OFFICIAL KUMAMOTO TOURISM GUIDE

About Kumamoto

Kumamoto—The central of Kyushu, South-west Japan.
Enjoy a walk in the land blessed by nature, where Japan's traditions
since ancient time have been kept alive.

Delicious food and hot-springs bestowed by nature

Kumamoto is famous for "Mount Aso" where one of the world's largest calderas lies, and the beautiful sea around "Amakusa"—a group of 120 islands. Both the mountains of Aso and the sea of Amakusa are designated as national parks by the Japanese Government. It's these two "mountain" and "sea" national parks which make Kumamoto a unique land, even in Japan.

There is a famous active volcano resides in Aso. The energy coming from this volcano blesses Kumamoto with many charming hot-springs. Kumamoto is one of Japan's most popular spots for hot-springs. Anyone soaks in a hot-spring here will feel relaxed both physically and mentally.

Hot-spring isn't the only blessing from Aso's volcano. The geological strata here, formed due to eruptions, become a natural filter, cleansing the streams of water running through before they well up throughout the province. Such beautiful water is also one of Kumamoto's attractions. (In fact, this groundwater is used as tap water for the entire Kumamoto city where most of the people in Kumamoto reside.)

With its mineral water and abundant nature, Kumamoto possesses a large variety of ingredients. From the "mountains' blessings" (such as rice, citrus fruits, and Japanese Brown beef) to the "sea's blessings" (such as Japanese tiger prawns, Japanese cutlass fishes, and sea breams), the ingredients found at this place carry distinctive flavors. Don't forget to give the food here a try on your next visit to Kumamoto.

The land of history

Coming to Kumamoto, one could feel Japan's history being conveyed through time through the historical sites found here.

Built 400 years ago, Kumamoto Castle is seen as Kumamoto's symbol and one of the Three Famous Castles of Japan.

Miyamoto Musashi—a Ronin in the Edo era, famous for his double-bladed swordsmanship—also spent his last years in Kumamoto.

One can easily find places linked to him such as the Unganzen-Ji where Miyamoto spent years to write "The Book of Five Rings" (Go Rin No Sho)—a text on the art of martial arts—and Musashizuka where his final resting place lies in Kumamoto city.

Christianity was once banned in Japan.
The "Sakitsu Village" in Kumamoto is a part of the "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region"—a historical site registered as a world heritage in July 2018. This valuable historical village is where one can feel the life and culture of the people who hid while protecting their beliefs in Christianity. Within the village lies the Sakitsu Tenshudo (Sakitsu Church), a valuable building protected by the residents here.

There are many temples and shrines in Japan. Anyone can feel the Japanese culture and traditions coming to one of these facilities. From the Aoi Aso Temple—a 1200 years old national temple located in Hitoyoshi city—to the Aso shrine in Aso city and the Heitate shrine in Yamato city, Kumamoto is the house to many ancient shrines in Japan.

Come to Kumamoto and experience the hospitality of the people, the history, and the culture here!

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