A First-Time-Friendly Kumamoto Travel Guide: Enjoy the Best of Its Attractions

Access from Aso Kumamoto Airport to Kumamoto Station is as follows.
Several bus routes operate from bus stop No. 4, and some buses have different destinations, so be careful.
A taxi takes Approx. 45 minutes, so it is also recommended if you have a lot of luggage or want a more comfortable ride.

Access from Aso Kumamoto Airport to Aso Station is as follows.
There are four bus routes from bus stop No. 3 toward the Aso area, but only the “Limited Express Yamabiko” goes to Aso Ekimae by the shortest route.
If you take another route, it may not stop there, or it may take longer and have a different fare, so please be careful.
If you are unsure, ask a staff member or take a taxi, which takes Approx. 40 minutes.

The Wakuwaku 1day Pass is a paper pass that gives you unlimited rides for one day on trams and route buses in Kumamoto Prefecture.
There are three types available, each with a different coverage area depending on your destination, from Kumamoto City to wider parts of the prefecture.
In Kumamoto, both the tram and route buses in central Kumamoto City have a flat fare of 200 yen, so this pass becomes a good deal if you ride at least five times while sightseeing in the city.
It is especially recommended if you want to travel mainly by bus while enjoying the scenery, or if you want to avoid walking as much as possible.
It’s also nice that showing the pass at partner facilities such as Kumamoto Castle gives you discounts.
Please note that it is valid for one day only (12:00am–1:00am), and JR lines and airport limousine buses are not included.
However, if you purchase it through the app, it is valid for 24 hours from the start of use, so it is best to make efficient use of it.
The details are as follows.

The Northern Kumamoto Area, which refers to the northern part of Kumamoto, is a place rich in nature, facing the Ariake Sea to the west and lined with mountains to the east.
This area is mainly made up of the three regions of Arao / Tamana and Yamaga / Kikuchi, and is also characterized by excellent access to neighboring prefectures such as Fukuoka.
The appeal of the Northern Kumamoto Area lies in its wide variety of attractions, including nature, culture, and gourmet experiences.
In particular, it has many spots with magnificent views, with Kikuchi Gorge, which reflects the changing seasons, and Arao Tidal Flat, registered under the Ramsar Convention, being prime examples.
It is also known for hot spring destinations such as Yamaga Onsen and Kikuchi Onsen, offering healing and relaxation to visitors.
Culturally valuable landmarks such as the World Heritage-listed Manda Pit and the Important Cultural Property Yachiyoza are also not to be missed.
In addition, it is famous as the hometown of Shiso Kanakuri, the first Japanese Olympian and the model for the taiga drama Idaten, as well as for Tamana Ramen, said to be the origin of Kumamoto ramen.

The Aso Area in northeastern Kumamoto is located near the borders of Oita and Miyazaki prefectures.
It occupies most of Aso-Kuju National Park, which stretches into Oita Prefecture, and is above all known for its magnificent natural scenery.
Its symbol, of course, is Mt. Aso, which has one of the world’s largest calderas, a unique depression formed by volcanic eruptions.
The Aso Gogaku peaks rising in the center and the vast grasslands viewed from the observation points are just some of the breathtaking sights that will capture your heart.
It’s no surprise that many travelers from Japan and abroad visit throughout the year to experience the blessings of Aso’s land firsthand.
The area is also known for its thriving agriculture, with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and local specialties to enjoy.
Among them, Akaushi beef raised in Aso’s great natural environment is a local food especially worth trying.

The Kumamoto City Area, located in the southern part of the Northern Kumamoto Area, is the center of Kumamoto, situated almost in the middle of Kyushu.
Major spots gather here, including the city’s symbol Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto Station, and Suizenji Jojuen Garden.
With the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, excellent accessibility is also one of its features.
The city still has the atmosphere of an old castle town, and a walk around it lets you enjoy its charm while experiencing the warmth of the local people.
In particular, food hopping and shopping in the Furumachi District, whose town layout has remained unchanged for 400 years, are highly recommended.
The three lively shopping districts of Kamitori Arcade, Shimotori Arcade, and Sunroad Shinshigai are also worth visiting.
The city is also known as the “City of Water,” and is unusual in that all of its tap water comes from groundwater.
Watermelon grown with this pure water, along with local specialties such as Kumamoto ramen and horse sashimi, will make your trip even more enjoyable.

The Central Kumamoto Area, adjacent to Kumamoto City, consists of the Kamimashiki and Uki regions.
It has prospered since ancient times as an important transportation hub, and today its excellent access remains one of its key features, with Aso Kumamoto Airport located in Kamimashiki District.
In the Kamimashiki area, many historic structures that inspire a sense of romance can be found, including numerous stone bridges such as Tsujun Bridge in Yamato Town and Reidaikyo Bridge in Misato Town, both designated Important Cultural Properties, as well as Japan’s longest stone staircase with 3,333 steps.
You may also enjoy imagining distant ages at the Dinosaur Museum in Mifune Town, which is known for fossil excavation.
Uki City, where railways and roads converge, has developed as a bedroom community for Kumamoto City.
Areas facing the Ariake Sea are also full of attractions, including Misumi West Port in Uki City, the only surviving Meiji-era port facility in Japan, and Okoshiki Coast in Uto City, known for its beautiful curved sand patterns.
In this way, the charm of the Central Kumamoto Area lies in being able to enjoy different personalities from one locality to another.

Located in southwestern Kumamoto, the Amakusa Area is an archipelago made up of more than 120 islands of various sizes.
Connected to Kyushu’s mainland by five bridges collectively known as the Amakusa Pearl Line, named for the stunning views of islands and sea, it is a region nurtured by both nature and culture.
Its especially beautiful blue sea is a major attraction, and dolphin watching, with a 98% encounter rate throughout the year, is one of the area’s top sightseeing highlights.
Along with swimming and clam digging, the area is also rich in seafood, with many excellent restaurants where you can enjoy fresh catches from the sea.
There are also plenty of leisure options to enjoy, including Shimoda Onsen, where you can watch beautiful sunsets, and visiting kilns that produce pottery made from Amakusa pottery stone.
Because the area has been influenced by various cultures and customs over its long history, the whole town has an exotic atmosphere.
It has been especially strongly influenced by Christianity, and is also known as a land of hidden Christians associated with figures such as Amakusa Shiro.
Sakitsu Village, registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2018, is a historic sightseeing spot well worth visiting.

The Southern Kumamoto Area refers to the entire southern part of Kumamoto and is located along the border with Kagoshima.
In addition to the Yatsushiro and Ashikita areas facing the Shiranui Sea, it also includes Kuma District, Hitoyoshi City, and Minamata City, making it the widest-ranging area introduced here.
It is characterized by charming townscapes that stir a sense of nostalgia, as well as many sightseeing spots that evoke the romance of travel.
For example, in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, the unique culture of the Sagara domain, which lasted for Approx. 700 years from the Kamakura period (1185–1333) into the post-Meiji era, still lives on throughout the town.
On the Kuma River, taking the Kuma River Cruise, which has a history of more than 100 years, is a recommended way to enjoy the natural scenery and landscapes of Hitoyoshi from the boat.
Natural ayu sweetfish caught in the river and Kuma shochu made from rice are also excellent, and enjoying famous hot springs such as Hitoyoshi Onsen is another great option.
In addition, the Yatsushiro area is home to Gokanosho, known for the legend of the Heike clan, while the Ashikita area offers attractions such as Odatemisaki Park, one of the largest beaches in the prefecture, along with plenty of cultural and leisure facilities.

A classic snack in Kumamoto and also popular as a souvenir, ikinari dango is a beloved local treat.
The chewy dough, the sweetness of sweet potato and red bean paste, and the light touch of salt create a flavor you will not want to stop eating.
There are also many variations, including ikinari dango made with brown sugar or yomogi mugwort, as well as versions made with purple sweet potato.
Souvenir ikinari dango is sold frozen, and if you heat it in a microwave or steamer, you can enjoy its freshly made flavor at home.

Horse sashimi, now eaten throughout Japan, is said to have originated in Kumamoto.
It is generally served as thin slices of raw horse meat eaten with sweet soy sauce and condiments such as sliced onions, grated ginger, and garlic.
Its melt-in-your-mouth flavor combined with the accents of the condiments makes it a perfect pairing with alcohol.
Different cuts such as lean meat, marbled meat, mane, and fresh liver all have different textures and umami, so be sure to try an assorted platter.
Another nice point is that it is low in calories while still being rich in nutrients.

One of Kyushu’s representative tonkotsu ramen styles, Kumamoto ramen is known for its appetizing aroma of roasted garlic.
Kumamoto ramen features a deep, creamy soup and medium-thick straight noodles with a smooth texture.
Roasted or fried garlic chips, mayu (garlic-infused black oil), and wood ear mushrooms as toppings are also unique characteristics of Kumamoto ramen.