Travel / Tourism Spots in Kumamoto Area

  • Aso Shrine
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    4.0
    354 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Aso-shi Ichinomiyamachi Miyaji 3083-1
    Records state this Shinto shrine was founded in 282 BCE. The head shrine of the 500-some Aso shrines across the country, the shrine is dedicated to Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto and eleven other related deities. This ancient shrine combines Shinto with a mountain faith which worships the caldera of Mt. Aso as a sacred object, and is revered as the most important shrine in what was Higo Province (now Kumamoto Prefecture). Six of the shrines structures, such as its main shrine building and two-storied gate have been designated National Important Cultural Properties. In particular, its two-storied gate is one of the largest in Kyushu and is counted as one of the three greatest two-storied shrine gates in all of Japan. Some of the shrine's many other highlights include a stone which is said to grant wishes, and a pine tree which is said to grant luck in finding love and marriage.

    Travelling to Miyaji on a JR Hohi Line Limited Express, my primarly motivation for the journey was to sample JRs attractive Kawasemi Yamasemi scenic train for the return journey to Kumamoto. With...

  • Kato Shrine
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    4.0
    365 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshichuouku Honmaru 2-1
    Located on the northern part Kumamoto Castle's grounds, this Shinto shrine honors the local feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa, who is called by the name “Seishoko-san” by the locals in friendly manner. You can recognize it by its large white torii gate. The Seishoko Festival is held every year in July. Lots of people come for the night market the evening before the main event as well as the main festival's procession.

    This shrine, located in the premises of Kumamoto Castle, is dedicated to Kato Kiyomasa, a beloved hero of Kumamoto. But the foundation of this shrine is relatively new and it only dates back to Meiji...

  • Aoi Aso-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    206 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Hitoyoshishi Kamiaoimachi 118
    This shrine was built in 806, the first year of Emperor Heizei’s reign, and became known as the shrine dedicated to the local deity of the Kuma region. The main building was constructed starting in 1610 over the course of approximately three years by Nagatsune Sagara, and it still stands today. It features a black thatched roof with steep slopes, as well as gorgeously colored, exquisitely decorative Momoyama-style sculptures. In 2008, the five sections of the main shrine building were designated National Treasures. White flowers bloom around the lotus pond in early summer, making it quite a sight to behold.

    This wooden carving Aoi Shrine has over 1200 years history. The 5 structures has been recognized National Treasures in 2008; The gate, Mail hall, Corridor, Offering hall and Oratory. There are...

  • Kumamoto Castle
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Kumamotoshichuouku Honmaru 1-1
    In 1607, Kato Kiyomasa built a castle in a hilly area called Chausuyama, which is one of the three premier castles in Japan. Thereafter, Kumamoto Castle has been a stage of a diverse history for 400 years from the Middle Ages to the present age. Castle buildings from those days are also in existence, and 13 of the buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Kumamoto Castle was damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake which occurred in April 2016, and restoration work is currently still under way.
  • 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

  • Kikuchi Gorge
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    4.5
    156 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Kikuchishi Haru
    It is located approximately 50 minutes away from the Ueki Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. This gorge stretches within the Aso-Kuju National Park, and is a scenic area that has been selected as one of the Top 100 Forested Valleys in Japan, the 100 elections of the waterfall in Japan and the Top 100 Famous Water. Also known as Kikuchi Suigen, the underground water of Mt. Asogairin, which flows between a broadleaf forest, creates various lakes and waterfalls of various sizes, creating a landscape filled with variety. The average water temperature in the summer is 13 degrees Celsius, so it is called a natural cooler and is popular as a summer resort area. You can enjoy fresh greenery in the spring, colorful leaves in the autumn and frosty flowers that bloom over the whole mountain in the winter.

    The blueish color from the water is very beautiful. It was so refreshing feeling the cool air from the waters.

  • Yachiyoza
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    4.5
    114 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Yamagashi Yamaga 1499
    Yachioyaza, one of Japan’s Important Cultural Properties, is a playhouse built in 1910. Since opening they have put on a variety of shows, but with the changing era the number of visitors fell and the place closed. However, thanks to the ardent fund-raising activities of groups both old and young, restoration took place over 30 years and it is now a working playhouse again. It is also possible to take a look behind the scenes of the theater, from the revolving stage to the theater basement.

    Yachiyoza is one of the old Japanese theaters still in use. Actually it was a reconstruction and the actual building has only 20 years of history. But it was so finely reconstructed that we can now...

  • Roadside Station Ozu
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    4.0
    78 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Pref. Kikuchigunodumachi Hikinomizu 759
    This roadside station is in Ozu Town, Kikuchi County. Its specialty shop sells items from around the prefecture, as well as handicrafts, daily essentials, and women's clothes. Their popular taiyaki treats are made with sweet potatoes (the region grows the most in the prefecture). You can watch vendors make ikinari dango dumplings, a Kumamoto favorite, as well as spicy mustard filled lotus root. The restaurant serves fare like gyudon beef rice bowl, steak, and yakiniku (Japanese style barbecue) featuring the local Aka beef.

    空港近くにあるレンタカー営業所にクルマを返却する前に立ち寄ってみました。 近隣エリアにある道の駅の中では規模が大きく土産品・農産物・馬刺し・あか牛などが入手できます。ここに立ち寄れば熊本県内の土産品が揃ってました。 宿泊した際に貰った地域クーポンも使用できるのも魅力でした。 下手に空港内の店舗で土産を購入するのならここに立ち寄ることをお薦めします。

  • Roadside Station Oguni
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    3.5
    110 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Pref. Asogunogunimachi Miyabaru 1754-17
    "This roadside station is in Oguni Town, Aso County. It's also known locally as ""Yu Station."" Completely covered in mirror glass and made with local Oguni cedar, it's Japan's first wooden-space truss building. The first floor has a gift shop selling specialty products, and the second floor is a tourist information center providing all you need to know about the region. It's on the site of what was once the Japanese National Railway's Higo-Oguni Station."

    As my title suggest , nothing much at this place. First floor sell souvenirs and snacks while the 2nd floor is a small exhibition of photo taken of various part of japan.

  • Aso Roadside Station
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    4.0
    28 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Pref. Asoshi Kurokawa 1440-1
    An excellently situated roadside station which offers superb views of Mt. Aso to the south and the outer rim of a volcanic greater standing beyond agricultural land to the north. There is an information booth inside the facility staffed by guides who will be happy to tell you about local tourist attractions and recommend special local products. The facility stands at a key crossing point between the Aso Tozan Road, National Route 57, and National Route 212.

    熊本特産品がたくさん並び、バラエティーに富んだボリューム満点の手作り弁当も飛ぶように売れていました。 観光客はもちろん、地元の方々も大勢利用されていました。 わざわざでも立ち寄る価値があると思います。

  • Kumamotojo Inari Jinja
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    3.5
    113 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Kumamoto-shi Chuo-ku Honmaru 3-13

    A small Inari Shrine that is at the SW corner of the Castle premise. Quite visible by the flagging red/white banner as we left the Castle, the red-white banner is a common Inari Shrine setup for...

  • Roadside Station Shichijo Melon Dome
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    4.0
    76 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Kikuchi-shi Shichijomachi Okada 306

    菊池市中心部から国道325号線を西に数km。国道沿いに、巨大なメロンが乗っている建物が見えてきました。それが、道の駅七城メロンドームでした。 このあたりはメロン栽培が盛んな地域のようです。立派なメロンはもちろん、メロンを使った商品もいろいろありました。七城メロン果汁を使ったメロンパンを購入し、メロン100%のジュースもいただいてみました。当然ですが、メロンパンもジュースも、メロン感がはんぱなか...

  • 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。

  • Amakusa Rozariokan
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    4.0
    63 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Amakusashi Amakusamachioe 1749
    About 65 minute drive from the Amakusa Airport, or one minute walk from the Tenshudou Iriguchi bus stop. This museum houses a collection of valuable and rare objects related to the lives, culture, and faith of the underground Christians in Amakusa history. In addition to Maria kannon statuettes, the holy water urn used during funeral services, the ‘sutra-erasing urn’, which is a prefectural Important Cultural Property, on display, through videos, the history, nature, and underground Christians’ lives are introduced. The erstwhile mass is even a reenacted. This is experienced accompanied by ‘oratio’ sounds of prayer in a full scale diorama of a ‘hidden room’ especially built for secret worship services.

    市内に幾つかある天草の隠れキリシタン関連の施設の中で、関連資料が一番整理されて纏まっていると思います。 来館したらまずは15分の映像を見てから館内を見て回ると良いでしょう。

  • Roadside Station Uki
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    4.0
    44 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Pref. Ukishi Matsubasemachikugu 757-3
    This roadside station is in Uki City near the center of Kumamoto Prefecture. Apart from providing tourist information, they have a specialty shop that sells fruit like locally harvested strawberries, melons, pears, and decopon citrus, as well as vegetables, meat, and flowers. They also offer syrups made with local fruit such as figs and lemons and other specialty products too.

    地元のJAが経営しているようで農産物が充実してます。 そこそこ大きい規模の道の駅で店内は広め、柑橘類の種類の多さ・充実度は近隣の道の駅の中でもナンバー1かもしれません。 土産品の種類も多いのでここに来れば地元のものが何でも手に入りそうな気がしました。 トイレ休憩のみではもったいない道の駅です。

  • Roadside Station Kamiamakusa Sunpearl
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    3.5
    66 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Pref. Kamiamakusashi Oyanomachinaka 11582-24
    This roadside station is on National Route 266 in central Oyano-machi. You can buy local seasonal produce and seafood from their specialty shop. The restaurant primarily serves fare made with local ingredients like seafood dishes and fried tonkatsu cutlet meal sets featuring Amakusa Bainiku brand pork. Bus parking is available, so it sees a lot of Oyano tourists.

    農産物は柑橘類中心で野菜もそこそこ売られてました。 土産品は近隣の道の駅でも見かけるような商品ばかりで目新しさは感じませんでした。 海産物は刺身がそこそこ充実しており売り場に並べられるとすぐに売れてしまうような感じでした。 客層は観光客と地元民が半々といった感じで地元民の台所になってるような道の駅という印象を受けました。

  • Roadside Station Ariake “Rippleland”
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    3.5
    64 Reviews
    Transportation
    Kumamoto Pref. Amakusashi Ariakemachikoutsura 1955
    This roadside station is on National Route 324 just as you're entering Amakusa City. Its shop has lots of items featuring octopus, a local specialty. Stop at the restaurant for a bowl of takoten-don, octopus tempura on rice. Its popular day-use hot spring facility Sazanami-no-Yu has a great view of the Ariake Sea. It also has its trademark tower and a playscape for the kids.

    建物から歩道橋を渡ると大たこのオブジェがあります、 前は海で眺めもとても良いです。休憩やランチにとても良いと思います

  • Ikeyama Suigen (Spring Source)
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    4.5
    82 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Asogunubuyamamura Tajiri 14-1
    This spring water was selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waters. With the Mt. Juku range at its source, each minute it pumps out 30 tons of water and many people come to draw from it. The water temperature remains around 13 degrees throughout the year. It is water representative of the Aso area, with a mild taste.

    We walked from the other side of hills on a very sunny day...we finished about 1 gallon of water when we finally got there... We passed several herds of cows gazing and it was scary because they...

  • Oshitoishi
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    4.0
    67 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Asogunminamiogunimachi Nakabaru 511
    This is a stone culture ruin dotted with huge megaliths named sun stones, and Cuneiform script-engraved mirror stones. If one borrows a compass from the management center and takes a walk around, the strong magnetic field means the needle which should by all rights be pointing North begins to swing creating quite an unsettling experience! It’s a spot where one can enjoy the beauty of nature including views of Mt. Kuju and Mt. Aso.

    広大な台地が広がる丘の上に、幾つかの大きな石が転がっているところです。シュメール文字?が刻まれている鏡石、祭壇石、磁気を発する押戸石、はさみ石など。周りを360度見渡せて、周りに広がる広大な大地がきれいです。遠くには阿蘇の山々が見られます。環境整備費として一人200円必要ですが、とても眺めの良いところです。進撃の巨人のロケ地となったそうです。

  • Miike Coal Mine (Manda Pit)
    rating-image
    4.0
    63 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Araoshi Haramanda 200-2
    This coal pit supported Japan’s industrial revolution and today is a registered World Heritage Site. The mine’s solemn brick structures, entrance to the underground areas, and machine room which still houses massive machinery are impressive sights. Visitors can also spend a fun time listening to the experiences of men who actually worked in the mine.

    There are hourly guided tours in Japanese if you are able to understand Japanese. If my understanding is correct, some used to work at the mine before it closed. The guides are a wealth of...

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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