Kumamoto, located on Japan’s Kyushu Island, is a captivating destination that blends history, nature, and culture. Famous for its majestic castle, hot springs, and scenic landscapes, Kumamoto offers a unique experience for travelers.
What you need to travel to Kumamoto
Google Mymap
Hotels & Flight Tickets
Hotels in Kumamoto:
Trip.com | Expedia
Discounted Air Tickets:
Trip.com | Expedia
Transportation from FUK airport to Kumamoto
Since it is convenient to get to the center of Kumamoto from Kumamoto Airport (KMJ), I will first focus on the route from Fukuoka Airport (FUK) to Kumamoto.
If you need transportation information for Kumamoto Airport, please leave a message to let me know!
Here’s a detailed guide on traveling from Fukuoka Airport (FUK) to Kumamoto:
By Shinkansen (Fastest: ~1 Hour)
Route: Fukuoka Airport (FUK) → Hakata Station → Kumamoto Station
How to Board: Take the Fukuoka City Subway (Kūkō Line) from the airport to Hakata Station (5 min, ¥310). Transfer to the Kyushu Shinkansen (Sakura/Mizuho/Tsubame trains) to Kumamoto Station (35–45 min, ¥5,360 unreserved seat).
Total Cost: ~¥5,670
Best For: Travelers prioritizing speed and comfort.
Non-reserved seats are usually available, but reserve ahead during peak hours.
By Highway Bus (Cheapest: ~2 Hours)
Route: Fukuoka Airport → Kumamoto Kotsu Bus → Kumamoto City
Direct buses (e.g., Nishitetsu Bus or Kumamoto Kotsu) run from Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto Bus Terminal (2–2.5 hours, ¥2,300–¥2,800).
Departures: Every 1–2 hours (check schedules here).
Total Cost: ~¥2,800
Best For: Budget travelers or those with heavy luggage (no transfers).
Night buses are available (¥3,500–¥4,500) if you’re arriving late.
By Rental Car (Flexible: ~2 Hours)
Route: Fukuoka Airport → Kyushu Expressway → Kumamoto
Distance: ~120 km (toll road).
Tolls: ~¥3,000 (use ETC card for discounts).
Rental Car Agencies: Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, etc. (located at FUK).
Best For: Exploring rural Kumamoto/Aso. Planning a road trip in Kyushu.
By Train (Alternative: ~2.5 Hours)
Route: Fukuoka Airport → Hakata Station → JR Kagoshima Line → Kumamoto
How to Board: Subway to Hakata Station (5 min, ¥310). Take the JR Limited Express to Kumamoto (2 hours, ¥4,820).
Total Cost: ~¥5,130
Best For: Scenic route lovers (passes through Saga’s countryside).
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Method | Time | Cost | Best For |
| Shinkansen | ~1 hour | ¥5,670 | Speed, comfort |
| Highway Bus | ~2 hours | ¥2,800 | Budget, direct |
| Rental Car | ~2 hours | ¥5,000+ | Road-trippers |
| Local Train | ~2.5 hrs | ¥5,130 | Leisurely travel |
Kumamoto Castle 熊本城
Kumamoto Castle stands as one of Japan’s most formidable and historically significant castles. Built in 1607 by the legendary warlord Kato Kiyomasa, it was designed with advanced defensive features, including curved stone walls (“musha-gaeshi”) to prevent enemies climbing and hidden wells to sustain sieges. The castle played a crucial role during the Satsuma Rebellion (1877), where it withstood a 53-day siege.
Though severely damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, extensive restoration work has revived much of its former glory. You can explore the reconstructed Honmaru Goten Palace, which features exquisite replica gold-leaf sliding doors (Fusuma) and intricate woodwork. The castle grounds also include the Uto Turret, one of the remaining original structures.
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
How to Get There: A 15-minute tram ride from Kumamoto Station (Take the A Line to Kumamoto Castle/City Hall stop). 10-minute walk from the tram stop.
Kumamonくまモン
Kumamon, the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most famous yuru-kyara (regional mascots). Since his debut in 2010, he has become a cultural icon, promoting tourism and local products and even boosting Kumamoto’s economy by billions of yen.
Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉
Nestled in the lush mountains of Aso-Kuju National Park, Kurokawa Onsen is one of Japan’s most picturesque hot spring villages, renowned for its traditional ryokan (inns) and open-air baths (rotemburo). Unlike commercialized onsen towns, Kurokawa retains an old-world charm with its wooden buildings, stone pathways, and steam rising from natural springs along the riverbanks.
The village is famous for its “Rotemburo Meguri” (hot spring hopping pass), which allows travelers to experience multiple baths for a fixed price. Each ryokan has a unique theme: some feature cave baths, others riverside pools, and a few even offer milky-white sulfur springs. A standout is Yamamizuki, known for its hidden forest baths, and Sanga Ryokan, where you can soak under a waterfall.
Address: Kurokawa, Minamioguni-machi, Aso District
Opening Hours: Varies by Ryokan (Typically 10:00 – 21:00)
How to Get There: 1.5-hour bus ride from Kumamoto Station (Kumamoto Kotsu Bus to Kurokawa Onsen)
Suizenji Jojuen Garden 水前寺成趣園
Suizenji Jojuen is a 17th-century strolling garden designed by the Hosokawa lords, rulers of Kumamoto. Its name, “Jojuen,” means “garden of the sublime path,” reflecting its Zen-inspired tranquility. The garden is a miniature representation of the Tokaido Road, the historic route connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, complete with a small Mount Fuji replica.
The centerpiece is a crystal-clear spring-fed pond, home to colorful koi fish and wild ducks. A lesser-known fact is that the garden’s water comes from an underground aquifer that also supplies Kumamoto’s famous mineral water. The Hosokawa Gyobu-tei, a restored samurai residence on-site, offers insights into feudal-era life.
Address: 8-1 Suizenji Koen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Opening Hours: 07:30 – 18:00 (Mar–Oct), 08:30 – 17:00 (Nov–Feb)
How to Get There: 20-minute tram ride from Kumamoto Station (Take the B Line to Suizenji Park stop)
Mount Aso 阿蘇山
Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest active volcanic calderas, spans 25 km in diameter and dominates Kumamoto’s landscape. Its Nakadake Crater is one of the few places on Earth where visitors can peer into a smoking volcanic vent (when accessible). The region’s rolling grasslands, steam vents, and emerald-green sulfur lakes create an almost alien scenery.
The Aso Volcano Museum offers interactive exhibits on the area’s geology, while the Kusasenri Grassland allows horseback riding with panoramic crater views. Hikers can trek to Mount Eboshi or Mount Kishima for breathtaking vistas. Due to volcanic activity, crater access is sometimes restricted; please check updates at the Aso Visitor Center.
Address: Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:00 (Crater access depends on volcanic activity)
How to Get There: 1.5-hour bus ride from Kumamoto Station to Aso Station, then a taxi or local bus to the crater.
Sakuranobaba Johsaien 桜の馬場 城彩苑
This Edo-period-themed complex at the foot of Kumamoto Castle recreates a 17th-century castle town. The highlight is the “Kumamoto Castle Town Samurai Residence”, where actors in samurai armor demonstrate sword fighting and tea ceremonies.
Serves local specialties:
Karakuni (spicy pork stew)
Basashi (horse sashimi)
Ikinari Dango (sweet potato dumplings)
At night, the area is illuminated, offering a magical view of the castle.
Address: 1-1-2 Ninomaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
How to Get There: 5-minute walk from Kumamoto Castle
Aso Shrine 阿蘇神社
This 2,000-year-old shrine is one of Japan’s oldest and most spiritually significant Shinto sites. Unlike the grand torii gates of Kyoto, the Aso Shrine has a raw, primal energy, with its moss-covered stone lanterns and ancient cedar trees that seem to whisper legends.
The shrine is dedicated to Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto, a mythical prince who taught the people of Aso how to farm and control fire (fitting for a land of volcanoes). The main hall, rebuilt after earthquakes, features rare thatched roofing, a style almost extinct in modern Japan.
What makes this place truly special is its annual “Aso Fire Festival”, where priests walk barefoot over blazing straw embers to purify the land. The surrounding sacred forest is said to be inhabited by tengu (mountain spirits), and locals still leave offerings at hidden altars.
Address: 3083-1 Miyaji, Aso City
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
How to Get There: 15-minute walk from Aso Station
Tsujunkyo Bridge 通潤橋
Tsujunkyo Bridge is a feat of Edo-period hydraulic engineering that still functions today. Built in 1854, the stone aqueduct was designed to channel water across a deep valley to irrigate rice fields in Yamato Town. What makes it truly spectacular is its daily water discharge, where torrents of water erupt from the bridge’s three arches in a dramatic cascade.
The bridge was constructed without modern tools, using interlocking stones and gravity-fed water pressure, a testament to the ingenuity of samurai-era engineers. Local legend says the project was led by a samurai-turned-farmer who risked his life to secure water for his drought-stricken village.
Visit at noon to witness the scheduled water release, when the bridge transforms into a roaring fountain. The misty spray creates rainbows on sunny days, making it a photographer’s dream.
Address: Yamada, Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki District
Opening Hours: Always open (Water discharge at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00)
How to Get There: 1-hour drive from Kumamoto City
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center 熊本県伝統工芸館
This is a living workshop where master artisans practice centuries-old crafts right before your eyes. Kumamoto has 11 nationally recognized traditional arts, and this center showcases them all.
The Higo Zogan (metal inlay) demonstration is mesmerizing, artists hammer gold and silver threads into iron to create intricate designs. You can also watch Yamaga lanterns being hand-painted or try making your bamboo basket in a workshop.
The “Secret Room” displays samurai sword fittings so delicate they were once considered hidden wearable art. Don’t miss the lacquerware section, where layers of persimmon-tanned urushi are polished to a mirror finish using deer antlers.
Address: 3-35 Chibajo-machi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed Mondays)
How to Get There: 10-minute walk from Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto is a treasure trove of history, nature, and culture. Whether exploring castles, relaxing in hot springs, or hiking volcanic landscapes, you will find unforgettable experiences.
Discover more from GPSeeker Travel
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
[…] Kumamoto Travel Guide 2025: The Heart of Kyushu […]