Things to do in Kumamoto Prefecture

We have a great time. If you go in September just have in consideration that is hot and humid. We wish we had a more time in the second stop. It felt a bit of rush, and it was such a nice spot we wish could enjoy a bit more. The Takachiho Gorge was excellent, we recommend to book with the boat ride because it was sold out. The boat was fun and fresh in the middle of a hot day. Thanks to Daisy for the explanation of every place and recommendation

I have been to Japan many times, but this was my first time choosing a one-day guided tour. First of all, a huge shout-out to my tour guide, Sun Peng—he was humorous, very responsible, and extremely professional. I enjoyed listening to his many stories and his recommendations for delicious food. Second, regarding the itinerary, each location is actually worth spending a full day at, so joining a tour feels a bit rushed. I recommend the Aso train and Kusasenri itinerary. I also really liked Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, and the shrines in Takachiho were nice as well, though the gorge tour was just so-so. Skipping the boat ride and the mini-train was a very wise choice, I think, because it was just too hot. Finally, a big shout-out to the driver. Since it coincided with a Japanese long weekend and I heard traffic was terrible, the driver skillfully avoided the worst of the congestion. Very professional.

Departing on September 9, 2026, our guide, Miyamoto, provided detailed explanations. Since Mount Aso was currently closed (due to a helicopter accident), our itinerary was changed to Aso Bousou Kugino Roadside Station, a rest stop with beautiful views of the Aso mountain range. Afterward, we visited Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine, which felt like being in a movie scene. We then arrived at Kusasenri for lunch, a vast grassland on the mountain with many horses and cows along the way, offering a very relaxing landscape. The final stop was Kurokawa Onsen, a charming and comfortable hot spring town, where we also enjoyed delicious cream puffs. The entire trip was well worth experiencing, and our guide welcomed everyone to Kumamoto. Most attractions have been open since the earthquake in July 2026, so visitors can come with peace of mind. God bless Kumamoto! Go Kumamoto!

one of the best tours I have ever been to! the tour goes to all of the must see spots in Miyazaki! the Gorge was absolutely beautiful! i also really loved the Aso Grass land. it was very foggy which created a ghibli vibe right out of the Howls Moving Castle movie. our guide was absolutely amazing! she pointed us to all of the best spots and photo opportunities. the tour ended with the opportunity to try horse meat at an absolutely delicious shop- and local secret.

I think this one-day tour was fantastic. Not only was the buy-one-get-one-free deal incredibly good value, but they also gave us souvenirs at the end. What I really appreciated most was not having to worry about transportation. Our tour guide was also very professional, and his English was excellent. We had foreign tourists in our group, and the guide could switch from Chinese to English instantly. His English was very pleasant to listen to. The only downside was that the flowing noodle area was closed due to an earthquake or something similar, so we didn't get to try the flowing noodles, which was a bit of a shame. Also, some group members went boating and were late, but the guide waited for them.

Due to the earthquake in the Kyushu region, we changed the tour to Miyazaki for safety reasons. I am Korean, and the guide was fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese, so if you know a little of any of those three languages, you'll have a comfortable trip. Also, it seems like the guides are assigned randomly, but the guide I had was very kind! Oh, and since you'll be walking quite a bit, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. For dining, it's a good idea to research restaurants in advance or consider bringing a packed lunch.

I had booked this tour led by guide Nana, but since I was staying overnight in Kumamoto that evening, I realized right before departure that it didn't quite fit my schedule. Guide Nana immediately helped me switch to a more suitable tour led by guide Zhou. It poured rain on the day of the tour, but guide Zhou thoughtfully looked after all the team members the entire way. She was enthusiastic and cheerful, bringing laughter wherever we went. When an American joined the group as we left Kumamoto Castle, guide Zhou took turns explaining everything in both Chinese and English all the way. Listening to her native-sounding English introduction was also a treat. Finally, when we were about to leave, guide Zhou asked the driver to drop us off right at the station entrance so we wouldn't get soaked in the rain while pulling our luggage. In short, I am very grateful to the two enthusiastic guides I met this time. Even though it was a rainy day, my heart was filled with sunshine the whole way.

This experience was wonderful, we were able to catch dolphins diving and the captain of the boat would drive around until we’d find dolphins. Great for wildlife photography and a new experience!

I visited Kumamoto Castle for the second time! As expected of one of Japan's three most famous castles, it was large and magnificent! A few years ago, a major earthquake in Kumamoto destroyed parts of the castle, and restoration work is still ongoing, but from a tourist's perspective, there were no issues touring Kumamoto Castle! I highly recommend purchasing your admission tickets in advance through Klook! This is because at the entrance, there are separate lines for buying tickets and for those who pre-purchased tickets. If you show the staff your QR code, you can enter immediately, which significantly reduces your waiting time, making it a huge advantage!