Timeline
16:03
Head to Mt. Kinpō. Since there is no direct transport listed, check the route to the area. Note that you will need to hike for about an hour to reach the top.
17:03
Settle in at 谷尾崎梅林公園. It is a short walk from the main anchor point. Find a spot with a clear view to the west as the sky begins to change color.
17:33
Watch the sunset. The sun sets toward the W, offering a view over Kumamoto and the distant peaks of Mt. Aso and Mt. Unzen.
18:18
Stay for the city lights. As darkness falls, the view of Kumamoto's lights becomes the main attraction.
Local tip
The hike up to the viewing area takes about an hour, so start your ascent well before the golden light begins. There are no food or drink shops listed at the top, so bring water and snacks with you.
Check before you go
- Check the bus route to the Mt. Kinpō area in advance.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the one-hour hike to the top.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kumamoto (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).