From Wikitravel

Kumamoto (熊本) is the capital of Kumamoto prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.

[edit] Understand

It has a population of about 600,000 and is famous for its large castle, for Lake Ezu and for Suizenji Gardens.

Kumamoto means "origin of the bear", and its nickname is Hi No Kuni (fire country), because of the nearby giant volcano (Mt. Aso).

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Kumamoto has an airport, from which shuttle buses make a one-hour jaunt into the town (¥670).

If arriving at Fukuoka airport, there is a highway express bus service that will bring you to Kumamoto for ¥2000 and takes roughly 2 hours.

[edit] By train

Kumamoto, on the JR Kagoshima Line, is easily accessible from Hakata station in Fukuoka - the terminating stop on the San'yo Shinkansen line. From here, three limited express trains run to Kumamoto every hour: Two Relay Tsubame trains, and one Ariake train. The trains make varying stops, reaching Kumamoto in 75-85 minutes. The one-way charge is ¥3940.

Local trains take 2 1/2 hours to reach Kumamoto (change in Omuta) at a cost of ¥2070.

Travel times from Hakata will be reduced significantly when the last section of the Kyushu Shinkansen becomes fully operational in 2012.

[edit] Get around

Transportation within Kumamoto City and some of its neighboring towns is accomplished through a fairly extensive bus system and a simple two line tram system. City day passes are available that can be used on both the bus system and tram lines.

[edit] By tram

One tram line runs from Kumamoto Station and the other from Kami-Kumamoto Station. They meet near the downtown area and run east to Kengun Machi. One trip costs ¥150.

[edit] By bus

Buses run fairly regularly from stops through Kumamoto City. Kotsu Center, the main bus terminal, is located near the downtown area and is easily reached by taking the tram to the Kotsu Center-mae stop.

[edit][add listing] See

• Kumamoto Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, and the third largest. Though in actuality the real Kumamoto Castle was burned down during the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, the current keep is a concrete reconstruction built during the sixties, though some of the other buildings are the originals, nevertheless, it is a must see attraction which is effectively the heart of the city. A single adult's ticket costs ¥500.
• Lake Ezu
• Suizenji Gardens is a renowned Japanese traditional garden, considered one of the four best in Japan.
• Shiki no Sato Park has its own natural hot springs and animal park.
• Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center exhibits the various traditional crafts for which Kumamoto is well-known. (includes a gift shop)
• Honmyo-ji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kumamoto.

• Hosokawa Gyobutei is another piucturesque place to visit. It's the family home of the Hosokawa Clan (whose descendent Morihiro became Prime Minister of Japan in the 1990s.)

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Kamitori is one of the two most popular and accessible shopping districts inside the city. It houses a wide variety shops and cafes, the rear entrance opens out onto an area where a large number of traditionally Japanese restaurants are situated.
• Shimotori is the other and larger of the two districts, the selection of the shops is very much the same as Kamitori though naturally more comprehensive given the size. Many backstreet shopping areas offshoot from the sides of Shimatori, so if you're looking for something special be sure to remember that.
• Hikari no Mori is a large shopping center. There are many shops including: Kinokuniya, Shinseido, Mujirushi, Starbucks café, and so on. It also contains a large cinema complex with 9 cinema theatres.
• Tsuruya- there are 6 "Tsuruya" department stores in Kumamoto city. They are "The Main building and the East building of Tsuruya", "New-S" and "WINGⅡ", "Comme ca store", "Nextage", and "Brockes Brothers". These buildings are located in "Shimo Tori" or "Kami Tori".
• Kumamoto Hanshin- Kumamoto Hanshin is a big department store and it is located near the "Kumamoto castle" and next to Kumamoto bus terminal. Kumamoto Hanshin sells goods of "Hanshin Tigers" that is a popular Japanese baseball team.
• Rice Terrace is a general shop at Kamitori. It is opened in November. You can buy any cute goods in a low price. There are bags, accessories, glasses and many goods.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are some unique traditional foods in Kumamoto.

• Karashirenkon is the most popular food for visitors. It's rarely found elsewhere in Japan.
• Ikinaridango is a famous sweet. This contains a slice of sweet potato and anko-bean paste. Visitors who come to Kumamoto buy it for a souvenir.
• The Dipper Dan nestled right next to Daiei is a popular ice cream and dessert parlor located in Shimotori. Perhaps not as unique, but appears to be a local favorite.
• Ringo no Ki is a cafe at Shimotori in downtown. You can eat apple pie and some breads. Especially, I want to recommend coffee and tea. The coffee beans are rare and the taste is really good. Moreover, you can drink the tea which tastes and smells apple.
• Basashi is raw horse meat. It tastes just like it sounds.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Timeless is a cafe (not a chain) with an exceptionally nice old style atmosphere, usually playing jazz. It is located on the right when you exit the Kamitori shopping mall. They have an international selection of coffees (though espresso could be added) and some European style cakes that are worth trying.
• Pronto is an Italian-style coffee shop located in (again) Shimotori. Aside from coffee, the selection includes various alcoholic beverages, pizza, and desserts.
• Sinh to is a stylish cafe looking down onto Shimotori street from the 2nd floor.
• Jeff's World Bar is a popular hang out with English speakers.
• The Ginza district comprises many bars and clubs of the western style, it runs parallel to Shimotori, though be warned the area also houses some of the city's seedier attractions.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The New Sky Hotel is one of the very best, in Kumamoto. This is where Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan stay during his visit here.

NA Hotel HOTEL KUMAMOTO NEW SKY 2 HIGASHI-AMIDAJICHO KUMAMOTO, KUMAMOTO, 860 8575 JAPAN

Hotel Reservations: 1 800 993 3563 Hotel Front Desk: 81-96-3542111 Hotel Fax: 81-96-3548973

Check-In Time: 1:00 PM Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM

http://www.anaihghotels.co.jp/eng/index.html

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/hd/kmjja

[edit] Get out

Travelers would probably not want to spend too long in the city, and may prefer to enjoy the wide range of natural surroundings within easy reach of the city.

• Aso highland area, with an immense caldera, numerous hot spring resorts, fine hiking courses, and an active volcano to look down into.
• Amakusa, a chain of islands off the west coast of Kumamoto, and not far from the south coast of Nagasaki (to which ferries run regularly).
• Hitoyoshi which is famous for hot springs. There are many other places to visit too.
• Takamori is also interesting for Yuusui tunnel.
• Yatsushiro is famous for igusa, the material used to make tatami mats.
• Uki is comprised of Matsubase, Misumi, Ogawa, Shiranuhi, and Toyono
• Shiranuhi area is on the west coast.
• Misato is famous with 3333 stone steps, which are the most steps in Japan!
• Siki no Sato Park has hot springs and kangaroos. What more can you ask for?

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!