📝 Articles about Kumamoto
Aoi Aso Shrine: Hitoyoshi's National Treasure Shrine of 1,200 Years
A 1,200-year-old shrine in Hitoyoshi whose five thatched-roof buildings are designated Nat…
Kusakabe Yoshimi Shrine: One of Japan's Three Great Descending Shrines
A rare descending shrine in Takamori where the hall sits over a hundred steps below the ga…
Shirakawa Yoshimi Shrine: Guardian of Minami-Aso's Famous Spring
A shrine beside Shirakawa Water Source in Minami-Aso, guardian of a spring that gushes six…
Kengun Shrine: Kumamoto City's Oldest Shrine with a Cedar-Lined Approach
Said to be Kumamoto City's oldest shrine, with a long cedar-lined approach and blessings f…
Rengein Tanjoji Okunoin: Home of the World's Largest Great Bell
A Tamana mountain temple famed as a one-wish power spot, home to the world's largest great…
Yatsushiro Shrine: One of Japan's Three Great Myoken Shrines
Also called Myoken-gu, this Yatsushiro shrine is one of Japan's three great Myoken shrines…
Fujisaki Hachimangu: Kumamoto's Thousand-Year Guardian Shrine
Founded in 935, this Kumamoto City shrine is the region's guardian, its name born from a l…
Izumi Shrine: Longevity Spring Water in a Scenic Garden
A shrine within Suizenji Jojuen garden, honoring the Hosokawa lords and famed for its long…
Men-no-ishi: A Cat-Shaped Rock Face Overlooking Aso
A Minami-Aso cliff spot where a fallen boulder left a cat-shaped hollow gazing at the Aso …
Ikeyama Water Source: A Famous Spring Amid Ancient Giant Trees
A Famous Water of Ubuyama surrounded by 200-year-old giant trees, gushing thirty tons of c…
Goroga-taki: A Fifty-Meter Waterfall Viewed from a Suspension Bridge
A fifty-meter waterfall near Tsujun Bridge in Yamato, viewed from a suspension bridge over…
Yamaga Onsen, a Town of Lanterns and Theater
Beside the Kikuchi River, Yamaga Onsen pairs gentle waters with a lantern festival and the…
Waita Onsen and Hage-no-yu on the Highland
At the foot of Mount Waita, the Waita hot spring area sends geothermal steam skyward, with…
Tamana Onsen, a Thousand-Year Town Spring
On the lower Kikuchi River, Tamana Onsen offers a town spring of over a thousand years, wi…
Hitoyoshi Onsen in a Riverside Castle Town
Along the Kuma River, Hitoyoshi Onsen springs up in a castle town of the Sagara clan, wher…
Hinagu Onsen, an Old Healing Town by the Sea
Facing the Yatsushiro Sea, Hinagu Onsen is a healing town of six centuries, lined with woo…
Kikuchi Onsen, Smooth Waters Near the Gorge
In the Kikuchi River basin, Kikuchi Onsen blends smooth waters with the nearby gorge and o…
Hirayama Onsen, a Quiet Bath for Smooth Skin
Set quietly north of Yamaga, Hirayama Onsen offers a silky sulfur spring that leaves skin …
Tsuetate Onsen, a Steamy Riverside Town
On the Kumamoto and Oita border, inns line a gorge at Tsuetate Onsen, a nostalgic town fam…
Aso Uchinomaki Onsen in the Great Caldera
Spreading across the Aso caldera, Uchinomaki Onsen offers abundant spring water and grassl…
Amakusa Seafood, Kuruma Prawns and Island Ocean Bounty
Fresh seafood from the rich seas around Amakusa. From plump kuruma prawns to island catche…
Kurokawa Onsen, a Valley of Open-Air Baths
Tucked into a wooded ravine north of Aso, Kurokawa Onsen invites travelers to wander from …
Ikinari Dango, Rustic Sweet Potato and Bean Treat of Kumamoto
Sweet potato and red bean paste wrapped in dough and steamed make the gentle ikinari dango…
Hitomoji Guruguru, Kumamoto Charming Rolled Scallion Dish
Boiled scallions curled into neat rolls make the charming hitomoji guruguru. Discover this…
Aso Akaushi, Lean Wagyu Raised on the Grasslands
Akaushi cattle roam freely on the grasslands of Aso. Meet Kumamoto prized brand beef, love…
Takanameshi, Fragrant Mustard Green Rice of Aso
Chopped pickled mustard greens folded into fresh rice make takanameshi. Discover this frag…
Dagojiru, Warm and Rustic Comfort Soup of Kumamoto
Chewy flat dumplings and plenty of root vegetables fill dagojiru. Meet this rustic home-st…
Karashi Renkon, Kumamoto Traditional Mustard Lotus Root
Lotus root stuffed with mustard miso and fried, offering a bracing kick to the nose. Disco…
Taipien, Kumamoto Homegrown Chinese Noodle Soup
Silky glass noodles dance with colorful ingredients in taipien. Meet this gentle Kumamoto …
Kumamoto Ramen, Tonkotsu Crowned with Fragrant Mayu
A mellow pork-bone broth topped with the aroma of burnt garlic oil defines Kumamoto ramen.…
Hitoyoshi Kumagawa River Descent and Castle Town Course
A course pairing a descent of the Kumagawa, one of Japan three swiftest rivers, with the a…
Amakusa Dolphin Watching and Christian Heritage Course
A one-day course tracing the seas of Amakusa where wild dolphins appear and the history of…
Kurokawa Onsen and Minamioguni Hot Spring Hopping Course
A soothing course based in the atmospheric Kurokawa Onsen, touring the tranquil hill count…
Aso Daikanbo and Kusasenri Scenic Drive Course
A drive that lets you savor the scale of Aso in a single day, cruising from the sweeping p…
Kumamoto Castle and Castle Town Sakura no Baba Walking Course
A relaxed half-day stroll centered on the mighty Kumamoto Castle, the Sakura no Baba Josai…
Kikuchi Gorge, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Called a Natural Cooler in a Forest of Clear Streams
A gorge at the source of the Kikuchi River in the mountains of Kikuchi, where clear stream…
Tsujun Bridge, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto and an Edo Era Stone Arch That Releases Water
An Edo period stone arch aqueduct in Yamato, famed for powerfully releasing water and desi…
Kokuzo Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Known as the North Shrine of Aso
One of the twelve Aso shrines in Ichinomiya, Aso City, called the North Shrine for sitting…
Oshitoishi no Oka, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Where Mysterious Giant Stones Are Full of Magnetism
Hundreds of giant stones dot a hill eight hundred and forty five meters high in Minamiogun…
Oguni Ryo Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto and Guardian of the Town Honoring Brother Deities of Good Fortune
An old shrine cherished as the guardian of Oguni, where tales of fortune from lotteries en…
Saitsu Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Watched Over by a Camphor Tree of Matchmaking in Amakusa
A fifteen deity shrine in Saitsu, Amakusa, known to the few for its splendid camphor tree …
Kohagiyama Inari Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Overlooking Vast Grasslands as a Shrine for Love
A scenic Inari shrine on a hilltop in Minamioguni, famed for the rare blessing of helping …
Nabegataki Falls, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Where You Can Walk Behind a Curtain of Water
A graceful waterfall about twenty meters wide in Oguni, a rare falls you can walk behind, …
Ukishima Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto That Floats on a Spring Fed Pond as the Home of a Married Pair of Deities
In Kashima a venerable shrine seems to float on a clear spring pond, enshrining Izanagi an…
Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, a Hidden Power Spot in Kumamoto Where Mossy Lanterns Lead Into an Otherworldly Forest
In a cedar grove in Takamori, about a hundred stone lanterns line a mystical approach, and…
Kumamoto Winter Travel 2026: Kumamoto Castle, Kurokawa Onsen & Aso
熊本の冬の楽しみ方を紹介。熊本城・黒川温泉・阿蘇など、冬ならではの体験が待っています。…
Kumamoto Autumn Foliage 2026: Aso, Kurokawa Onsen & Kikuchi Gorge
熊本の紅葉スポットを厳選紹介。菊池渓谷・阿蘇・黒川温泉など、秋の絶景をお楽しみください。…
Kumamoto Cherry Blossom Guide: Best Sakura Spots
Discover the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Kumamoto. Spring sakura viewing guide …
Kumamoto Local Gourmet Guide: Basashi (Horse Sashimi)
Discover Kumamoto''s unique local cuisine including 馬刺し. A food lover''s guide to the best…
Rainy Day in Kumamoto: Best Indoor Spots & Activities
Don't let the rain stop you in Kumamoto! Discover top indoor attractions including 熊本城ミュージ…
Kumamoto Food Guide: Horse Sashimi, Karashi Renkon & Tapiyan
Kumamoto is famous for basashi horse sashimi, the unique karashi renkon stuffed lotus root…
Aso Caldera: Spectacular Scenery of the Great Grasslands Created by the World's Largest Class Caldera
The Aso Caldera — world's largest class at 25km north-south and 18km east-west — is a volc…
Suizenji Jojuen Garden: Kumamoto's Strolling Garden Created by the Edo Period Hosokawa Domain
Suizenji Jojuen Garden in central Kumamoto City is a daimyo garden of the Hosokawa domain …
Amakusa Dolphin Watching: An Emotional Experience Seeing Wild Dolphins Up Close
The Tomioka and Goshoura area of Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is Japan's largest sca…
Hitoyoshi: A Secret Spot of Southern Kyushu with the Clear Kuma River and Remaining Samurai Residences
Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a mountain castle town with the clear Kuma River a…
Yatsushiro: Tatami Rush Grass and Limestone Production Area — A Leading Agriculture and Industry City of Kyushu
Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is the largest production area for tatami rush grass…
Takamori and Minami-Aso: Rural Village and Clear River Village Spreading on Aso Outer Rim
Takamori Town and Minami-Aso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, are agricultural areas spreadin…
Kumamoto Ramen: Tonkotsu Ramen with Ma-yu (Burnt Garlic Oil) as the Key
Kumamoto ramen, which has the lineage of Hakata ramen but has evolved uniquely, is charact…
Aso Nakadake Crater: Viewing an Active Volcano Crater Up Close When Entry is Permitted
The Aso Nakadake crater, with active volcanic activity continuing, is one of Japan's leadi…
Kikuchi Gorge: A Beautiful Gorge Created by Aso Subsurface Water and a Famous Spot for Fresh Greenery and Autumn Foliage
Kikuchi Gorge in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a beautiful gorge woven by clear st…
Yamaga Toro Festival: Kumamoto's Fire Festival with Washi Paper Lanterns Danced on Heads
Yamaga Toro Festival held in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture on August 15–16 annually is …
Nagomi Town Kikuichi: Ancient Ruins and Nature of the Kikuchi River Basin Appearing in the Nihon Shoki
Nagomi Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a historic area in the middle reaches of Kikuchi Rive…
Aso Shrine: The General Protector of Aso with Over 2,000 Years of History
Aso Shrine in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is the head shrine of approximately 450 Aso s…
Kuma Shochu: Rice Shochu Culture of Kumamoto's Kuma Region — One of Japan's Three Major Shochu Production Areas
The Kuma region centered on Kuma-gun and Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is one of th…
Misumi and Amakusa Five Bridges: A Group of Spectacular Bridges Called a String of Pearls
Amakusa Five Bridges connecting Misumi, Ueki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Amakusa Kamish…
Nabegataki Falls: Spectacular Scenery of "Ura-mi no Taki" Viewed from Behind the Waterfall
Nabegataki Falls in Oguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a wide waterfall approximately 20 …
Uto and Matsubase: Ancient Uto Castle and Moya-shiki Rural Scenery Remaining Town
Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a quiet port town retaining Uto Castle ruins — the base …
Kumamoto Castle Ninomaru Plaza: History and Food Experience to Enjoy in the Castle Town Center
Kumamoto Castle Ninomaru Plaza is a vast grass plaza spreading right next to the castle. T…
Basashi: Japan's Top Horse Meat Consumption Culture That Kumamoto is Proud Of
Kumamoto Prefecture is the center of horse meat culture, accounting for approximately 40% …
Itsuki Village: A Mountain Village Journey Touring the Headwaters of the Kuma River Secret Spot
Itsuki Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a mountain village secret spot at the headwaters o…
Nekodake (Aso): Mountain Climbing on the Jagged Peaks Called "Devil's Face"
Nekodake (1,433m), one of the five Aso mountains, is a distinctive mountain characterized …
Mt. Aso — Walking the World's Largest Caldera
Witness the raw power of Mt. Aso, one of the world's largest active calderas, and hike acr…
Kumamoto Castle and Castle Town Walk — The Recovering "Great Castle of the West"
Explore the mighty Kumamoto Castle, steadily recovering from the 2016 earthquake, and stro…
Kurokawa Onsen — Relaxing at Kyushu's Premier Hot Spring Village
Escape to the charming Kurokawa Onsen, a picture-perfect hot spring village nestled in a m…
Heitate Shrine — The Sacred Site Connected to the Center of Japan and Cosmic Origin
Visit Heitate Shrine, a deeply mysterious Shinto sanctuary in the mountains of Kumamoto be…
Kato Shrine — The Shrine Protecting Kumamoto Castle, Enshrining Kato Kiyomasa
Pray at Kato Shrine within Kumamoto Castle grounds, dedicated to the legendary warlord Kat…
Amakusa Sakitsu Village — A Catholic Sacred Site Floating on the Sea
Discover Sakitsu Village in Amakusa, a UNESCO World Heritage site where a 19th-century Cat…