Suizenji-koen Park
Imitated the beautiful scenery of Japan. It is a refined circular garden of Momoyama period style
and represents the 53 Stations of the Tokaido Road including Mt. Fuji. The fresh springs in the
garden release clean, cold water, which flows there from Mt. Aso via underground currents.
 |
 |
 |
In 1636, Tadatoshi, the third Lord of Hosokawa, began its construction as a tea retreat, and
he also built the temple here for Priest Gentaku called Suizenji.
|
|
|
|
This beautiful Momoyama style garden evolve during the reigns of the fourth and fifth Lords.
In all it took about 80 years to complete.
|
|
|
|
General information
| Address | 8-1 Suizenji-koen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-city |
| Access |
15 minutes by tram from Kumamoto-ekimae to Suizenji-koen-shita then 4 minutes walk from Suizenji-koen-shita station 10 minutes walk from JR Shin-Suizenji-koen-shita |
| Open hours |
7:00 to 18:00 March to October 8:30 to 17:00 November to February |
| Admission fee | JPY 400 |
| Days closed | No closing days |
Shimo-tori Shopping Street
The largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto prefecture. The center of fashion and amusement
where department stores and boutiques line up and also there are gourmet area where cafes
and restaurants including local cousin restaurants opened daytime and night time.
 |
 |
 |
The 511 metre Shopping arcade with 15mtre width; the street is also used as a place for
performances by street musicians and exhibitions of various organizations.
 |
 |
 |
General information
| Address | 2 Shimotori to Tetorihonmachi, Kumamoto-city, Kumamoto-prefecture |
| Access |
A short walk to the street entrance from Toricho-suji Tram station 10 minutes by a vehicle from JR Kumamoto station |
Kumamoto City Tram
The convenient public transportation to travel in the Kumamoto-city. There are two lines
A line and B line. Most of the stops on the A line and B line are the same. Popular stops
that both lines go to include Suizenji-koen Park, Kumamoto Castle, Shimo-tori Shopping
Street and the Kumamoto Kotsu Centre Bus Station.
 |
 |
 |
Main destinations of each line
A line : Tasakibashi, Kumamoto station, Karashimacho, Kumamoto Catle, Toricho-suji,
Kotsukyoku-mae, Suizenji-koen Park, Kengunmachi
B line : Kamikumamoto station, Shinmachi, Nishikarashimacho, Karashimacho, Kumamoto Catle,
Toricho-suji, Kotsukyoku-mae, Suizenji-koen Park, Kengunmachi
|
|
|
|
General information
| Fare | |
| Single use | JPY 170 for Adult, JPY 90 for Child |
| One-day Pass | JPY 500 for Adult, JPY 250 for Child |
Country-wide compatible IC Cards is accepted
Kumamoto Castle
One of the three great castles along with Nagoya Castle and Osaka Castle and one of the
100 best places in Japan to view cherry blossoms. The current castle was built in 1601 by
Kiyomasa Kato, a great commander and took 7 years to complete. The 980,000-square-meter
premises are dotted with many memorable view such as donjons, turrets, turret gates, castle
gates and long fences.
 |
 |
 |
This castle is particularly famous for its beautiful curving stonewall called “Musha-gaeshi, which
were built to defend against invading armies. The stone walls have been designated a National
Historic Site and 12 buildings in addition to the Uto-yagura turret have been designated National
Treasure.
 |
 |
 |
Kumamoto Castle after the Earthquakes, the photos were taken on May 18, 2019.
Suddenly, without any prediction, the series of Earthquakes including magnitude 7.0 main
shock which struck in April 2016 beneath Kumamoto-city. Then severe damages occurred
Kumamoto prefecture including Kumamoto Castle.
 |
 |
 |
Kumamoto Castle sustained damage to its roof and exterior buildings and walls because
of the earthquakes and associated aftershocks. Several of the castle’s shachihoko
ornaments were destroyed, and a large number of kawara tiles also fell from the roof.
Now the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible.
 |
 |
 |
Now, the Kumamoto Castle can be seen from the outside of the moats surrounding the castle.
We will welcome you to our place Kumamoto Castle.
General information
| Address | 1-1 Honmaru Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-city, Kumamoto-prefecture |
| Access |
5 minutes walk from Hanabatake tram station |
| Castle compound | Inside of moat is closed |
Kumamoto Castle after the Earthquakes as of Jan. 13, 2021
Five years have passed since the Earthquakes on April 14, 2016.
Now the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Your equiry can be sent by selecting the Enquiry Form link below.
You can also contact us by e-mail at info@japan-kyushu-tourist.com
And we would love to chat about your travel plans on the phone as well,
please ring our office a call in English Tel : +81-93-521-8897
HOME About us Our Services Terms and Conditions
Sakurano-baba Josaien
Josaien is located in Sakurano-baba, at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s three major
castles. It is a popular tourist attraction designed to enhance the appeal of the old castle town and
convey to visitors the food, history and cultural traditions of the region from Kumamoto Castle,
a symbol of the Kumamoto-city.
 |
 |
 |
Sakuranokoji brings together 23 shops selling specialty items unique to Kumamoto-prefecture.
Restaurants offer an opportunity to enjoy Kumamoto’s distinctive food culture, and many shops
sell Kumamoto souvenirs as well as items found only at Josaien.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
General information
| Address | 8-1 Suizenji-koen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-city |
| Access |
15 minutes by tram from Kumamoto-ekimae to Suizenji-koen-shita then 4 minutes walk from Suizenji-koen-shita station 10 minutes walk from JR Shin-Suizenji-koen-shita |
| Open hours |
9:00 to 19:00 March to November 8:30 to 17:00 December to February |
| Admission fee | No fee is required |
| Days closed | No closing days |