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Kumamoto castle is ranked as one of three best reconstructed castles in Japan - and the locals are duly proud of this town centerpiece. It costs 500yen to enter the castle grounds (open 8.30am-5.30pm in summer, until 4.30pm in winter). It's definitely worth a visit - the grounds are a pleasant walk and there are good panoramic views from the top of the castle tower over the surrounding city. The exhibition in the castle tower of historical artifacts is a bit dull - and in Japanese only - walk through this section quickly on your way to the top! The best place for a picnic or a quick game of Frisbee is the huge (by Japanese standards) grassy park to the west of the Castle tower. You will also find the Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum, and Kumamoto Municipal Museum in this area. Suizenji Garden This garden is also highly rated in Japan. It is a great photo opportunity for traditional Japanese scenery - the park contains a tatami floored tea-house, a large lake with coy carp, an orange grove, a small temple, sculptured trees and even a mini "mt Fuji!" It's a great place to take visiting parents! It's not the kind of place you would visit more than once - but worth a visit. You can reach Suizenji garden on the tram car line - take a number 2 or 3 tram to Suizenjikoen mae. Zoo and gardens There is a big wheel and a couple of fairground rides, a botanical garden and a zoo a 20 minute tram ride from the city center The zoo itself is a disappointment. You can't help but feel that much less concrete and more space for the animals would cheer up the pretty miserable apes and bears on display - its quite depressing. The bird section is pleasant enough though, and it's a nice stroll around the lake. Maybe think about combining a visit with a trip to the nearby Lake Ezo or Suizenji garden. Directions; take a number 2 or 3 tram to Dosyokobutsuen tram stop. Lake Ezu This spring fed lake system runs from Suizenji Park, all the way down to Kumamoto Zoo. It can be reached easily from the electric streetcar. A walk at lake Ezu is good to get away from the busyness of the city. There is a rubberized track that is perfect for jogging, and trails that wind around the lake. You can rent paddle or row boats, bring a fishing rod and catch some eels or you can bring some bread and feed the ducks. Tatsuda park This is a large forest reserve with particular parts planted according to seasons. There is a temple�Atea house and tombs in the park. There are also ancient trees and bamboo groves to enjoy walking through. Directions; From Kumamoto Kotsu Center take the City Bus Kusushiro Saisen Line. Get off at Tatsuda Shizen Koen Entrance (15 min. ride) and walk 10 min. Five story pagoda and Rengein Tanjyo-ji Okunoin Temple The grounds are gorgeous with a carp pond, stone bridges, stone lanterns and a massive buddha at the top of the hill. You can write a few wishes on ceramic plates and then frisbee them down to the valley below. The temple also contains the "largest temple bell in the world", and you may even get to see the monks sounding it. Entrance fee is 200yen. Directions; It is about 15 minutes north of route 208 in Tamana city http://www.uproad.ne.jp/rengein/ Yatsushiro Castle Yatsushiro castle is worth visiting if you are in the area - you can picnic on top of the castle walls and look over the industrial town. There is also a shrine in the grounds. The site becomes really lively during hanami season. Prefectural Theatre There are plenty of performances that take place at the prefectural theatre throughout the year. Check the schedule at the tourist information centre. Directions; From downtown, take the densha dori/route 28 out of the city, over the 3. At the junction/lights for the big out of town Daiei turn left. Follow this road past a fire station (on the right) until you get to a big crossroads. Turn right here. The Kenritsu is well sign posted just past the food places on the left hand side. There is parking round the back. City Theatre The city theatre is across the road from the International Center in downtown Kumamoto. Kumamoto prefectural art museum The Kumamoto city art museum is on the castle grounds. It is small with lovely exhibits. It costs about 200yen depending on the exhibition. Kumamoto city art museum (CAMK) There are some really good contemporary art exhibitions at this new facility. Previous modern art exhibits include a formaldehyde half pig, a lump of coal and an empty white room with flickering neon lights. Definitely worth a visit! The museum is in the city center, across the road from PARCO - on the 3rd floor. Mitsui Greenland Mitsui Greenland in Arao city is the largest amusement park in Kumamoto-ken. It also claims to be one of the largest in all of Japan, drawing visitors from all over Kyushu. It has roller coasters, a haunted house and plenty of other rides. It costs 1,600yen to enter the park, or 5,000yen if you want a day pass. Check out their website for further details. Tel: 0968-66-1122. Located next to Ultraman land (which itself is next to Mitsui Greenland), is a good onsen - " Tennen Greenland." It has large inside baths with jet spas and utase yu, sauna, and a sheltered outside onsen in natural surroundings. Opening times are 1000-2400. It costs 450yen (0968662000). There is also a great water park at Mitsui Greenland. There are 8 kinds of pools in the water park which are fantastic for escaping the summer heat. Open; 27th July to 1st September (In August, from 9 am to sunset). It costs 1900 yen. 0968-66-1112 Directions; The theme park is a 10 minutes taxi ride from Arao station. On the 389 driving north, just before Arao Station take the 314 and follow the signs. Dolphin World There are about 3,000 marine creatures from the Amakusa Sea in the aquarium. There are dolphin and sea lion shows. You can also feed the penguins. Dolphin World is 1.3km From Route 324 in Hondo City. It is open from 8:40 am until 5:15 pm. It costs 1,300 yen. 0969-22-2103 Sea doughnuts aquarium The aquarium is located just off the 266. After the fourth bridge (driving from Kumamoto) the aquarium is opposite the Ryugu Hotel. Buses stop here going to/from Matsushima town. 0969561155. Arao kaeba - horse racing The racing track was opened in 1928. There is a view of the sea from the stadium. The entrance fee is 100yen. Weekend races run from 1040- 1618. This is one of the few places to gamble in Kumamoto (other than pachinko). It is a short taxi ride from Arao station. It's on the 389 coastal road on your left (driving north from Kumamoto) 0968622210 Outdoor Places Ushibuka Nature Park At the southern tip of Amakusa, the nature park area has amazing views, a series of hiking trails, fishing spots, diving and snorkeling areas. Directions: Drive to Ushibuke on the 266, cross over the Haiya Bridge - and continue along the small road heading SE. Kikuchi Ravine This beautiful ravine is a great place to go to escape the summer heat. There are plenty of deep river pools which are good for swimming in. There are also woodland walks - on which you can see plenty of wildlife and Japanese birdwatchers! Directions: The ravine is difficult to reach without a car. It is 6 km From Route 387, in the Kikuchi area. Takema Ravine The ravine is another great place to cool off in summer. You can play in the river, and enjoy the spray from the Kanabaru Waterfall. There are also woodlands to walk through. Directions: The ravine is in TakuKahoku town, Kamoto-gun. It is 10km from Route 3. Yatani Ravine The nearby Yatanai Ravine boasts a natural waterslide into the river. The ravine is surrounded by mountains on both side - Mt Yahogadahke and Mt Kunimidake - and provides hiking possibilities. There are also opportunities to go salmon fishing. The ravine is in YataniKikuka town, Kamoto-gun. It is 14km from Route 37. Unokono waterfall Set in a secluded valley this fantastic 20m high waterfall is a great place for a picnic. In summer cool off with a swim in the huge crystal clear lake. Directions: It is located just over the Kumamoto border in Miyazaki ken. On the 218 (from Matsubase) after driving past the turn-off for the 265 look for the signposted right turn for the Unokono waterfall Koga Waterfall There are two huge waterfalls (80m and 90m) on the slopes of the Aso volcano. These are especially spectacular in winter when they are frozen. Directions: The waterfalls are located near Ichinomiya town in Aso. They are 1.6km from Route 57. The closest station is Miyaji (7.6km away). Gokanosho Izumi Mura If you want to get away from it all go exploring in the gokanosho area of Izumi mura - the best time to come is early November to see the autumn leaves. They are among the most beautiful in Kyushu! There are a few waterfalls and suspension bridges to hike around - and there are even a few scattered restaurants and gift shops. This area is absolutely great for escaping the city. |