Kumamoto Prefecture Travel Guide

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Kumamoto Prefecture

Famous for Kumamoto Castle and many national parks of Japan located in the center of Kyushu Island.

Kumamoto Prefecture is located at the center of Kyushu Island which is bordered by Fukuoka Prefecture as well as Oita Prefecture to the north, Miyazaki Prefecture to the east, Kagoshima to the south and Ariake Sea to the west. Kumamoto city is the capital of this prefecture with a population of around 750,000. This prefecture is most well-known for Kumamoto Castle, scenic gardens, national parks as well as many hot spring resorts near the active volcano of Mount Aso. It is estimated around 21% of the overall land in Kumamoto is composed of natural and national parks like Yabe Shūhen Prefectural Natural Park and Aso Kujū National Park. Kumamoto offers a deep cultural history and scenic views of Japan along with a relaxing hot spring area of Kurokawa Onsen. Travelers can tour Kumamoto Castle, which was an extremely well built fortress designed by Kato Kiyomasa. During the Sengoku feudal period of Japan, Kumamoto Castle was regarded as an impenetrable center of power of current day Kumamoto. The original castle was burnt down in 1877 with the one standing today as a ferro-concrete reconstructed model which was completed in 1960. Today visitors can explore this castle filled with ancient artifacts including samurai weapon, armor, historical letters and much more. While at Suizenji Garden, visitors can stroll along the 64.6 hectares of land with an intricate layout of 53 post towns of the old Tokaido highway built for the Hosokawa clan over a spread of 80 years. The Kurokawa Onsen offers a refreshing experience of outdoor baths, ryokans and shops attracting thousands of both local and foreign visitors each year. Some of the small historical bath houses have been used by the feudal lords nearby Kumamoto Castle hundreds of years ago. Lastly, enjoy the local specialties at Kumamoto like basashi or raw house meat and Ikinaridango, which is a sweet dish consisting of sweet potatoes, red bean paste carefully wrapped in a salty dough bun.

Kyushu | Kumamoto Prefecture

Amakusa

Amakusa, located in the southwestern part of Kumamoto, consists of Shimo-shima and Kami-shima islands.

Kyushu | Kumamoto Prefecture

Aso

An active volcano with different activities around the location such as strolling paths and Ropeways, also known as the landmark of Kumamoto giving it the name of Hinokuni, located at the center of Kyushu Island, Japan.

Kyushu | Kumamoto Prefecture

Kumamoto City

The capital of Kumamoto Prefecture filled with samurai culture and history.

Kyushu | Kumamoto Prefecture

Kurokawa Onsen

A traditional hot spring area in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan known for the Rotemburo Meguri public bathhouse activity.

Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Kumamoto Prefecture

Regions of Japan

Popular Destinations in Japan

Northern Japan

Around Tokyo

Central Japan

Kansai

Southern Japan

Kumamoto Prefecture

Amakusa

Aso

Kumamoto City

Kurokawa Onsen

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