Kumamoto Hotels

Kumamoto is located on the island of Kyushu in Japan and is most famous for the beautiful Kumamoto Castle. If you happen to visit during the cherry blossom season, you will find the grounds to be filled with hundreds of these stunning blossoms. The castle is a must-see attraction at any time of year and is considered by many to be the heart of Kumamoto. Honmyo-ji Temple is one of Kumamoto’s most famous temples and offers magnificent views of the towering Kumamoto Castle. During daylight hours, you will also be greeted with views of Mount Aso, and if you are lucky enough to visit at the end of March, you can enjoy the live music of the Nighttime Cherry Blossom Festival.

Lake Ezu and the Suizenji Gardens are also popular attractions in Kumamoto. The Suizenji Gardens is considered to be one of the best in Japan with its lush trees and picturesque small hills. Hosokawa Gyobutei is another place to witness Kumamoto’s natural beauty. This attraction is the family home of the Hosokawa family. Whilst you will not be invited for dinner at this famous house, you can enjoy a traditional Japanese meal at one of Kumamoto’s many family-run restaurants.

When To Go

The weather in Kumamoto varies from being hot in July and August to being windy and cold in January and February. If you visit Kumamoto in either spring or fall, you will find the weather to be moderate. This means that you will not need a heavy coat but rather a light jacket. Winter begins to arrive in late November. During this time, you will require a winter coat and thick clothing. Heavy snow is rare in Kumamoto. Kumamoto’s annual precipitation is around 16 centimetres (6 inches).

• Spring (mid-March to mid-June) 4-28°C (39-82°F)

• Summer (mid-June to mid-September) 19-33°C (66-91°F)

• Fall (mid-September to mid-December) 2-29°C (36-85°F)

• Winter (mid-December through mid-March) 0-15°C (32-59°F)

Getting There

Visitors to Kumamoto can reach the region on direct flights to Aso Kumamoto Airport. An abundance of shops and dining establishments can be found at this airport, and you can even buy your traditional Japanese souvenirs here whilst waiting for your flight home. From the airport, you can reach your accommodations by shuttle bus, which takes one hour to reach the town centre and costs ¥670. There are also car rentals and taxis.

Kumamoto can also be accessed via the Fukuoka Airport, where you can take the highway express bus service Hinokuni-go to Kumamoto for ¥2,000. The trip will take around two hours. Alternatively, it is possible to take the subway from the airport to Hakata Station. The subway line you will take is the JR Kagoshima Line.

• By air: Aso Kumamoto Airport, Fukuoka Airport

• By land: Bus and subway services available

• Car rentals, taxis available

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