KUMAMOTO

Kumamoto is a city of history and culture surrounded by great nature, composed of beautiful plains that spread almost endlessly and strong-looking mountains. On the first visit to Kumamoto, people become enraptured by the dynamics of its nature. Mt. Aso is an active volcano with an outer caldera of 80 km in circumference, and its eternal action of burning is the symbol of Kumamoto, or the ' Country of Fire'.
Kumamoto flourished as the castle town of Lord Kiyomasa Kato and the Hosokawa clan. Kumamoto Castle, which still remains in Kumamoto City, is a distinguished castle which took Lord Kiyomasa Kato seven years to build starting in 1600. As it was built to apply to practical warfare, the inside of the castle, which is 9 km in circumference, has a good solid structure complete with wells, secret underground passages, and stone walls designed to prevent enemy invasion.

Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Catsle

map of Kyushu Island
Mt.Aso (Volcano)
Mt.Aso(Komezuka)
In addition, marks of history remain all over Kumamoto, and the number of ornamental ancient tombs in the prefecture is the biggest in Japan. There are more than 280 of these tombs recognized in the country, and more than 120 of them are in Kumamoto. In a town named Kikusui, several ancient tombs such as the quasinational ruin of Eta-funayama Tomb remain. The Tumulus Tomb Festival is held here, and it has become one of the three fire festivals in the prefecture. Thus, Kumamoto is obviously an important city of history and culture in Japan.

Shohinken in Yatsushiro
Shohinken
Built in 1688, this tea house later became the personal villa of the lords of Yatsushiro Castle. Irises blooming in the garden pond in June add to the elegance of the tea ceremonies that are still here today.

Hotspring in Aso
Hot Springs(Aso)
Aso is rich in hot springs, with white steam billowing up from diverse mountain gorges and meadows. Aso also features many outdoor public baths, which are popular not only for their medicinal effects, but also for the beautiful scenery they offer.

 Amakusa Islands
Amakusa(Myoken Coast)
The exceptionally beautiful scenery of the deeply-indented seacoast and the sun setting in the clear blue ocean is the west coast of Amakusa, made up of up 120 large and small islands.

Suizenji Park
Suizenji Park
Constructed by Lord Hosokawa in the early 17's, Suizenji Park is one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Located at a just over 15 minutes walk from our campus, you can enjoy green tea and sweets in the Edo-era's tea house with a marvelous view of the entire garden.

Kikuchi Gorge
Kikuchi Gorge
Kikuchi Gorge is said to be one of the most beautiful gorges in Japan, surrounded by virgin forest, the water there is among the purest, the area is the coolest spot in Kumamoto, making it an perfect place to get away from the hot and humid summer in the city.

HOW TO GET TO KUMAMOTO CITY
From Fukuoka Airport
  • Take a highway bus "Hinokuni" to Kumamoto Kotsu Center. (Time: 2 hours Cost: 2000yen)

  • Take the subway to Hakata JR Station (Time: 5min. Cost: 250yen), and to Kumamoto JR Station by limited express. (Time: 1 hour 20 min. Cost: 3440 yen)
    • From Kumamoto Airport
  • Take the Limousine Bus to Kumamoto Kotsu Center. (Time: 40 min. Cost: 670yen)
    • -Statistics:
    Area Population Av.Temperature
    Kumamoto Prefecture:7,402.59 K‡u 1,852,135 January (Winter)
    April (Spring)     		: 6C
    : 16C
    Kumamoto City:266.31 K‡u 670,945 August (Summer)
    October (Autumn)     		: 28C
    : 20C



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