Kumamoto

Kumamoto is one of the delights of Kyushu––an island that boasts dramatic landscapes, from primeval forests and rugged seaside cliffs to towering active volcanoes, from cool, clear, flowing rivers to bubbling hot springs. Rich in history and culture, a myriad of enthralling experiences await you here.

The first stop for first-time visitors is without a doubt Kumamoto Castle, which stands iconic in the city of Kumamoto. Damaged in a series of earthquakes in 2016, it is being reconstructed by the spirited and fiercely proud locals and remains a must-see for any traveller passing through.

Literature aficionados will know that Greek-Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn––one of the very first Westerners to write about Japan and Japanese culture––made Kumamoto his home for three years. Initially indifferent to his new abode, he soon succumbed to the city’s charms, as will you.

Travel away from urban Kumamoto to admire the unparalleled natural beauty of the land around Aso, one of Japan’s nine certified UNESCO Global Geoparks and the largest active volcano in Japan. Roam across the wide expanse of grassland of the Kusasenri Plateau, with local cattle and horses grazing undisturbed nearby. Inquisitive and geologically curious visitors will be delighted by a visit to the Aso Volcano Museum to learn more about volcanoes and the geological processes at play in this region.