Outdoor Activities
Get out and about and enjoy a range of outdoor activities in and around Kumamoto Prefecture. From summertime swimming to tree top climbing courses and canoeing between the rice fields, there’s plenty to enjoy!
On the One Piece trail If you are a fan of One Piece; Japan's best selling manga and animation series you need to go on a voyage to discover Kumamoto's collection of One Piece statues scattered across the prefecture. Kumamoto Prefecture has 10 One Piece statues to see. Limited edition ...read on
Shiramizu Falls 白水滝 - Taketa Shiramizu falls in Ogimachi, Taketa is a beautiful waterfall walk only a 30 minute drive from Takamori Town in Aso. It is a little known spot but definitely worth a visit. In the summer it's a perfect place to escape the heat & even though ...read on
Sorafune Pier- そらふねの桟橋 Uchinomaki Sorafune Pier known as Sorafune no sanbashi そらふねの桟橋 is a viewing platform on top of Mt. Tangoyama 田子山. A great photo spot with views looking out over the peaceful farmland of the caldera basin to the smoking central peak of Asozan.Tangoyama , also known as Tagoyama ...read on
Higotai Park ヒゴタイ公園- Ubuyama Set on a grassy plateau at the foot of the Kuju Mountains, surrounded by undulating hills formed from ancient pyroclastic flows, Higotai Park offers panoramic views of both the Kuju Mountains and Mount Aso. The park is around 900m in altitude so it's a good place ...read on
Cosmos コスモス Flower Viewing When you think of autumn in Japan the image that first comes to mind is probably bright red maple leaves not a sea of pink and white flowers. But for many Japanese the cheerful blooms of the Cosmos flower are one of the country's most typical ...read on
Higanbana 彼岸花 Spider Lily viewing After a long, hot summer the arrival of the spider lillies in mid September heralds the beginning of autumn. The tall stalks and dramatic bright red blooms seem to shoot up out of nowhere appearing around paddy fields, embankments and verges. The flowering season is ...read on
Senjokawara - the perfect place to stay cool in the summer Summers in Japan are hot and humid so heading to a river to splash around or take a swim is one of the best ways to cool down and stay sane. Unfortunately, though there are plenty of rivers around ...read on
If you are travelling with kids, particularly older ones, sometimes you have to have a break from the shrines and temples and do something that will make their holiday special. Forest Adventure Misato definately does that, you not only get to experience the beauty of Japan's forests and nature but ...read on
Ideventure - take a thrilling and peaceful ride down the rice farming irrigation canals of Kikuchi. What is it? Ideventure is a great summer activity and it's unique to Kikuchi Town, difficult to describe it is best to simply see it for yourself, take a look: The crazy idea of taking an inflatable kayak down a ...read on
Amakusa Dolphin Watching In the beautiful blue sea between the Shimabara peninsula and the northern point of the Amakusa Shimoshima Island there lives a pod of around 200 wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. Man and dolphin have long lived in harmony in this area, the dolphins are present year round due to the ...read on
Oshitoishi Hill 押戸石- Minami Oguni Oshitoishi has the reputation of a powerspot, a group of mysterious standing stones situated on a hill on the pyroclastic flows above the northern caldera edge of the giant Aso caldera. On top of the grassy hillside there is a mysterious line of rocks. The ...read on
One of the most popular activities to do in Takachiho Gorge is to rent out a rowing boat and experience the gorge from the water. Boats cost 4,000 or 5,000 Yen and seat 3 people or 4 if there is a small child, the boats are rented out for 30 ...read on
The Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens are situated on the eastern edge of the city on the edge of the beautiful Ezu Lake. If you are travelling with children or just need a break from castles and temples the Zoo is sure to keep everyone amused and at only 300 Yen per adult and ...read on
Rent a Bicycle What better way to explore the city and beyond than by renting a bicycle for a day. Kumamoto City is a great place to cycle around with wide pavements and very few slopes. You can reach Suizenji Park or Tatsuda Nature Park from the city center within a leisurely 30 ...read on
Experience the old town of Yamaga in the traditional way with a handpulled rickshaw ride. The 20 minute course costs 1500 Yen per person. Maximum 2 people. Yamaga Rickshaw Rides can be booked up to the day before and take place between 09:00 and 17:00 Rickshaw rides are available all year ...read on
Aso Paragliding How about taking to the air during your Aso trip? Paragliding is a wonderful way to enjoy the panorama of Aso's nature and get some fresh air and adrenaline. The experience is family friendly and can be booked from Elementary School (age 6) and upwards. Though certain weight limits apply. ...read on
The title Mount Aso Volcano is a little misleading as the whole central mountain range within the Aso caldera is comprised of volcanos, fortunately only one is still active. Mt. Nakadake - Mount Aso's active volcano Nakadake long worshipped as a powerful god, the active volcano at the center of ...read on
Upper Ezu Lake is just 30 minutes from the heart of the city and 10 minutes walk from Suizenji Park. It's a wonderful place to just hang out and relax or have a picnic but if you fancy doing something a little more active renting a rowing boat or a character ...read on
Blazing torches light the sky and in the darkness a multitude of flaming reed straw ropes are swung around in an exciting spectacle to welcome the kami of Aso Shrine. The dramatic Hifuri-shinji festival takes place in mid March in the grounds of Aso Shrine. The holy ritual has been designated as one of Japan's ...read on