Aso阿蘇
Kumamoto and Aso guide
Kumamoto Castle, under repair since the 2016 earthquakes, and the spring-fed Suizenji Jojuen Garden, in a castle town you can cover by tram. To the east lie the volcano and grasslands of Aso.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Kumamoto Castle
Built by Kato Kiyomasa. Badly damaged in the 2016 earthquakes and still under repair, but the keep is open and a raised walkway leads in.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 2 hrPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Tram · About 30 min from Kumamoto ・ Tram to Kumamoto Castle / City Hall, then about 10 minutes on foot ・ 38km from here
- 2
Suizenji Jojuen Garden
A feudal lord's strolling garden around a pond fed by spring water from Aso, with a small hill shaped like Mt. Fuji.
- Nature
- History & buildings
about 45 minPaid entryWheelchair & stroller friendly
Tram · About 40 min from Kumamoto ・ Tram to Suizenji Park, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 36km from here
- 3
Sakura-no-baba Josaien
A cluster of restaurants and souvenir shops at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, with a hands-on museum about the castle's history.
- Food & markets
- Shopping & strolling
- History & buildings
about 60 minFreeFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Tram · About 22 min from Kumamoto ・ Tram to Hanabatacho, then about 7 minutes on foot ・ 38km from here
- 4
Kamitori and Shimotori arcades
Wide covered shopping streets running north and south of the tram street at Torichosuji, with places for horse sashimi and Kumamoto ramen.
- Shopping & strolling
- Food & markets
- Night views
about 60 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Tram · About 20 min from Kumamoto ・ Tram to Torichosuji ・ 38km from here
- 5
Kato Shrine
A shrine to Kato Kiyomasa inside the castle grounds. From its precinct you look up at the keep from close by.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Views
about 15 minFree
Tram · About 35 min from Kumamoto ・ Tram to Kumamoto Castle / City Hall, then about 15 minutes on foot ・ 38km from here
- 6
Kumamon Square
The home base of Kumamon, Kumamoto Prefecture's bear mascot. There is a goods shop, and Kumamon appears in person on some days.
- With kids
- Shopping & strolling
about 30 minFreeFine on a rainy day
Tram · About 25 min from Kumamoto ・ Tram to Suidocho ・ 38km from here
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
Kumamoto Castle's restored keep (2021) Tokyo-Good (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The Udo Turret of Kumamoto Castle on its stone walls Drivephotographer (CC0) / Pond, stone bridge and Fuji-shaped mound at Suizenji Jojuen 663highland (CC BY 2.5) / Castle-town style shops lining Sakura-no-baba Josaien z tanuki (CC BY 3.0) / The white torii of Kato Shrine lined with banners John Seb Barber (CC BY 2.0) / Horses grazing on the grassland of Kusasenri, Aso Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan (CC BY 2.0). Cropped and resized.
Facilities & features
- Coin lockers and baggage storage
- Elevators available (the route may be longer)
- Typical transfer time: about 4 min
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