Discover Kumamoto
Kumamoto hosts one of the most famous castles in Japan, the Kumamoto Castle, which is sought after all around Japan for its beauty and majestic posture. Furthermore, you can stroll around some beautifully preserved historic streets or take in some local culture at one of the cities many museums.
Things to see and do
Tours and Activities
FAQs
Getting around in Kumamoto
The easiest way around Kumamoto is on foot, since the major sights and attractions are within walking distance from each other. Though, some sights are located a bit further ahead, where a car or train might be useful. Luckily, Kumamoto offers an extensive tram network to get around. If you decide to rent a car, it is advised to do so from the nearest airport in the vicinity. You can use our car rental widget in the FAQ menu below.
Travelers can also opt to buy the following passes to get around:
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Kumamoto 1-Day Pass Plus
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Coverage: all trams and buses within Kumamoto City
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Duration: 1 day
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Price: 700 Yen
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Where to buy: Sakuramachi Bus Terminal
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Kumamoto 1-Day Pass
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Coverage: all trams within Kumamoto
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Duration: 1 day
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Price: 500 Yen
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Where to buy: Sakuramachi Bus Terminal
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Getting to Kumamoto
Public transportation:
Travelers who come by train or bullet-train need to get off at Kumamoto station. From there, they have access to the vast tram network within the city.
Valid rail passes:
Nearest airport:
The nearest and most convenient airport is Aso-Kumamoto Airport.
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by car: approximately 50 minutes
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by public transport: approximately 45 minutes
Rental cars:
How long to stay in Kumamoto
We recommend staying here between one and two days.
Hotels in Kumamoto
Flights to Kumamoto
The nearest and most convenient airport is Aso-Kumamoto Airport.
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by car: approximately 50 minutes
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by public transport: approximately 45 minutes
Seasonal information
Cherry blossoms:
The best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan is usually between late March and early April. Although the blooming period can vary slightly from year to year.
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Ninomaru Park: lush park known for its cherry blossom festival.
Festivals in Kumamoto
There is one well-known festival in this area. Please be advised that the following info is based upon previous entries of the festival and that the dates might have changed for the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information.
For the exact location of the festival, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.
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Tsubame Summer Festival
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Date: July 6th and 7th
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Time: 11:00 - 20:00
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Getting mobile data in Japan
We recommend the following options for staying connected in Japan:
Day trips from Kumamoto
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Read MoreVisit Hitoyoshi Castle and spend your day wandering around the ancient ruins. Afterwards, hike up Mount Shiraga for some nice views of the surrounding area.
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