Local Guide
Recommended Autumn Foliage Spots in Kumamoto City

Located in the northwestern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, almost in the center of Kyushu, Kumamoto City is blessed with groundwater, a rarity in the world. Direction from Aso Kumamoto Airport is about 30 minutes by car, and from Hakata Station on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line, it is only about 30 minutes away. Here are some of the best places to visit in Kumamoto City this fall.

Ginkgo Castle" with its magnificent golden ginkgo trees

Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Castle General Office
Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Castle General Office

Kumamoto Castle is located in the center of Kumamoto City. Completed in 1607 by the famous general Kiyomasa Kato, it is one of the three most famous castles in Japan for its scale and grandeur. The castle was damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, but the castle tower was restored in March 2021 (full restoration of the entire castle is scheduled for around 2052).
In the plaza in front of the castle tower, there is a large ginkgo tree that is said to have been planted by Kiyomasa Kato, which is the reason Kumamoto Castle is called "Ginko Castle. Every year, Kumamoto Castle is open to the public at night and illuminated at night when the autumn leaves are at their best. The castle is open to the public at night and lit up at night to provide a fantastic view of Kumamoto Castle that cannot be seen at other times.

Beginning of the changing of the colors】Early November
Best time to see the leaves: Mid-November to early December.
Ginkgo, zelkova, maple, etc.

Kumamoto Castle
  • Address 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes walk from Kumamoto City Tram "Kumamoto Castle/Shiyakusho-mae Station".
  • Direction From JR Kumamoto Station, take the "Shiromegurin" (Kumamoto Castle excursion bus) and get off at "Sakura-no-Baba/Josaien".
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  • Closed December 29 (subject to change)
  • Admission Fee Admission: High school students and older: 800 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen, preschool children: free
  • TEL 096-352-5900 (Kumamoto Castle General Office)
  • Parking Charged

Enjoy walking around historical sites with fantastic colors reflected on the quiet surface of the water

The site of Taishoji Temple, which was built as a family temple of the Hosokawa family, is located 25 minutes by car from JR Kumamoto Station and is now a park where local people can relax and enjoy themselves. On the hillside are the tombs of Fujitaka and his wife, the first generation of the Hosokawa family, and Tadaoki and his wife, Galasha, the second generation, as well as a memorial tower said to belong to Musashi Miyamoto, who was related to the Hosokawa family. Other highlights include the "moss garden," which makes use of naturally growing moss, and the "Koshoken," a restored tea house based on plans left by Tadaoki, who was also a tea master. The water pot in front of the tea house is said to have been used by Sen no Rikyu, Tadaoki's tea master.
When the leaves turn red, the park is brightly colored with maple trees and ginkgo trees. The maple trees around the pond are especially beautiful, and the reflection of the leaves on the calm surface of the water is fantastic. The reflection of the autumn leaves on the surface of the pond is fantastic, and visitors can spend a relaxing time in a calm space.

Beginning of the changing of the colors: Usually in early November.
Best time to visit: Mid-November to late November.
Kind of foliage: Japanese maples, ginkgo, etc.

Tachida Nature Park (Ruins of Taishoji Temple)
  • Address 4-610 Kurogami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 25 minutes by car from JR "Kumamoto" Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR "Kumamoto" Station, get off at "Tachida Shizen Koen Iriguchi" and walk about 10 minutes.
  • Business hours 8:30-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  • Closed December 29 - December 31
  • Admission Fee High school students and older: 200 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen
  • TEL 096-344-6753
  • Parking Free of charge

Enjoy elegant autumn foliage viewing in the Daimyo Garden with its beautiful water.

The garden is a garden with a circular path around it, and is designated as a national place of scenic beauty and a historic site. The garden was built by Tadatoshi Hosokawa, the first lord of the Hosokawa clan of the Kumamoto domain, and completed during the reign of Tsunatoshi Hosokawa, the third lord of the domain. The park is centered around a pond fed by subterranean water from Aso, with a mountain modeled after Mt. Fuji, floating stones modeled after scenes from the Tokaido Highway, pine trees, and lawns, and can be walked around in about 30 minutes.
Within the park is Izumi Shrine, where successive lords of the Hosokawa family are enshrined, and where "longevity water," which is said to bring long life to those who drink it, springs from the ground. Also not to be missed is the thatched-roof "Kokin Denju no Ma" (Room of Ancient and Modern Traditions). The view of the garden from the tatami room is like a painting. The garden is also a good place to take a break during a stroll, as you can enjoy matcha green tea and tea cakes inside. In the fall, the trees in the garden turn red, and visitors can enjoy an elegant foliage viewing experience.

The first changing of the colors usually occurs in mid-November.
Usually from late November to early December.
Kinds of Autumn Foliage】Momiji, Ginkgo, etc.

Suizenji Seishuen (Suizenji Juuen)
  • Address 8-1 Suizenji Koen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 3 min. walk from "Suizenji Koen" station on the Kumamoto City Tram.
  • Business hours 8:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee 16 years old and over: 400 yen, 6-15 years old: 200 yen
  • TEL 096-383-0074
  • Parking None

The statue of Luffy also welcomes you. Row of golden ginkgo trees

A promenade leading from the main gate of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office to the building, with 54 ginkgo trees planted on both sides of the 180-meter promenade, named after the 540,000 goku of the Higo Hosokawa Domain. In the middle of the promenade, a bronze statue of Luffy, the main character of the popular manga "One Piece" welcomes visitors. It was installed in November 2018 to commemorate Kumamoto Prefecture-born author Eiichiro Oda's receipt of the Prefectural Citizens' Honor Award, as a lasting tribute to his achievements as a manga artist and his great support for reconstruction efforts, as well as a symbol of reconstruction. The collaboration of the beautiful ginkgo and ruffians is a must-see only during the autumn foliage season. Rufi standing on the golden carpet looks even more radiant.
Every year in November, the path is lit up at night, creating a romantic atmosphere that is different from that of the daytime. Benches are placed along the roadside, so visitors can stroll around, take photogenic photos, enjoy sketching, and spend their time as they wish.

Beginning of the changing of colors: Usually in early November.
Best time to see the leaves: Usually from mid-November to late November.
Kind of autumn leaves】Ginkgo

Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha
Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha
Kumamoto Prefectural Government Promenade
  • Address 6-18-1 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 18 min. drive from JR Kumamoto Sta.
  • TEL 096-333-2089 (Kumamoto Prefecture Property Management Division)
  • Parking No parking available (please use nearby Parking)
  • Memo Lights up (18:00-21:00 scheduled). Period varies from year to year.

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.