Located near the center of the beautiful Kyushu Island, Kumamoto offers many short trip opportunities for locals who want to get away for the day. From nature reserves to picturesque towns, here’s a selection of some of the best ways to spend a few hours away from the hustle and bustle.
Takachiho
The sleepy town of Takachiho lies within the mountains of northern Kyushu, just across the border in Miyazaki prefecture. It’s best known for the magnificent gorge that flows through part of the town. Formed centuries ago from lava flows from Mount Aso, it’s a tourist favorite where you can take a rowing boat and marvel at sights such as the 17m-high Manai Falls. Elsewhere stands Takachiho Shrine, a Shinto shrine nearly 2,000 years old, set among towering cedar trees. Here you’ll find the ‘couple tree’ – two trees entwined at the roots to become one, which lovers walk around and make wishes. Nearby is a beautiful wooden theater where traditional Yokagura dances are held in the evenings.
Website: https://www.town-takachiho.jp/
Amakusa Islands
Amakusa Islands are around 120 islands off the west coast of Kyushu, with the three main islands – Shimoshima, Ueshima, and Oyano – connected to the mainland and each other by bridge. The islands were one of the first points of Japan reached by Portuguese missionaries in the late 16th century. There remains a historically significant presence and you can see many churches in the towns. In addition to the tranquillity and mountainous scenery, Amakusa is popular for its dolphin-spotting tours, as well as for hiking and fishing. The bridges mean you can easily access the area for a day trip. You can also choose to travel by the elegant black and gold A-train from Kumamoto to Misumi, and then transfer to a ferry to Amakusa.
Website: https://www.t-island.jp.e.aex.hp.transer.com/
Yamaga
A town within Kumamoto prefecture situated about 30km north of the city center and close to the borders of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures, Yamaga is a quaint place offering a diverse range of delights. It has a traditional streetscape, and you can find one of only 17 remaining Kabuki theaters here. Another key tourist attraction is the pretty Lantern Museum, closely associated with the town’s lantern-making tradition. For those wanting to experience outdoor sights, there are several burial mounds (kofun), cave tombs, archaeological ruins, and the nearby Kikuchi Valley. Yamaga and Kikuchi are also known for their onsen (hot springs), if taking a refreshing dip in natural surroundings is your thing.
Website: https://www.city.yamaga.kumamoto.jp/
Fukuoka
The most populous city in Kyushu, Fukuoka is perfect if you fancy something a bit busier and more vibrant from your excursion. It’s something of a metropolis in the region and only around 50 minutes by Shinkansen train from Kumamoto. You can see plenty in a day without rushing or spend the night in a hotel if you want to make a weekend of it. Canal City Hakata and Tenjin mall provide great shopping facilities, or you can head out to Ohori Park or the Fukuoka Castle ruins. If your stay extends into the evening, you can enjoy some delicious yatai street food in the city center.
Website: https://gofukuoka.jp/
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