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102 Available Tour Excursions in Kumamoto Prefecture
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking 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 four-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.
Price: $110.12
Duration: 4 hours
Hop in for an unforgettable adventure from Fukuoka to Kumamoto! This private deluxe tour is all about freedom, fun and discovery. Cruise through the countryside with your personal guide, your music on the speakers, and the freedom to stop anytime for photos or hidden gems. Feel the thrill at Mount Aso, Japan’s most active volcano, and strike a pose with all 10 One Piece statues scattered across the region — a perfect mix of pop culture and epic views. Take a peaceful moment at a local shrine, then wrap up your day with a steaming bowl of Kumamoto’s famous ramen at a legendary flagship shop. Whether you’re a nature lover, anime fan, foodie, or just want a unique road trip in Japan, this tour has something for everyone — and it's all on your terms.
Price: $200.22
Duration: 8-9 hours
This private tour starts off with you and your English-speaking guide heading to the highest point of the north caldera wall. Here we enjoy the jaw-dropping sight of the five peaks of Mt. Aso and the huge volcanic caldera. After getting a feel for the landscape of Aso we head to one of the small communities that exist in the vicinity of this huge volcano. Here we will explore the true Japanese countryside and meet some of the locals who live here. With their help, we will learn about life and culture in rural Japan, harvest vegetables, cook food, and enjoy a lunch together made from locally sourced ingredients! A true hands-on Japanese farm-to-table experience! This is a half-day tour that gives you the best of two worlds! The amazing scenery of Japan's largest active volcano, but also interaction with local culture! Come and enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes and heartwarming hospitality that Japan has to offer!
Price: $160.18
Duration: 0-0 hours
This tour is a delightful 3-hour journey through Kumamoto Castle Town, guided by a local expert well-versed in the history and culture of Japan and Kumamoto. While strolling through streets rich in history and tradition, we will visit shops dedicated to preserving historical heritage for future generations. This tour offers enjoyable interactions with the guide while experiencing the culture of the castle town, enjoying food, drinks, and conversations. The itinerary includes visits to organic food shops, Japanese sweets stores, and coffee shops. In the "Shinmachi" area, we will explore Nagasaki Jiro Shoten, Japan's second oldest bakery (the oldest in Kumamoto), and Yoshida Shouka-do, located along the historic Satsuma Road. Additionally, we will shop at Muroya, a traditional Japanese toy wholesaler, and Fukushiro-ya, a Japanese-style sake shop and bar. ※After booking, the guide can adjust the tour's start time as much as possible.
Price: $100.11
Duration: 3 hours
This program offers a unique opportunity to visit the guide's home and deeply experience Japanese culture through calligraphy and tea ceremony. The guide is a qualified instructor with extensive experience in calligraphy, tea ceremony, and flower arrangement. In a small group setting, you will receive personalized and attentive instruction, allowing you to learn and enjoy traditional Japanese arts in a relaxed atmosphere. During the calligraphy session, you can create your own artwork to take home. Following this, enjoy matcha tea and sweets in the "BONTEMAE" style, seated at a table. Visiting a Japanese home provides a private and intimate space to connect, relax, and experience a serene moment of cultural exchange and healing for both mind and body.
Price: $153.51
Duration: 3 hours
We took a leisurely stroll through the village of Teno, which has a nostalgic, original Japanese landscape. After visiting Kokuzo Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Kumamoto Prefecture and known as a power spot, you will be amazed at the size of the natural monument, the "Great Cedar of Teno. Then we will have a delicious lunch with a farmer. You never knew vegetables could taste so good! The farmers' food and smiles are truly a healing experience.
Price: $120.13
Duration: 4 hours
"Experience Aso's Breathtaking Views with TREK E-Bikes" Visit Sharinkan Specialist Store at the Sorayoka Area of Aso Kumamoto Airport, where you can rent TREK Marlin+ 6 e-bikes to explore Aso's magnificent landscapes. These high-performance e-bikes can travel up to 67km on a single charge, making cycling effortless even for beginners. We provide helmets and insurance coverage, along with expert guidance on the best routes based on weather conditions and your experience level. Starting from the airport, discover unique perspectives of Aso's volcanic scenery, grasslands, and hot spring towns that you can't experience by car. For reservations, visit Sharinkan TREK Store.
Price: $100.11
Duration: 24 hours
What sets this tour apart is the chance to experience Kumamoto’s vibrant nightlife and rich food culture like a local. With a knowledgeable guide by your side, you’ll navigate the lively backstreets of Shimotori, exploring authentic izakayas, hidden ramen shops, and specialty spots serving local favorites like basashi, karashi renkon, and a wide variety of regional shochu. Unlike typical food tours, this experience combines cultural insight, culinary discovery, and the warm hospitality Kumamoto is known for. With 1,000 yen included for food and drinks at each stop, it’s the perfect way to eat, drink, and connect with the true spirit of Kumamoto.
Price: $140.16
Duration: 2 hours
Women will change into plain white wedding kimonos and colorful uchikake kimonos. A professional hairdresser will style your hair in a traditional Japanese hairstyle and apply makeup to match the Japanese hairstyle. Japanese hairstyles are a rare experience. Specialized staff will assist you in dressing. Men will wear crested hakama, the most formal kimono. Enjoy a moment filled with various aspects of Japanese culture. An accompanying photographer will take photos at Suizenji Jojuen Garden, which boasts a 400-year history.
Price: $2,349.30
Duration: 6 hours
Step into the history of Kumamoto on this guided tour centered around Kumamoto Castle and its surrounding landmarks. Explore one of Japan’s most celebrated castles, known for its impressive stone walls and resilience following the 2016 earthquake. Learn about the ongoing restoration and the castle’s lasting significance to the region. Visit nearby Kato Shrine, dedicated to Kato Kiyomasa, the feudal lord who built the castle in the early 17th century. From the shrine grounds, enjoy views of the castle while discovering the samurai legacy that shaped Kumamoto. With a knowledgeable local guide, uncover the stories behind the fortress’s design and cultural heritage. Choose from flexible options: meet in Kumamoto, enjoy a round-trip from Hakata Station, or start in Hakata and finish in Kumamoto—an accessible way to experience Japan’s samurai past.
Price: $86.43
Duration: 3 hours
This is a three-day program to learn about the origins of the Aso Caldera and feel the awe of nature of the people living in the caldera. You will be able to fully enjoy the natural attractions of the Aso Caldera, which is recognized as Aso-Kujyu National Park and a Global UNESCO Geopark. We will also introduce you to the unique volcanic beliefs nurtured in Aso, the skills of the artisans, the lifestyle of the farmers, and other attractions of Aso that only a few people know about.
Price: $1,201.35
Duration: 72 hours
This experience offers a rare opportunity to participate in a private, formal-style Japanese tea gathering conducted in a quiet, traditional tea room. Unlike crowded tea ceremonies, this intimate setting allows guests to fully engage with the host, the space, and the subtle flow of the Way of Tea. Guided by the principle of ichiza konryū—creating one harmonious moment together—the gathering emphasizes mindfulness, seasonal beauty, and respectful interaction. Every element, from the garden purification ritual to the shared bowl of thick tea, is carefully arranged to create a calm, immersive experience that reflects the depth of Japanese tea culture. This is not a performance, but a shared, living tradition—ideal for travelers seeking authenticity, tranquility, and meaningful cultural connection.
Price: $46.72
Duration: 2 hours
Explore the 400-year-old tradition of Kuma Shochu, a rice-based distilled spirit recognized as a Geographical Indication, during a guided walking tour through Hitoyoshi. Visit historic and modern distilleries, meet master distillers, and enjoy tastings of this cultural symbol that blends nature, craftsmanship, and Japanese tradition. Kuma Shochu: Japan’s Hidden Gem of Rice Distillation Kuma Shochu is a rice-based distilled spirit that has been produced in this region for over 400 years. Recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI), it is crafted using traditional techniques passed down for generations, drawing pure water from the Kuma River. Deeply tied to the region's identity, Kuma Shochu represents the harmony of nature, craftsmanship, and culture. Today, local distilleries are working to share this heritage globally while preserving its artisanal roots, making it a symbol of Japanese tradition with international appeal.
Price: $100.11
Duration: 3-4 hours
This is a unique chance to experience life in rural Japan through a local's eyes. Access areas and meet people that would be impossible without the presence of the guide. Enjoy unique interaction while delving into true Japanese forestry culture. Be mesmerized by the beautiful and unique landscape, born through a long history of living in symbiosis with the mountains and planting cedar trees. All while having your own private guide who is knowledgable and can explain the history of not only the area but the Japanese forestry. But more than anything, this tour aims to be about interaction with locals. As a guide, I wish the meeting between visitors and locals to feel like me introducing friends to each other. The area around Mt. Aso is one of Japan's best-hidden treasures and this is your shortcut to experiencing it. True Japanese culture, food, hospitality, and much much more. Take a chance, step off the beaten track, and come join us for an amazing time in Aso!
Price: $180.20
Duration: 6 hours
First, choose your favorite kimono from 150 kimonos. We will help you choose as well. Next, choose tabi socks and a Japanese-patterned drawstring purse. Please change into tabi socks. Next is finally dressing. Our professional staff will carefully dress you in about 10 minutes. Hair accessories can also be rented as an optional service. There is no limit to the number of hair ornaments you can use, so please use as many as you like. There will be a you you don't know in the mirror. I will take a photo before leaving the store. Photos taken using swords and Japanese umbrellas will be printed out and presented as gifts. Please return to the store by 5:00 pm. As an optional service, you can return kimonos worn at the Josaien store to the Suizenji store.
Price: $36.71
Duration: 2 hours
Guided tour by electric bicycle through the spectacular scenery of Amakusa Treasure Island in Unzen Amakusa National Park Do you know e-bike? E-bike riding tours are a popular activity both in Japan and overseas. It is a vehicle that allows you to enjoy nature and culture in a sustainable and wellness way. The electric assist helps your leg strength, so you can easily climb steep slopes and long slopes. Therefore, people who are not confident in their physical strength or women can enjoy a scenic drive that can be reached by bicycle without overdoing it. We have developed a new point and created a new tour here in Amakusa Takarajima. A sense of accomplishment in transportation that cannot be obtained by car. You can directly feel the atmosphere of nature. Enjoy a new Amakusa sightseeing while moving on your own feet on an E-bike.
Price: $66.74
Duration: 2 hours
Embark on a journey to Kumamoto, where the unrivaled swordsman Miyamoto Musashi spent his later years, and visit places associated with him. Begin with a tour around the Shimada Museum where several items related to this famous swordsman, such as his swords and portraits, are on display. Afterwards, visit Nishi-no-Musashizuka, said to be one of the possible burial sites of Miyamoto Musashi. The last stop of the tour is Reigando, the cave where Miyamoto Musashi retreated and wrote about swordsmanship and martial arts in general in The Book of Five Rings, to spend some time meditating and think about what the famed swordsman's twilight years must have been like.
Price: $373.75
Duration: 4 hours
This one-day tour takes you from the bustling streets of Kumamoto City to the majestic heights of Mount Aso, the serene Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, and the breathtaking Takachiho Gorge. The first stop is Mount Aso, one of the world's largest volcanoes, where you can see the active, intense white smoke and dynamic scenery. For lunch during the tour, you can enjoy local Aka beef. Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, known for being the setting of a popular manga comic, is a mysterious place that has long been preserved in unspoiled natural surroundings. The last stop is Takachiho Gorge, where you can detoxify your mind and body in the mysterious scenery created by the abundant nature. This tour will be able to experience Japan's wonderful traditions and aggressive nature all at once, making it an one of unforgettable memory. If you wish, it's also possible to participate in these tours as a day trip by Shinkansen!
Price: $440.49
Duration: 10 hours
Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: JPY
- Languages: Japanese, English (commonly spoken by tourists)
- Climate: Humid subtropical
- Timezone: Asia/Tokyo
- Population: Approximately 1.74 million people
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is spring and autumn for comfortable weather and scenic beauty.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from many countries, including the US, EU, and UK, can enter Japan visa-free for short stays up to 90 days for tourism. Others may require a visa obtained in advance through Japanese consulates. Japan does not generally offer visa on arrival but has e-visa options for certain nationalities. Travelers must have a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and sufficient funds.
About Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture, located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, offers a rich blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture. It is renowned for Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s most impressive and historically significant castles, symbolizing resilience and architectural brilliance. The region’s lush landscapes include the active volcano Mount Aso, which boasts one of the world’s largest calderas and provides spectacular hiking and sightseeing opportunities. Kumamoto’s appeal lies in its balance of urban amenities and access to tranquil countryside, traditional hot springs, and rural villages. Visitors can immerse themselves in authentic Japanese culture through local festivals, historic sites, and culinary delights unique to the area. The prefecture’s warm hospitality and less crowded tourist spots make it an inviting destination for travelers seeking both adventure and cultural enrichment.
Kumamoto Prefecture Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Japan
- Duration Range: 2 to 10 hours
- Group Size: Flexible group sizes
- Difficulty Level: All Comfort Levels
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is spring and autumn for comfortable weather and scenic beauty. Pack layers for variable temperatures and rain gear for occasional showers. Respect local customs such as removing shoes indoors and quiet public behavior. Carry cash as some places may not accept cards. Safety is high, but always be mindful of natural hazards near volcanic areas. Learn basic Japanese greetings to enhance interactions.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $50
Highest Price Tour: $250
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Top Attractions
1. Kumamoto Castle – A majestic historic fortress known for its imposing stone walls, beautiful grounds, and rich samurai history. 2. Mount Aso – An active volcano with hiking trails, panoramic views, and a unique volcanic landscape. 3. Suizenji Jojuen Garden – A traditional Japanese garden featuring a miniature replica of Mount Fuji and serene ponds. 4. Shimada Museum of Arts – Showcases local art and cultural artifacts from Kumamoto and Kyushu. 5. Reigando Cave – Famous as the meditation site of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
Popular Activities
Hiking and trekking around Mount Aso and the surrounding caldera offer breathtaking natural experiences. Visitors can enjoy hot spring baths (onsen) in areas like Kurokawa Onsen. Cultural activities include visiting historic castles, participating in seasonal festivals, and exploring traditional crafts. River rafting and cycling are popular for adventure seekers. Food tours and sake tasting provide insight into local culinary traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Kumamoto’s cuisine is known for its rich flavors and local specialties such as basashi (horse meat sashimi), Kumamoto ramen with a rich garlic-infused broth, and karashi renkon (lotus root stuffed with spicy mustard). Fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables are staples. Dining customs emphasize presentation and seasonal ingredients. Noteworthy restaurants include Ajisen Ramen for local ramen and Sakuranbo for traditional Kumamoto dishes.
Getting Around
Kumamoto is accessible by air via Kumamoto Airport, with domestic flights connecting major Japanese cities. The Shinkansen (bullet train) links Kumamoto to Fukuoka and other parts of Kyushu. Local transportation includes buses, trams, and taxis within the city. For exploring rural areas, renting a car is advisable. Public transport is affordable and efficient, but some remote attractions require private transport.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is spring and autumn for comfortable weather and scenic beauty. Pack layers for variable temperatures and rain gear for occasional showers. Respect local customs such as removing shoes indoors and quiet public behavior. Carry cash as some places may not accept cards. Safety is high, but always be mindful of natural hazards near volcanic areas. Learn basic Japanese greetings to enhance interactions.
Culture & Customs
Kumamoto’s culture is deeply rooted in samurai history and traditional arts. Social etiquette includes polite bowing, punctuality, and modest dress. Festivals like the Kumamoto Castle Festival celebrate local heritage with parades and performances. Gift-giving and respectful communication are important. Visitors should avoid loud conversations in public transport and always show respect at religious sites.
About The Author
Calvin has loved travel and adventure since first visiting Los Angeles with a suitcase in 1992 at the age of 20. He ditched the suitcase and got a backpack pretty fast.
He hates leaving after any trip and has to console himself by writing and sharing articles on it. You can find and connect with him on linked in here.
Likes
Travel, Gaming, Scuba Diving, Skiing and anything to do with water.
Dislikes
Exact luggage sizing police and being tired in an airport and many more..