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Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Kumamoto Prefecture [2025]
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Kumamoto Castle
4.6
/5
522 reviews
6.4
From NZD 9.28
3.8 km from downtown
Phone +81 96-352-5900
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0002, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.1 of Night Attractions in Kumamoto Prefecture
Highlights:
360° view of Kumamoto
One of Japan's top castles
Saved by 503 users208 positive reviews
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Kumamoto Castle is full of ingenuity. In my mind, the castle ruins are truly magnificent.
Most astonishing are the piles of stones beneath the walls. They were rolled down during the Kumamoto earthquake. While progress is slow, they will one day be rebuilt.
The environment is nice, clean and tidy, with an antique feel. However, it has been almost ten years since the earthquake. The building was not repaired the last time I went there, and there was no significant progress this time. It is still a long way to go before it is repaired. I guess it is very difficult to repair ancient buildings, and there is no way to fix it.
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Kurokawa Onsen
4.7
/5
85 reviews
6.0
Based on 476 reviews
49.2 km from downtown
Phone +81-967-440076
Address: Manganji, Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-2402, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Unlimited access to unique hot springs
Unique outdoor bath & nature
Saved by 362 users45% positive reviews
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I would like to recommend Kurokawa Onsen! There are baths, you can eat while walking, and the air is delicious and relaxing. A car is necessary and the roads are narrow, but they are one-way so it is easy to get around ☺️ The people are kind and friendly, and it feels like you are on a trip, which makes you feel good 🎵
It was a wonderful time, with the leaves turning red. The scenery was beautiful no matter where you looked, and the hot springs were very pleasant. The sulfur smell was not too strong, so you won't have to worry about your clothes getting smelly and not being able to get rid of it even after washing!
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Mount Aso
4.8
/5
213 reviews
5.4
34.5 km from downtown
Phone +81-967-223111
Address: Takawara, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2223, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
View active volcano & vast grasslands
Scenic trails around the crater
Saved by 260 users31% positive reviews
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Aso has a unique weather and is home to flowers, birds and butterflies. More than 2,500 mm of rainfall falls on the grassland every year, seeping into the vast land and becoming the source of six first-level rivers, providing water for about 2.3 million people in Kyushu. There are as many as 1,500 places in Aso that are known as "famous water". Because the grassland is fertile and the grass grown is suitable for grazing, the milk produced here is also very fresh. Let's drink this glass of milk from Mount Aso🥛
I was very lucky. This time when I went to Aso, I happened to encounter the crater opening, so I could check in the volcano up close.
We made an appointment for Aso Boy at the manual window three days in advance, but failed to make an appointment, so we took the ordinary JR to Aso. So if you want to take a special train, it is best to make an appointment online in advance.
Aso Volcano is free, but the transportation cost is not cheap. Excluding the cost of going to and from Aso Station, it costs 730 one way and 1460 round trip from Aso Station to Aso Mountain. There are 5 stations on this line. Generally, Kusa Chisato will come down to take a look. It is recommended to buy a pass for 1500 yen. From Aso Mountain to the crater, the one-way cost is 600 yen, and the pass cannot be used. So it costs 2660 yen for a round trip.
In addition, you must pay attention to the time. We went to Kamishiromi Kumanoza Shrine first. When we arrived in Aso, there was only the last bus to Aso Mountain, so we didn’t get off Kusa Chisato. It was so beautiful to see Kusa Chisato on the bus. Don’t miss it. I’m really sorry.
The last bus from Aso Station to Mt. Aso is at 14:55, and the last bus to the crater is at 15:30. The last bus to the crater is at 15:45.
In addition, if you get on the bus from Kusa Senri and take the last bus back to Aso Station, you must leave time for the return JR. because you may not be able to squeeze into the shuttle bus.
The scenery is amazing, it is worth a visit, and if you have enough time, you can also take a helicopter.
No.
4
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Kumamon Square
4.5
/5
153 reviews
5.4
Based on 265 reviews
3 km from downtown
Phone +81 96-327-9066
Address: Japan, 〒860-0808 Kumamoto, Chuo Ward, Tetorihoncho, 8−2 テトリアくまもとビル 1階
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kumamoto Prefecture
Highlights:
Official limited Kumamon souvenirs
Photo op with Kumamon
Saved by 226 users43% positive reviews
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There are two performances every day, from 2:00 to 2:30 in the afternoon, which is very suitable for parent-child activities. Of course, adults are also very happy. Minister Bear is cute, lively and interactive. Not bad 👍
The mascot of Kumamoto City, the last person to speak, is always crowded wherever he goes, all wanting to see him! That is Kumamon, known as the Minister of Bear! The office is always empty, because he is on patrol!
No.
5
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Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
4.9
/5
14 reviews
5.3
Based on 57 reviews
39.6 km from downtown
Phone +81 967622300
Address: 2619 Kamishikimi, Takamori, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-1601, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
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Deep in the secrets of the Aso region, there is actually a very famous hidden attraction. That is Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine.
Because the shrine is located in the deep mountains and dense forests, on the way to the temple, you can see moss-covered stone lanterns and torii. The moment you step in, it feels like you have walked into another world, so this place is also called the "mysterious entrance to the other world."
The two popular anime "Firefly Forest" and "Natsume's Book of Friends" were filmed here, adding a touch of mystery to this place, attracting countless anime fans like me to come here for pilgrimage
[Scenery] A secret spot highly recommended by locals
[Fun] A new landmark for locals, a mysterious trail with a beautiful wooden staircase that you can't see the top of, a place rich in history and culture. After climbing to the top, in addition to the shrine, there is also a mysterious boulder. Stepping over the boulder will bring good luck!
No.
6
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Suizenji Jojuen Garden
4.6
/5
183 reviews
5.1
Based on 792 reviews
790m from downtown
Phone +81-96-3830074
Address: Kumamoto-ken, Kumamoto-shi, Chūō-ku, Suizenji Kōen, 8−1
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Highlights:
Mount Aso: Nature & Manmade Fusion
Recognized as a national treasure
Saved by 176 users32% positive reviews
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Suizenji Jojuen Garden is also a place you can visit in Kumamoto. It takes 10 to 20 minutes by car from the city. The whole garden is quite designed. There is a very beautiful lake in the middle with many fat fish. If you like history, you can spend more time there. Normally, one and a half hours is enough to finish the tour. If the weather is good, it is still quite photogenic.
The tickets for Suizenji Chengqu Garden are quite unique. We bought them from a vending machine, and the pattern on each ticket is different.
The scenic spot is not big, and the ticket is not expensive, 400 yen. One hour is enough to walk around and take photos.
Except for the shade of the trees at the entrance, it is relatively cool. The whole scenic area is quite sunny, which is really unbearable in the summer.
The courtyard is average, and the waterscape feels a bit cramped. But the fish are quite fat. There is also a small torii in the scenic area, but it’s a pity that there are always people nearby, otherwise it would be quite photogenic.
No.
7
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Aso Nakadake Crater 1
4.8
/5
40 reviews
5.1
33.8 km from downtown
Phone +81 967-34-0554
Address: Kurokawa, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2225, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Highlights:
Watch active volcano smoke & layers
Explore rare active volcano craters
53% positive reviews
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One of a kind experience and breath taking views to absorb should it be of acceptable air quality at the crater area/ proximity.
Whether you can see the crater depends on the weather, and whether you can see the crater is active depends on luck. Our driver repeatedly praised the passengers on this bus for their good luck. The last time he brought passengers here, it was all white and nothing could be seen. This time, the volcano was smoking!
No.
8
Aso Boy
4.7
/5
22 reviews
5.1
4.9 km from downtown
Phone +81-50-37861717
Address: Kumamoto-remote area
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
No.2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kumamoto Prefecture
Highlights:
Breathtaking views of Mount Aso
Ball pit & exclusive seats
Saved by 112 users
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This is a sightseeing train from Kumamoto Station to Sankaku Station. The calm and majestic black color is embellished with a golden exterior, with angel-carved glass, a wooden ceiling inlaid with a golden logo, velvet seat covers with classical patterns, and colorful icy glass everywhere.
Aso Boy, a JR limited express train that originally ran from Hakata, Kyushu, to Aso. Due to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the road from Kumamoto to Aso was damaged and was changed to run between Beppu Station and Aso Station. All seats are reserved in the car. The black puppy is its LOGO. There are 4 carriages in total, and the third carriage (Cargo3) is a parent-child carriage. The cafe, ocean ball pool, and stamping are all located in this section. A must-do JR train when going to Kyushu.
No.
9
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Sakuranobaba Josaien
4.3
/5
43 reviews
4.8
Based on 575 reviews
3.9 km from downtown
Phone +81 96-288-5577
Address: 1-1-2 Ninomaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0008, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 3 hours
Highlights:
Free Japanese costume photo op
Edo-style town architecture
Saved by 118 users29% positive reviews
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Next to Kumamoto Castle is Sakura-no-Baba. It's not a big place, it's actually a small market with food and shopping. There are quite a lot of people. You can find a place to sit down and eat something. If you don't eat, you can basically finish the shopping in 20 minutes. It's not a must-visit place, but because it's right next to Kumamoto Castle, it's nice to stop by and take a look.
Go around the southwest of the city wall and enter Sakura-no-Babajo-saien. It is divided into two parts: Wowa-Woza and Sakura-no-Koji. Wowa-Woza mainly uses real scenes and digital reproductions to take visitors back to the era of Kato Kiyomasa, the founder of Kumamoto Castle; Sakura-no-Koji reproduces the street scenes of the Edo period and brings together 23 local cuisines selected from Kumamoto Prefecture, allowing visitors to buy souvenirs and enjoy delicious food in this nostalgic neighborhood. The sanitation workers are lying on the city wall to clean up the weeds. It seems that there are no protective measures, which is as thrilling as rock climbing with bare hands.
No.
10
Kusasenri
4.4
/5
88 reviews
5.0
30.9 km from downtown
Phone +81 967-34-1600
Address: Japan, 〒869-1505 Kumamoto, Aso, 草千里ヶ浜
Recommended sightseeing time: 3 hours
31% positive reviews
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This place is a huge flat grassland , as weny there in winter so the grass covered with lots of snow.
the weather starts to cold , and the place , the grassland starts to turn yellow from green , the road is wide and don't miss the restaurant
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