Recommended courses
For over 400 years, the Kumamoto Castle has been the center of Kumamoto, both geographically and culturally. The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes left the castle heavily damaged, but reconstruction projects have helped the castle reopen, with the renovated interior of the Main Keep unveiled to the public in June 2021.
If you’ve got a day to spend to see Kumamoto Castle, the following route is full of useful suggestions.
START
Furumachi
Neighborhood
Between Kumamoto Castle and Kumamoto Station lies the historic Furumachi neighborhood. The area is filled with traditional buildings, a number of which have been renovated into upscale shops and tasty eateries.
Ryoriya Residence Tudzura is a hostel that opened in 2021 on the second floor of a renovated 130-year-old ryokan. The manager hails from Korea but speaks Japanese, English, and Chinese (and Korean, of course).
The guest rooms and lounge area are filled with carefully curated relics of the past, including hundred-year-old hanging scrolls.
Just a five-minute walk from Ryoriya Residence Tudzura is Coffee Gallery, a popular new coffee shop located in a renovated townhouse. Customers can enjoy a variety of tasty caffeinated beverages here.
Next, we hop on the tram to
Kumamoto Castle! (10 min)
https://kumamoto-guide.jp/en/access/city.html
Josaien
Josaien is a reimagining of a traditional castle town located right at the base of Kumamoto Castle. Inside you’ll find a museum all about Kumamoto Castle, a tourist information desk, and over 20 of Kumamoto’s finest eateries and souvenirs shops, all in one conveniently located spot.
Wakuwakuza is a great place where you’ll find interactive exhibits explaining the culture and history of the castle in fun and easy-to-understand ways. Kimonos and other costumes are available to rent and wear while you tour the castle. If you’re planning on visiting the castle as well, be sure to buy a Wakuwakuza-Kumamoto Castle combo ticket to save some money.
Just next to Wakuwakuza is the Josaien Tourist Information Center. Here you’ll find information on things to do in and around Kumamoto City. There’s in Kumamoto, so be sure to pick up some information here to plan your stay. Check out the big screen in the window for upcoming events and information about the castle.
Let’s see what Josaien has to offer for lunch. There are so many places to eat here. This restaurant serves a lunch buffet featuring local specialties made with local ingredients that are sure to please almost any diner. Favorites include spicy and crunchy karashi renkon (lotus root stuffed with mustard miso), Akaushi beef curry, and an impressive dessert bar.
About 3 min on foot
Special Observation Passage
of Kumamoto Castle
Next, follow the signs to the rear of Josaien until you get to the south ticket station for Kumamoto Castle.
This is one of two current entrances to Kumamoto Castle. This entrance leads directly to the newly constructed Special Observation Passage.
This elevated pathway gives visitors a bird’s-eye-view of the ongoing reconstruction work at the castle.
The pathway offers great views of the Main Keep and some of the castle’s largest and most majestic stone walls. The route winds around the keeps before arriving at the castle’s inner citadel.
Inside the Kumamoto Castle Keeps
The interior is divided into six floors. Each floor explores a different era of the castle’s history,
starting with its construction 400 years ago by Lord Kato Kiyomasa up to the damage and restoration
following the earthquakes of 2016.
Check out our in-depth walkthrough here.
Following the 2016 earthquakes, the Kumamoto Castle keeps underwent extensive repairs and reconstruction. The entire interior was redesigned into a museum. To see all of the museum signage in multiple languages, be sure download the Kumamoto Castle Official App (click here for more information on how to use it).
The Main Keep Observation Deck
Breathtaking views await you on the sixth floor of the Main Keep. The top floor offers 360-degree views over Kumamoto City and the surrounding countryside. On clear days, you can see the mountains of Aso to the east. Don’t forget to use the AR feature in the castle app to compare the modern skyline with historical photographs.
about 5min walk
Kumamoto City Hall –
14th Floor Observation Deck
A well-known secret is that City Hall has some of the best views of Kumamoto Castle. Just take the elevator all the way up to the 14th floor for some great views.
about 1min walk
Shimotori & Kamitori Arcades
The Shimotori and Kamitori Arcades are the heart of downtown Kumamoto. The arcades branch off from Densha Dori (the street with the tram), with Shimotori going south and Kamitori going north. Shimotori is where much of Kumamoto’s nightlife is centered, with countless izakaya, bars both authentic and dive, and much more. Kamitori—and its sister street Kaminouradori—is more laidback, featuring many clothing boutiques and coffee shops.
about 1min walk from Kamitori Arcades
Kumamoto
Favorites
To end our day, we head off to an izakaya located in an old, renovated house on the quiet Kaminouradori Street. This izakaya specializes in Kumamoto-centric food, offering local favorites like takana chahan (fried rice with pickled mustard greens), Akaushi beef skewers, and basashi (horsemeat sashimi). The relaxed atmosphere and reasonable pricing make it a popular spot.
After your meal, how about going out for a drink around Kamitori? If you’ve got another day to spend in Kumamoto, check out our model course around Suizenji Jojuen Garden and Lake Ezu!
