Best things to do in Kumamoto

Kumamoto's Absolute Essentials

Kumamoto's landscape is defined by the formidable Kumamoto Castle, a hilltop fortress known for its curved stone walls and historical significance. The city's cultural heritage is further preserved at the Hosokawa Gyōbutei samurai residence and the Izumi-jinja shrine located within Suizenji Jojuen Garden. For commerce and dining, the Kamitori and Shimotori pedestrian arcades provide extensive covered walkways. Natural spaces including the city’s botanical garden and the mountainside Honmyōji Temple offer quiet retreats within the urban area.

Kumamoto's Absolute Essentials — Map

名古屋太郎 / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Chūō-ku, Kumamoto, in Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a large and well-fortified castle.

B

Shimotori

A 511-meter-long pedestrian shopping arcade lined with department stores, boutiques, and diverse dining options. It serves as the city's primary commercial hub and connects to the Kamitori arcade.

C

Kamitori

A 360-meter-long covered shopping arcade featuring high ceilings and natural light. It houses a mix of long-standing traditional shops, specialty bookstores, and modern cafes.

そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Izumi-jinja

Located within Suizenji Jojuen Garden, this Shinto shrine was established in 1878 by former retainers to deify the successive lords of the Hosokawa clan who ruled the Kumamoto Domain.

Motoki-jj / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Hosokawa Gyōbutei

A high-ranking samurai residence formerly belonging to the Hosokawa Gyobu family. The structure showcases Edo-period architectural styles and was relocated to the Kumamoto Castle grounds in 1993.

F

Honmyōji Temple

Honmyō-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Nichiren sect, Rokujōmon-ryū, in Nishi-ku, Kumamoto, Japan.

G

熊本市動植物園

Situated on the banks of Lake Ezu, this facility combines a zoo housing approximately 120 species with a botanical garden featuring a large greenhouse and seasonal flower displays.

R34SkylineGT-R V-SpecⅡNür / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Kumamoto

Kumamoto Station is the main railway terminal of the city of Kumamoto, Japan.