It’s taken me longer than I wanted to create a Kumamoto travel guide, and I apologize for that. I’ve got good reasons for this, however.
Specifically, I found that on my first few trips to Kumamoto prefecture, I struggled to make it outside of Kumamoto City. With gardens, Kumamon and of course, Kumamoto Castle itself, Kumamoto-shi is a place that charms and comforts you, and makes it difficult to say goodbye, even for the more interesting reaches of Kumamoto-ken.
I’ve now had nearly a decade to perfect my Kumamoto itinerary. And it’s my hope, anyway, that it will do justice to this special corner of Japan, which I’ve come to think of as the beating heart of Kyushu.
Where to Stay in Kumamoto
Before I delve into Kumamoto things to do, let’s talk Kumamoto hotels. For my own trips to Kumamoto City, I usually like to stay in functional business hotels like Mitsui Garden Hotel and Hotel Wing International. However, Kumamoto does have a limited number of more traditional ryokan properties, including Ryotei Matsuya Honkan Suizen-ji, which is near Suizen-ji Joju-en garden (more on that place in a moment).
Outside of Kumamoto City, the place you’re likeliest to stay is Mt. Aso. Here it’s less about finding the right hotel (even if Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel is an attractive option, assuming you want somewhere resort-style) and more about choosing a good vacation rental. The vast majority of places to stay within the Aso caldera are privately owned, whether you book them on Airbnb or via another channel. You’ll probably have a rental car if you visit this area, so make sure and choose a place with parking!
What to Do in Kumamoto
Visit the new-and-improved Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is one of my favorite places in Japan, to such a great extent that I never shut up about it. It’s not one of Japan’s “original” castles, but is nonetheless charming, especially in spring. I also feel very inspired by its reconstruction in the wake of the 2016 earthquake, even if the more recent 2026 earthquake complicates its “full” recovery. Note that you can often see Kumamon walking around the castle grounds, or in the jōkamachi just beneath it.
Dig deeper into Kumamoto City
Of course, you can find plenty of other things to do in Kumamoto besides the castle. For example, I highly recommend a visito to Suizenji Joju-en, a spetacular landscape garden that’s just a few tram stops away from the castle. Another underrated place in Kumamoto City is the 17th-century Honmyo-ji, which in addition to being an objectively awesome Buddhist temple, sits on a hill looking eastward over the city. This makes it a fantastic viewpoints, whether you admire the castle or just the Shinkansen speeding past.
See Mt. Aso before it blows up
The good news? The title of this section is (mostly) hyperbolic: The volcanic vents of Mt. Aso are almost always erupting; a massive “mega-eruption.” I’m speaking, instead, in a figurative sense: The more foreign tourists discover the magic of Aso UNESCO Global Geopark, the less it will resemble the nearly-deserted paradise it’s been during most of my visits.
TIP: If you’re planning to visit Aso-san in the spring or autumn, wake up early and try to catch the “sea of clouds” from Daikanbo Lookout or from the plateau just above the Komezuka “cone” pictured above.
Let Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine enchant you
In the more rural reaches of Kumamoto, what to see is often downright enchanting. This is particularly the case at Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, a sanctuary deep in the forest, which is on the way from Aso Town to the destination I’ll be listing in the next section. I suggest going here as early in the morning as you soon. If you do, you maximize your chances of having the entire place to yourself, as I did.
Avail the proximity of Takachiho Gorge
Although Takachiho Gorge is technically located in Miyazaki prefecture, it’s actually closer to eastern Kumamoto prefecture than it is to Miyazaki City. Keep in mind that if you want to come here, it’s best to rent a car (which you’ll likely already have if you’re spending time in the Mt. Aso area). While you can get here by bus, the journey is long and multi-step, and will require you to spend more of your day in transit than simply enjoying yourself.
Is Kumamoto Worth Visiting?
Kumamoto is absolutely worth visiting, even if you don’t feel extremely excited about it yet. For one, getting there is not much of a slog, since it’s right on the Shinkansen line. You could stop for a day—for part of a day—on your way from Fukuoka down to Kagoshima and then, only if you end up loving it, stay for a bit longer and explore the prefecture more.
On the other hand, if you love my Kumamoto travel guide and are already sold, book yourself one of the hotels I’ve recommended above. Base yourself in Kumamoto City if you value creature comforts (and actual creatures, namely Kumamon); choose a more scenic hotel in the vicinity of Mt. Aso if convenience is secondary to a scenic location. No matter where you stay in Kumamoto-ken, it’s really hard to go wrong.
Other FAQ About Visiting Kumamoto
What is Kumamoto known for?
Kumamoto is known for many things, depending on who you ask. For tourists, it’s famous for Kumamoto Castle, which is one of Japan’s most-loved, in spite of not being an “original” specimen. Kumamon, the city’s mascot, is well-known even among people who don’t plan to visit. The city gained infamy, meanwhile, after tragic earthquakes struck in 2016, and again in 2026.
Is Kumamoto a major city?
Kumamoto is one of the largest city’s in Kyushu, in spite of being much smaller than many on Japan’s main Honshu island. Based on 2026 estimates, Kumamoto is the 18th largest city in Japan, with a population of 972,000. Do note that “official” numbers, which aren’t released as often, place the population closer to 750,000 (albeit as of nearly a decade ago).
Is Kumamoto a good place to live?
Kumamoto is a medium-sized Japanese city with a pleasant climate, plenty of attractions and good connectivity to other destinations in Kyushu. It’s a good place to live if you think you’ll be pleased by these aspects of it, and don’t need the cosmopolitan vibe of Tokyo or Osaka, or another city of that size or with such global flair.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Kumamoto travel guide helpful. Whether you’re coming in spring and want to see Kumamoto Castle framed by sakura billows, in the summer for hiking Mt. Aso, to admire Takachiho Gorge in autumn or to escape harsh winter elsewhere in Japan, the heart of Kyushu deserves to be at the heart of your next Japan trip. Kumamoto has something to offer to everyone, even if it’s just the opportunity to hug Kumamon (or one of his many impersonators) yourself. Want to make sure your time in Kumamoto is especially unforgettable? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
