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.