Kumamoto Things to Do

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Kumamoto Castle was constructed by the Kato Clan in 1607. Half a century later, it was handed over to the Hosokawa Clan, which ruled from there for over 200 years until the end of the feudal age.

In 1877, Kumamoto Castle became the site of Japan's last civil war, when an army of former samurai under Saigo Takamori unsuccessfully rose against the new Meiji government. Large parts of the castle were destroyed in that civil war.

Most of the present castle buildings, including the large and small castle towers, are reconstructions, dating from the 1960s. The interior of the castle towers is a modern museum.

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Aso-Kuju National Park is a wonderful nature experience. Located inthe caldera of Mt. Aso, the park dominates both the rim and the approaches to the volcano. Inside you will find older cones, both larger and smaller than the main crater, and also beautiful mountain lakes. The towns in the caldera sport a number of ryokans and resorts designed to take advantage of the clean, cold mountain air and beautiful scenery. Many activities such as horseback riding, spas, skiing and ice skating are readily available.

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Not far from Kumamoto is the real live active volcano, Mt. Aso, one of several on Kyushu. A trip to Mt. Aso is fairly simple, you drive up into the mountains, through the towns of the caldera and then up through Aso Park to the cable car. Ride the cable car up right up to the rim. There are three main viewing areas, though when I visited only one was open due to volcanic gasses. If that weren't a reminder enough, scattered around the rim are mushroom shaped pill boxes so people can take cover from spewing ash and cinders when the volcano gets REALLY active. A third reminder of the power of the volcano lay in the altars the Japanese set up. About the altars were gifts to the volcano God to keep her from waking up.

Mist and gas makes it a bit difficult to see the lava lake, but every once in a while the mist clears and you get a look. The smell of sulphur permeates the air all around the rim and you can buy bags of sulphur or figurines made from volcanic ash from various vendors. The cable car area boasts a number of restaurants and souvenier stores, as does the volcanic museum below.

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This tip is a bit sad to write, but it may appeal to a lot of people. I think a lot of the kids (and there were very many kids) could overlook the fact that the monkeys were on rope leashes and obviously didn't have the intelligence to understand the line of patter (not speaking Japanese neither did I for that matter) and jokes that they responded to. Still, the overall level of dexterity the animals display, easily walkign on 12 ft. stilts and balancing on balls, is really pretty incredible. The vendors sell sweet potato fries and other uniquely Japanese snacks and the entire performance takes just over 20 minutes. I think if the leashes hadn't been so prominent I might really have walked away from this show feeling pretty happy, but they kind of spoiled it for me. Still, I think children will likely not notice and to many people it isn't an issue. As you leave you (or at least the kids) get to shake hands with one of the monkeys and have a picture fiesta.

I have a related tip on just seeing the monkeys at the same facility.

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Just outside of South Aso are the Aso Osaru Monkeys. Entry to the general facility is free after you pass through a double row of food and souvenier vendors. The facility has about forty monkeys in a very large enclosure where they run and play. The monkeys are of all ages and both sexes and you can feed them with a pair of tongs (for your safety and theirs). I dropped a piece of yakitori and one of the males snatched it right up by reaching under the wire mesh, but mostly they want you to feed them these Y100 bags of monkey feed. Inside there is a mix of fruits, vegetables and nuts that resembles their diet in the wild and lets you fed 10-12 times.

The facility is open every day from 9:00-5:00 and has 2-3 shows per day, see my separate tip

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If Kumamoto has one place that is a must, it is the castle. One of the big three in Japan, Kumamoto Castle is located near the city center, very easy to get to and not to be missed. Tickets are a moderate Y500 and you are free to roam through the grounds and structures at will for as long as you like. Although shrouded in scaffolding, the castle is still beautiful, with historical exhibits on each of the floors leading to the top. Not everything is translated into English, but most of it is. The castle was razed at least once in warfare, but is in very good shape. The base uses a unique style of stonework designed to make it difficult to undercut.

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Suizenji Jojuen Garden is a refined circular garden of Momoyama period style and represents the 53 Stations of the Tokaido Road.
The fresh springs in the garden release clean, cold water, which flows there from Mt. Aso via underground currents.
In 1636, Tadatoshi, the third Lord of Hosokawa, began its construction as a tea retreat, and he also built a temple here for Priest Gentaku.
This temple was called Suizenji.
This beautiful Momoyama style garden evolve during the reigns of the fourth and fifth Lords.
In all it took about 80 years to complete.
Jojuen was named after a character in a poem written by Tao Yuanming.

Must visit attractions in Suizenji Jojuen Garden
- Izumi Shinto Shrine
- Kokindenju Room
- Noh Theater
- Water for Longevity

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Kumamoto Castle, the city's most famous landmark, is an extremely well fortified Japanese castle.

The donjon is a concrete reconstruction built in the 1970s, but several ancillary wooden buildings remain of the original castle. The castle was besieged during the Satsuma Rebellion, and was sacked and burned after a 53-day siege.