Sights and landmarks in Kumamoto

Sights and landmarks in Kumamoto

1. See

   Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine

   藤崎八幡宮

   This is the most famous shrine in the city. It is north of Kamitori and not too far from downtown. This is the most crowded shrine in the city every New Year's. It is also crowded for other festivals the most famous being the "Decorated Horse Parade" which is held every September.

2. See

   Honmyo-ji Temple

   本妙寺

   It is one of the most famous temples in Kumamoto. Honmyoji was built in honor of Kato Kiyomasa, the builder of Kumamoto Castle. The temple is halfway up a hill at the same level as the castle. There is a long staircase lined with old candle stands to the temple. After the temple there is another staircase that leads to a park at the top of the hill that has a statue of Kato Kiyomasa and a nice viewpoint where you can see the castle towering over the city. In the daytime you can also see Mt. Aso in the background. In the last weekend in March they have the Nighttime Cherry Blossom Festival. Then they have live music and lit up cherry blossoms and candles all the way to the top of the hill.

3. See

   Hosokawa Gyōbutei

   旧細川刑部邸

   Another picturesque place to visit. It's the family home of the Hosokawa Clan (whose descendant, Morihiro, became Prime Minister of Japan in the 1990s.) The building suffered damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, so visitors are permitted to walk the perimeter to enjoy the garden during special openings, but the house can no longer be entered.

4. See

   Kumamoto Castle

   熊本城, kumamoto-jō

   One of the most beautiful castles in Japan, and the third largest. Kumamoto Castle was burned down during the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877; the current keep is a concrete reconstruction built during the 1960s. The buildings on the grounds took severe damage during earthquakes in April 2016 and July 2026; the main keep has since re-opened to the public, but other surrounding buildings will take years to rebuild. During the cherry blossom season, the castle grounds are filled with hundreds of beautiful blossoms.

   09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)·¥800

5. See

   Mt. Kinpō

   金峰山, kinpō-zan

   About 11 km from downtown but when you get to the top you`ll be rewarded with a beautiful view over Kumamoto and Nagasaki. The view of the city lights is great and you can also see the peaks of Mt. Aso in Kumamoto and Mt. Unzen in Nagasaki. You can take a bus to the area but then you have to hike for about an hour to the top. On top there is a temple and a famous fence full of locks that couples have locked to a fence on the observation deck. There is no ropeway so you gotta hike or take a car.

6. See

   Reigando (Miyamoto Musashi's cave)

   霊巌洞

   Reigandō (霊巌洞, meaning "Spirit Rock Cave") is a cave that lies to the west of Kumamoto, Japan, that became a temporary home to legendary rōnin, Miyamoto Musashi. From 1643, Musashi spent many of his last months in the cave, meditating and writing his Book of Five Rings. The cave is accessed easily by bus from Kumamoto City and nearby Tamana.

7. See

   Suizenji Gardens

   水前寺公園, Suizen-ji Kōen

   It is a renowned Japanese traditional garden, considered one of the four best in Japan. You can walk around a lovely course of trees and mini hills (one of them representing Mount Fuji) covered in grass right in the middle of the city, and it feels like you're in the country side! Food stalls are also to be found in the immediate vicinity.

8. See Not mapped

   Hanaokayama

   花岡山

   Hanaokayama is a hill near Kumamoto Station. It looks over downtown and has a great night view. On a clear day you can see Mt. Aso towering behind the city. There is also a nice temple and a huge shrine gate (torii) on the top. You can go up by car, which most couples do, or hike about 15 minutes to the top.

9. See Not mapped

   Kumamoto City Hall

   熊本市役所

   In the heart of downtown. If you go to the fourteenth floor there is a free view of the castle and downtown area.

   free

10. See Not mapped

    Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center

    熊本県伝統工芸館 kumamoto-ken dentō kōgeikan

    Exhibits the various traditional crafts for which Kumamoto is well-known. (Includes a gift shop)

11. See

    Lake Ezu

    江津湖, ezuko

12. See Not mapped

    Shiki no Sato Park

    Has its own natural hot springs and animal park.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kumamoto (CC BY-SA 4.0).