Kumamoto-shi

Asia

/

Japan

/

Kumamoto-shi

Kumamoto City is the capital of Kumamoto Prefecture, located on the west coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. As part of Kumamoto Prefecture, renowned as "The Land of Fire," Kumamoto City serves as a primary gateway to explore volcanoes and the Aso region. Additionally, Kumamoto City is a popular tourist destination known for its historical sites, featuring one of the largest and most well-preserved castles in Japan.

Kumamoto Castle, the third-largest castle in Japan, stands as one of the most popular historical sites in Kumamoto City. Currently undergoing extensive restoration due to damage caused by the 2016 earthquake, the castle remains accessible, allowing visitors to explore the Uto Turret, Kato-jinja, the castle's gardens, and hundreds of cherry blossom trees that bloom between March and April.

A visit to Kumamoto City would not be complete without exploring Suizenji Jojuen, a vast Japanese-style landscaped garden ideal for leisurely strolls. Today, Suizenji Jojuen serves as a Shinto Shrine. Within the grounds, you'll find miniature representations of Mount Fuji and Lake Ezuko, creating popular spots for relaxation and photography.

In addition to its captivating tourist destinations, Kumamoto City hosts an annual event, the Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine Grand Autumn Festival, held in September. During this festival, competing teams parade decorated horses between the Gokoku Shrine and Fujisaki Hachimangu. Throughout the festival, you can enjoy various snacks and purchase the finest souvenirs at available stalls.

Travel Tips for Kumamoto-shi

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Kumamoto-shi

A guide to Kumamoto-shi's local transportation

Kumamoto City Tram

Kumamoto Castle Area Tour Bus

Taxi

When it comes to exploring Kumamoto City, the Kumamoto City Tram is the optimal choice for tourists. You can use a daily ticket or an IC transportation card, which is valid throughout Japan.

By utilizing the Kumamoto City Tram, you can easily access several popular attractions, including Kumamoto Castle, Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden, and Arcade Street. The general fare for a Single Use ticket is 180 yen for adults and 90 yen for children, while the One Day Pass costs around 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children.

Practical Tips for Kumamoto-shi

Things to prepare and best way to visit

What are the top things to do in Kumamoto City?

In Kumamoto City, you'll discover several museums catering to your historical and cultural sightseeing needs. Visit the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Arts, where you can explore various forms of art, including calligraphy, ceramics, lacquerware, ancient artifacts, and sculptures from not only Japan but also Europe.

Another great place to visit is The Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto, which showcases exhibitions of works by prominent Japanese and international artists, complemented by facilities like a children's play area, library, and café.

For a more exciting experience, head to the Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Here, you can observe animals, such as elephants, giraffes, lions, and other rare wildlife, or stroll through the botanical garden with a large greenhouse and fields adorned with flowers. Information about the area and opening hours can be found on the official website www.ezooko.jp/default.aspx.

If you enjoy sports attractions and physical activities, visit the Egao Kenko Stadium or Kumamoto Stadium. These stadiums are popular tourist spots and have served as venues for soccer games, including one of the locations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

How to travel from Fukushima to Kumamoto City?

The distance from Fukushima to Kumamoto is approximately 1,043 kilometers. If you plan to travel from Fukushima to Kumamoto City, there is no direct transportation. However, you can take a train from Fukushima to Tokyo and then continue your journey by train or use a plane to reach Kumamoto.

The duration of the journey depends on your transportation choice, with the fastest option being around 6 hours by using both train and plane, and the estimated cost ranging from 20,300 yen to 51,000 yen.

What to eat in Kumamoto City?

When visiting Kumamoto City, you must try their local dish, Kumamoto Ramen. This ramen features a pork broth and soft garlic-flavored noodles that will tantalize your taste buds. Another soup dish you should try is Taipiien, which consists of transparent noodles in a pork bone broth with various vegetables, pork, squid, and shrimp.

Alternatively, try Dagojiru, a winter dish featuring vegetables like carrots and white radishes combined with dumplings in a broth.

Looking for dessert? Kumamoto offers Ikinari Dango, a sweet dumpling made from sweet potatoes, coated with red bean paste, and wrapped in steamed flour – a popular and beloved treat in Japan

When is the best time to visit Kumamoto City?

Kumamoto is particularly appealing for visits from April to November when the weather is comfortably warm, and numerous tourist attractions are accessible during these months.

How long should I stay in Kumamoto City?

If you're focused on exploring Kumamoto City itself, you can cover various attractions in the city within a single day. However, if you plan to venture into the Aso Region or along the Amakusa Coast, then allowing up to 3 days would be ideal for a comprehensive experience.

In This Guide