July

Located in the north of Japan’s Kyushu region, Kumamoto prefecture has a rich culture and plenty of affordable attractions if you’re looking for a day out that all the family can enjoy. From fun outdoor activities to educational experiences, here are a few great destinations if you’re looking to keep kids occupied while having a good time yourself. Kumamoto Castle This beautiful 17th century hilltop castle in the city center is one of Kumamoto’s most notable attractions and one of the best castle experiences in Japan. It only reopened to the public in 2021 after the devastating 2016 earthquake. The impressive size of the structure, abundance of artifacts on display and surrounding hilltop views of the city gives the castle a fairytale-like quality, making it a great place for kids. There are also many family-friendly events throughout the year. Website: https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/en/ Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens Anything involving animals is usually a winner with kids. Fortunately, Kumamoto has a nice little zoo that is located fairly centrally, close to Lake Ezu. It’s actually a zoo plus botanical gardens so you can spend a good few hours here checking out both animals and plants. There are approximately 120 creature species here…