Kumamoto and Aso, Japan: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The capital of the prefecture of the same name, in central-west Kyushu, Kumamoto is one of the stops on the shinkansen between Fukuoka and Kagoshima. The city grew up around the castle built by Kato Kiyomasa in the early 17th century, one of the largest in the country, with curved stone walls and black towers. The 2016 earthquakes damaged walls and towers; the main keep has been restored, and the rest of the complex is still under reconstruction, which visitors can observe from an elevated walkway.

The city is known for its water: the supply comes almost entirely from underground springs that originate in Aso. In Suizenji Garden, created by the Hosokawa lords, this clear water forms the pond around a small hill that resembles Mount Fuji. At the table, Kumamoto’s specialties include ramen with garlic oil, lotus root stuffed with mustard, and raw horse meat, a regional traditional dish.

About 50 km to the east, Mount Aso has one of the world’s largest calderas, measuring about 25 km from north to south; inside are towns, rice paddies and pastures, and at the center are five peaks, including Nakadake, an active volcano. The Kusasenri grasslands, the Daikanbo viewpoint on the northern rim, and the historic Aso Shrine are the main sights.

The Nakadake crater is only open to visitors when the volcanic alert level allows, and it is often closed for long periods; check before you go. The Yamanami Road links the Aso area to Yufuin and Beppu, and many travelers cross Kyushu along it.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Kumamoto, Aso.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Kumamoto and Aso is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Kumamoto and Aso

✈ Aeroporto de Kumamoto (KMJ), in Mashiki · 17 km to Kumamoto

The Kyushu shinkansen links Hakata in Fukuoka to Kumamoto in a little over 30 minutes. Kumamoto Airport is about 17 km from the city center and about 37 km from Aso. From Kumamoto to Aso, the Hohi Line express train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes; there are also long-distance buses.

Suggested arrival point: Kumamoto

Kumamoto · Kumamoto and Aso Capital Suggested arrival point

Kumamoto

Kumamoto is the capital of the eponymous prefecture, in central Kyushu, on the shinkansen line. It has Kato Kiyomasa’s castle, under reconstruction after the 2016 earthquakes and visited via elevated walkways, the Suizenji Garden fed by spring water, and the Shimotori and Kamitori shopping arcades. It is the gateway to the Aso caldera.

Kumamoto · Kumamoto and Aso

Aso

Aso is the town on the northern inner floor of Mount Aso’s caldera, surrounded by rice paddies, pastures and mountain walls. It has the train station, Aso Shrine, one of Kyushu’s oldest, and the hot springs of Uchinomaki. From there you can go up to the Kusasenri grasslands toward the five peaks, and to the Daikanbo viewpoint on the caldera’s northern rim.

The local experience

Things to do in Kumamoto and Aso

Kumamoto · Kumamoto · Castle

Kumamoto Castle

One of Japan’s largest castles, with curved stone walls and black towers; damaged in the 2016 earthquakes, its main keep has been restored and is visited by elevated walkways over the reconstruction.

Aso · Kumamoto · Natural scenery

Kusasenri

A grass plain in an old crater at about 1,100 meters, with ponds, horses and the Aso Volcano Museum in front; from there you can see Nakadake emitting smoke.

Aso · Kumamoto · Lookout

Daikanbō

The highest point on the north rim of Aso caldera, at 936 meters, with views of the five peaks, the plain and the pastures; on cold mornings the caldera often fills with mist.

Kumamoto · Kumamoto · Garden

Suizenji Garden (Suizenji Jōju-en)

A strolling garden of the Hosokawa lords, created in the 17th century around a spring-fed pond, featuring a Mount Fuji–shaped hill, a shrine and a tea house brought from Kyoto.

See 1 more place in Kumamoto and Aso

Aso · Kumamoto · Shrine

Aso Shrine

A Shinto shrine dedicated to the volcano’s deities, one of the oldest in Kyushu, with a two-storied torii gate rebuilt after the 2016 earthquake and a row of springs in front.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

March to May and October to November are the months with the most pleasant temperatures. From April to June, Aso’s fields turn green after the annual grass burn; in October and November the grass turns golden, and mist often fills the caldera on cold mornings. Heavy rains are concentrated in June and July, and typhoons occur between August and October.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days: one for the castle and Suizenji, another for the Aso caldera. With three days, spend a night in Aso at a hot-spring inn to see the morning mist at Daikanbo and follow the Yamanami Road to Yufuin or Takachiho.

Which city to stay in

In Kumamoto, the station area has hotels with shinkansen access; the city center, between the Shimotori and Kamitori shopping arcades, is close to the castle and restaurants and is linked to the station by tram. In Aso, there are hot-spring inns in Uchinomaki and around Aso Station, and rural lodgings on the southern caldera rim in Minamiaso.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Kumamoto and Aso

Can you see Mount Aso’s crater?

Only when the volcano’s alert level allows it. Access to Nakadake’s crater is frequently restricted and sometimes closed for months. Check the level with the Japan Meteorological Agency and local information before you go. Kusasenri, the volcano museum and Daikanbo are often outside the restricted area.

Can you visit Aso as a day trip from Kumamoto?

Yes, with a train to Aso Station and a bus to Kusasenri, but timetables are sparse. With one night in Aso you can see Daikanbo at dawn and visit the shrine at a relaxed pace.

Do I need a car in the Aso area?

It helps a lot, because attractions are spread across the caldera and the Yamanami Road is one of the region’s scenic drives. Without a car, use the train to Aso Station, the buses to Kusasenri and Daikanbo, which have few services, or taxis.

Is Kumamoto Castle open after the earthquake?

The main keep has been restored and is open to visitors, with a museum and observation deck. Parts of the walls and towers are still under repair and can be seen from an elevated walkway. Check at the ticket office what is open on the day.

Does Kumamoto go well with Takachiho and Beppu?

Yes. Takachiho is about a 3-hour bus ride from Kumamoto, and the Aso area lies on the route. From Aso, the Yamanami Road continues to Yufuin and Beppu, crossing Kyushu toward the east.

Beyond the guide

Kumamoto and Aso

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.