Kumamoto
Discover Kumamoto
Kumamoto (熊本) is the capital of Kumamoto prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. It is notable for the impressive Kumamoto Castle. Kumamoto originally meant "turn of road/river" with a different kanji used (隈本). In 1607, Kiyomasa Kato, the founder of the castle, changed the kanji to stronger looking 熊, which means "bear". The city's nickname is Mori no Miyako (capital of the forest).
What to Experience in Kumamoto
Taste of Kumamoto...
There are some unique traditional foods in Kumamoto. Being a large city, Kumamoto has its fair share of alternative sleeping options for the non-discerning traveler willing to camp out anywhere. There are a tonne of business hotels scattered around the city with most clustered either near the JR central station, or in the nightlife district in and around Sun Road, Fuji and Ginza. Some even have outlets at both. Follow the neon signs. There are a couple of further business hotels located in and around the central bus terminal (about two blocks from the nightlife district) including a hotel upstairs in the bus plaza itself, and a Dormy Inn directly opposite. Travelers would probably not want to spend too long in the city, and may prefer to enjoy the wide range of natural surroundings within easy reach of the city.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsCan be reached by shuttle buses that make a one-hour jaunt into the town (¥670). If arriving at Fukuoka Airport (FUK), there is a highway express bus service (named Hinokuni-go) that will bring you to Kumamoto for ¥2000 and take roughly 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take the subway to Hakata Station and take the JR Kagoshima Line (see below). Kumamoto is a major stop on the Kyushu Shinkansen. Trains run several times per hour from Hakata station in Fukuoka (40–50 minutes, ¥4990) and Kagoshima (50–60 minutes, ¥6760). Hourly Sakura services connect Kumamoto to stations on the San'yo Shinkansen: Hiroshima is about 1 hr 45 min away (¥12970), Okayama 2 hr 30 min (¥16230) and Osaka 3 hr 20 min (¥18020). Faster Mizuho services also run during the morning and evening hours, but these are not valid for foreign tourists travelling with a Japan Rail Pass. From Tokyo, Kumamoto can be reached by train (a combination of Nozomi and either Sakura or Tsubame) in as little as 6 hours....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
A fairly extensive bus system and a simple two-line tram system keeps Kumamoto City and some of its neighboring towns well connected. City day passes are valid on the buses and trams. One tram line runs from Kumamoto Station and the other from Kami-Kumamoto Station. They meet near the downtown area and run east to Kengun Machi. One trip costs ¥150. Buses run fairly regularly from stops through Kumamoto City. The new main bus terminal is the Sakuramachi Bus Terminal (桜町バスターミナル). It opened in 2020 embedded in a shopping center that has a pleasant roof garden. Kumamoto is a comfortable city to ride around. For reference, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Kumamoto Gakuen University from Kamikumamoto. Not recommended. In the city, roads are narrow, traffic jams can be an issue, and finding parking spaces can be difficult and expensive. If you have rented a car in other suburbs or countries, or plan to go there by car, find a hotel that offers parking spaces or a parking fee allowance.
Where to Stay
Being a large city, Kumamoto has its fair share of alternative sleeping options for the non-discerning traveler willing to camp out anywhere. There are a tonne of business hotels scattered around the city with most clustered either near the JR central station, or in the nightlife district in and around Sun Road, Fuji and Ginza. Some even have outlets at both. Follow the neon signs. There are a couple of further business hotels located in and around the central bus terminal (about two blocks from the nightlife district) including a hotel upstairs in the bus plaza itself, and a Dormy Inn directly opposite. Travelers would probably not want to spend too long in the city, and may prefer to enjoy the wide range of natural surroundings within easy reach of the city.
Money & Budget
There are some unique traditional foods in Kumamoto. Being a large city, Kumamoto has its fair share of alternative sleeping options for the non-discerning traveler willing to camp out anywhere. There are a tonne of business hotels scattered around the city with most clustered either near the JR central station, or in the nightlife district in and around Sun Road, Fuji and Ginza. Some even have outlets at both. Follow the neon signs. There are a couple of further business hotels located in and around the central bus terminal (about two blocks from the nightlife district) including a hotel upstairs in the bus plaza itself, and a Dormy Inn directly opposite.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Kumamoto
Visiting Kumamoto Castle in Japan during cherry blossom season offers a captivating blend of historical architecture and blooming sakura, creating a picturesque and enchanting experience.
Mount Aso, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, is a unique place created by a caldera. A sea of clouds occurs several times a year.
Kumamoto Castle April 2019
green mountain bike
black and white panda statue
green grass field near lake under blue sky during daytime
red leaf tree near river during daytime
white and red tram on road during daytime
A majestic japanese castle stands tall.
a herd of cattle grazing on a lush green hillside
Visiting Kumamoto Castle in Japan during cherry blossom season offers a captivating blend of historical architecture and blooming sakura, creating a picturesque and enchanting experience.
Mount Aso, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, is a unique place created by a caldera. A sea of clouds occurs several times a year.
Kumamoto Castle April 2019