Why visit Kumamoto? Is it worth visiting with kids?
On Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, the small city of Kumamoto is worth visiting, especially with kids.
Whether as a day trip from Fukuoka or for a few days, you can wander one of Japan’s most iconic castles, visit delightful and serene green spaces, look down into the crater of an active volcano, and tour statues of the world’s most popular manga and anime series.
Kumamoto itineraries: What to do and what to skip
When most people visit Kumamoto, they only come from Fukuoka for the day. They’re missing out, but you don’t have to, especially with useful sample Kumamoto itineraries to organize your trip.
5 things to do in Kumamoto
- Visit Kumamoto Castle and the traditionally styled tourist street and shops, plus an excellent museum about the castle and the 2016 earthquake that nearly destroyed it
- Wander the peaceful grounds of Suizenji Park, complete with a small grassy hill based on Mt. Fuji
- Rent a car and day trip into the countryside to see the Mt. Aso volcano and museum, plus the Takachiho Gorge (just in neighboring Miyazaki Prefecture)
- Soak in any of the dozens of onsen throughout the prefecture
- Bring your One Piece fan love to life by visiting the statues of all 10 Straw Hat Pirate crew members
Visit downtown’s iconic Kumamoto Castle
One Piece fan tourism
Take this day trip to an active volcano
Book a tour to Mt. Aso and more
Rent a car for your Mt. Aso day trip
We rented a car in Kumamoto that morning and returned it that night. Renting a car made our day trip much more fun:
- Easier to explore the crater area at our own pace
- Museum, cafe, gift shop, observation decks, and outdoor trails are centered in one main area
- Easier to drive uphill parking lot at the crater rim overlook area
- When driving, have cash on hand for the entrance fees to the crater rim overlook area
- Free stamp inside crater rim visitor center
- Head to the overlooks and enjoy looking into an active volcano!
Kumamoto travel videos
Our experiences and where to go in and around Kumamoto
Places to stay in Kumamoto Prefecture
Choose from these 2 main parts of town
Where to stay in Kumamoto City
Places to stay in Aso and Kumamoto Prefecture
Book Kumamoto Castle tours, activities, and more
More of our family’s experiences in Kumamoto
Kumamoto Castle
Renting a car in Japan
Trying treats
One Piece statues
Takachiho Gorge
US$3 Mt. Aso souvenir
Sweet potato machine
Beppu onsen
Kumamoto!
US$89 apartment
Mt. Aso volcano
Hi!
Japan eSIMs for mobile data abroad
Japan eSIMs
Our family has used it on multiple 1-3 month trips to Japan