, and training sessions.

    仕事の発表会で利用した。熊本から空港行きのリムジンバスで行ったが、バス停から大きな道路を横切って会場までアクセスしなければならなかった。会場はゆったりしており、トイレや自販機等の設備も十分に揃っていた。レストランはビュッフェ形式で、おかずも多かったので満足できた。

Kumamoto Areas

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Kumamoto lies in the center of Kyushu, a calm prefecture perfect for easy strolls around the historic center and lazy evenings in the natural hot springs at Kurokawa Onsen. For a slightly more strenuous activity, head to Mount Aso, whose surrounding hills offer hiking opportunities aplenty with views over the active volcano.

Kumamoto Photo Album

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