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Kumamoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

icon 6 hours Mobile ticket Free Cancellation
Tickets from € 137.11

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November 2024
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This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kumamoto! Kumamoto, located on Kyushu island in southern Japan, strikes a perfect balance between a bustling city fringed by tranquil countryside. The center of the city features its greatest landmark, Kumamoto-jo castle, but a tempting collection of restaurants, bars and shops can also be found nearby. Let us know what you would like to experience, and your guide will arrange a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history. Note*3: This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.
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  • Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kumamoto city
  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
  • Private transportation
  • This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered

This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

Traveler pickup
  • Kumamoto Station, 3-chōme-15-1 Kasuga, Nishi Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0047, Japan
  • 1-chōme-1 Shinminato, Nishi Ward, 熊本市 熊本県 861-5274, Japan
  • Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Kumamoto Castle (熊本城, Kumamotojō) is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. With large castle grounds and a variety of buildings, Kumamoto Castle offers its visitors one of the most complete castle experiences in Japan. Only a few structures have survived the centuries since the castle's construction in 1607 intact. The castle keep and most other buildings are modern reconstructions, but the reconstructions are mostly of a high quality and new buildings are continually being added. With about 800 cherry trees, the castle becomes a popular cherry blossom spot usually in late March and early April.
    60 minutes
  • Suizenji Jojuen Garden, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Suizenji Garden (水前寺成趣園, Suizenji Jōjuen) is a spacious, Japanese style landscape garden in Kumamoto, best enjoyed by strolling along a circular path. It was built by the Hosokawa family in the 17th century. The garden reproduces the 53 post stations of the Tokaido, the important road, which connected Edo with Kyoto during the Edo Period, in miniature form, including a small Mt. Fuji.
    60 minutes
  • Former Hosokawa Mansion, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    The Former Hosokawa Residence (旧細川刑部邸, Kyū Hosokawa Gyōbutei) is the former residence of a branch family of the Hosokawa Clan, the powerful clan that ruled over Kumamoto during the Edo Period. The building is a great example of a high-class samurai mansion. After the end of the feudal era, Gyobutei was moved to a different location in 1873, but was re-located to Kumamoto Castle Park and beautifully restored in the 1990s. It is now open to the public and displays the typical design of a highly ranked samurai's residence of the Edo Period.
    60 minutes
  • Lafcadio Hearn House, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), known in Japan under his Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, was among the first Western authors to write books about Japan. His most famous works include "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" and "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things". Hearn immigrated to Japan in 1890 and spent the rest of his life there. After spending a year in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Hearn resided several years of his life (1891 to 1894) in Kumamoto City. Today, his former Kumamoto residence (小泉八雲熊本旧居, Koizumi Yakumo Kumamoto Kyūkyo) is open to the public and contains a small museum about the author.
    60 minutes
  • Sakuranobaba Josaien Tourist Information Center, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Josaien is a tourist establishment that houses the specialty dishes and souvenirs of Kumamoto. At Josaien, you can try specialties that are unique to the region, such as the Salad Chikuwa (deep-fried fish cake with salad inside) and the Ikinari Dango (sweet potato and bean paste wrapped in dough). The Tourist Information Center offers pamphlets and local maps in English, Chinese, and Korean, as well as coin lockers that you can use for free.
    60 minutes
  • Shimotori Shotengai, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Shimotori Arcade is the largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto Prefecture, measuring 511 m in length and 15 m in width. Visited by more than 50,000 people each day, it is a place that is lined with department stores, boutiques, and eating and drinking establishments. It is also often used as a venue for performances by street musicians and exhibits by various groups. There are many izakaya (Japanese pubs) and bars here that are open until late at night, so it is also famous as a nighttime entertainment district.
    60 minutes
  • Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto (CAMK) is a museum that mainly exhibits contemporary art. At the museum, you can appreciate works integrated with the actual building at various spots inside the hall, including James Turrell's light canopy and Marina Abramovic's bookshelves that come with a bed. The museum is attached to the Home Gallery, where you can browse art books and manga (Japanese comics), as well as a Kids Salon where families can enjoy picture books and picture story shows. There are also planned exhibitions that give a glimpse into the art culture of Kumamoto.
    60 minutes
  • Hanaokayama Park, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Hanaokayama is a hill which offers you great views over the city and it is particularly pretty if you trek here in the evening when you can catch the twinkling lights over the city. If the weather is good then you can even see as far as Mount Aso, steaming away behind Kumamoto. It takes around 15 minutes to trek to the summit of the hill, or you can also travel there by car, but it is more than worth the effort to get to the top as you can also check out a small hillside temple which is topped with a shrine gate known as a torii in Japanese.
    60 minutes
  • Soseki Natsume Uchitsuboi Old House, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    Soseki Memorial Hall is dedicated to Natsume Soseki who was a writer who would have lived during the Meiji period and who died in 1916. The memorial hqll is based in his former home which dates from the 1870s and this also used to be an English school. One of the main reasons to come here is to check out the period architecture as well as the ornate Japanese garden that surrounds the building. From the house you can also walk to the serene Tsuboi-gawa River.
    60 minutes
  • Kumamoto Prefectual Traditional Crafts Center, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    If you want to check out some arts and crafts while you are in Kyushu then the Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centre is one of the best places to do it. Here you will find a huge number of different crafts pieces such as ceramics, glass ware and wood carvings, and there are even ornate Yamaga lanterns on display. One of the great things about the center is that you can also buy many of the pieces on display here which make excellent souvenirs or gifts.
    60 minutes
  • Shimada Museum of Arts, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
    The Shimada Museum of Art is one of the smaller museums in Kumamoto but it is well worth a visit if you are in the area. Here you will find a number of galleries which are dedicated to items such as calligraphy pieces and scrolls which were painted by Miyamoto Musashi who was an artist and a famous samurai warrior who would have lived in Kumamoto in the 16th century. The museum also has a number of galleries dedicated to the work of contemporary artists from the region so art lovers should make sure not to miss this off the itinerary.
    60 minutes
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot. No Private Vehicle is included.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Thomas J
17 Jun 2023
I booked this tour as I am very interested in the History of Japan and it seemed like a great way to experience Kumamoto. My guide Mieko was great, we met just outside the hotel I was staying at and then proceeded to visit various Shinto shrines, taking a lot of pictures along the way. Around noon, we went to eat very tasty lava grilled Aka-Ushi (brown cow) and Horse meat, which we got near Kumamoto castle. We finally visited Kumamoto castle which was the tour’s high point for history. Mieko explained everything in detail and it was very interesting to hear about the turbulent history of the Satsuma rebellion and how Kumamoto castle was burned down during a siege by those forces. I think it was a great experience and would recommend it to everyone, especially if you are not able to read or speak Japanese well
7elliots
14 May 2023
I got to explore Kumamoto with Mieko. She is a very knowledgeable and fun individual. During the tour we had a nice time discussing many topics and exploring historic sites such as Kumamoto Castle , Suizenji, old town and Koizumi Yakumo former residence. The experience was enjoyable and included a brief stop to taste some delicious Kumamoto Nihon-shu. Thanks for a great day in Kumamoto Mieko!
martinlaflamme2
29 Apr 2023
My day - guided tour in Kumamoto was extremely good. My guide Mieko was very pleasant, very well organized and explained all the items of the tour in very great details. We covered the Suizenji Jojuen Garden, ate at a great local family traditional Japanese restaurant and finally concluded the day with Kumamoto Castle. Mieko was very knowledgeable and I recommend her and this tour of a day to see the most meaningful things of Kumamoto and its history.
This tour in Japan is organized by Japan Guide Agency

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