Local Guide
5 recommended sightseeing spots in Kumamoto City that you can enjoy with your children

Kumamoto City is close to nature and the downtown area. As its nickname "Forest City" suggests, even in the city there is a rich green environment. There are also cultural Property such as museums and historical Experience Property, and there are plenty of exhibits and Activity that stimulate children's intellectual curiosity. We will introduce some of the most recommended spots. Experience that will leave a lifelong memory for your children may be waiting for you on this trip.

Have fun learning about Kumamoto's history and nature through a variety of curiosity-piqued exhibits

The impressive Stegodon skeleton is approximately 3.8m tall at the shoulders.
The impressive Stegodon skeleton is approximately 3.8m tall at the shoulders.

A comprehensive museum with the concept of "connecting the memories of Kumamoto to the future." The permanent exhibition on the first floor has a history theme. Through valuable materials, you can trace the changes in the city of Kumamoto from the Paleolithic period, through the era ruled by the Kato and Hosokawa families, to modern times.
The permanent exhibit on the second floor has a nature theme. In addition to displaying the entire skeleton of a stegodon, a relative of an elephant whose fossils were found in the sea off the coast of Kumamoto, the museum also introduces the diversity and charm of the creatures and plants that live in Lake Gozu and Mount Kinpu in Kumamoto City.

Planetarium and classes for children

The planetarium also has sofa-style family seats, so it's safe for families with children.
The planetarium also has sofa-style family seats, so it's safe for families with children.

There is also a planetarium where you can enjoy beautiful starry skies and impressive images. The standard projection is about 55 minutes including commentary, but on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, there is also a family hour for small children that is 10 minutes shorter than usual.
In addition, classes for children such as "Children's Science and Crafts Class" and "Children's Nature Learning Class" are held irregularly, mainly on weekends. In addition, outside there is an exhibition of a steam locomotive 9600 model that was actually in operation. You will lose track of time as you look around the diverse exhibits that stimulate the curiosity of not only children but adults as well.

Comments Local Guide
Materials related to Kumamoto's history, culture, people, and nature are displayed in a fun and easy-to-understand way, and everything is well worth seeing. Children's classes require prior application, but you can participate if there is space on the day.
Kumamoto Museum
  • URLhttps://kumamoto-city-museum.jp
  • 住所3-2 Furukyocho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 5 minutes walk from the tram stop "Sugitama"
  • 営業時間9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
  • 定休日Mondays (open on public holidays, closed the following day), December 29th to January 3rd
  • 入場料Museum admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school and university students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students
    Planetarium viewing fee (separate admission fee required) Adults 200 yen, high school and university students 150 yen, junior high school students and younger 100 yen
    *Free admission for small children and elementary and junior high school students living in Kumamoto City (must bring name tag or student handbook)
  • TEL096-324-3500
  • 駐車場None

A rooftop garden so lush you'll forget you're in the city

There is also a huge white slide and other play equipment, so children can play freely.
There is also a huge white slide and other play equipment, so children can play freely.

Sakuramachi Kumamoto is a commercial Property that houses the Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, the starting point of Kumamoto's bus transportation. In this busy area, you'll find Sakuramachi Garden, a lush garden that you wouldn't expect to find on the roof of a building.

The vast site of approximately 3,000㎡ is made up of a rooftop park where children can play, a rooftop court where events are held, and the Sakuramachi Garden, which is modeled after the garden once built here by Hosokawa, the feudal lord of Kumamoto. Various plants such as plums, weeping cherry trees, Japanese maples, and crape myrtles are planted throughout the site.

You can also meet a giant Kumamon who waves at you every hour.

You can meet a giant Kumamon on the 5th floor Kids Terrace. Use the outside stairs when descending from Sakuramachi Garden.
You can meet a giant Kumamon on the 5th floor Kids Terrace. Use the outside stairs when descending from Sakuramachi Garden.

Each floor of Sakuramachi Kumamoto has a terraced street view terrace. One floor below the rooftop Sakuramachi Garden, the 5th floor Street View Terrace features a kids' terrace and a giant 4m long Kumamon to welcome you. Kumamon waves for 3-4 minutes every hour on the hour between 9am and 9pm. He can be seen waving from outside the building, so many people stop to take in the view.
The rooftop garden also has a pond in the center, which is a popular spot for splashing around in the water in the summer. It also hosts festivals and other events.
This garden is definitely worth visiting, as you can experience seasonal plants from the rooftop of a building and even get a view of Kumamoto Castle.

Comments Local Guide
The third floor of Sakuramachi Kumamoto is equipped with spacious diaper changing and nursing rooms, so it is safe for those with small children.
Sakuramachi Kumamoto Rooftop Garden (Sakuramachi Garden)
  • URLhttps://sakuramachi-kumamoto.jp/garden
  • 住所Sakuramachi Kumamoto Rooftop Floor MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 1 minute walk from the tram stop "Karashimacho"
  • バスアクセスDirectly connected to Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal
  • 営業時間Basement 1st floor 10:00-21:00 (some areas 11:00-22:00), 1st-3rd floors 10:00-22:00, 3rd floor (food and beverage) 11:00-23:00, top floor Street View Terrace 9:00-23:00
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料free
  • TEL096-354-111 (Sakuramachi Kumamoto)
  • 駐車場Paid

A zoo and botanical garden on the shores of Lake Gotsu that parents and children can enjoy

"Yo-yo" the golden snub-nosed monkey, a member of the monkey family with beautiful golden fur
"Yo-yo" the golden snub-nosed monkey, a member of the monkey family with beautiful golden fur

The park is located near the center of Kumamoto City, next to Lake Ezuko, an oasis for the locals. The total area of the park is 24.5 hectares. Approximately 600 animals of 120 species and 50,000 plants of 800 species warmly welcome visitors.
In the animal zone, you can see elephants, giraffes, penguins, and other animals that are popular with children, as well as rare animals such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, the only one in Japan that is kept in captivity. There are many large trees in the park that provide pleasant shade, making it a great place to take a break on the benches.

Interact with seasonal plants and animals

A Ferris wheel with a panoramic view of the park's natural surroundings. 200 yen per person for ages 2 and over.
A Ferris wheel with a panoramic view of the park's natural surroundings. 200 yen per person for ages 2 and over.

At the Animal Interaction Square, you can interact with goats, guinea pigs, and other animals almost every day.
In addition, the adjacent amusement park zone has a variety of playground equipment of all sizes, including a Ferris wheel and a children's train. Most of the playground equipment can be used by people of all ages, so it's great that the whole family can enjoy it.
The flower fields in the park are covered in rape blossoms in spring and cosmos in autumn. You can enjoy a fulfilling time that is unique to a zoo and botanical garden, where you can feel the changing of the seasons.

Comments Local Guide
Strollers are available for rental at the three entrances: the Main Gate, West Gate, and South Gate, and there are nursing rooms and diaper changing stations located throughout the park.
Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens
  • URLhttps://www.ezooko.jp
  • 住所5-14-2 Kengun, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 10 minutes walk from the tram stop "Dobutsuen Iriguchi"
  • 営業時間9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
  • 定休日Mondays (open on the fourth Monday of each month, open on national holidays and closed the following weekday), December 30th to January 1st
  • 入場料Adults and high school students: 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen *Free for infants
  • TEL096-368-4416
  • 駐車場Free * Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are charged (200 yen per vehicle, per visit)

See, hear, touch. An entertainment space for parents and children to enjoy

In the "Easy Museum Cosplay" section, you can try on period costumes and have your photo taken in a booth decorated with gold folding screens.
In the "Easy Museum Cosplay" section, you can try on period costumes and have your photo taken in a booth decorated with gold folding screens.

An entertainment Property located at Sakura-no-Baba Josaien at the foot of Kumamoto Castle. As its name suggests, it is an exciting place to experience the history and culture of Kumamoto Castle by seeing, hearing and touching it.
There are plenty of Experience for parents and children to enjoy, such as skits based on the history of Kumamoto, a stone wall building Experience, and a palanquin Experience (alternate attendance) where you can feel like a feudal lord in a life-size palanquin. In the "Become a samurai: Kumamoto Castle Saruki" you can stroll around the museum, Josaien and Kumamoto Castle in period costumes. Costumes are available in sizes for kids and babies. Why not pretend to be a samurai or a town girl and take a commemorative photo with the castle in the background?

Digging deeper into the charms of Kumamoto Castle from various angles

The exhibition room on the first floor. On the second floor is the "Story Palace" where plays and other performances are held.
The exhibition room on the first floor. On the second floor is the "Story Palace" where plays and other performances are held.

In the corner where you can learn about Kumamoto Castle, a powerful VR (virtual reality) reproduction of the castle from the Edo period to before the Kumamoto earthquake is shown on a large screen. In addition, projection mapping of the damage and restoration of Kumamoto Castle is also held. With realistic projection mapping using sound and images, you can learn about the damage caused to Kumamoto Castle by the Kumamoto earthquake and the image of the restoration, and get a deeper understanding of the current state of Kumamoto Castle. If you visit before touring Kumamoto Castle, your understanding of Kumamoto Castle will deepen and the enjoyment of your tour of the castle will be doubled.

Comments Local Guide
There are plenty of activities that both children and adults can enjoy, such as Experience a ninja, stone wall Experience, and horse Experience.
Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza
  • URLhttps://www.sakuranobaba-johsaien.jp/waku-index
  • 住所1-1-1 Ninomaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 9 minutes walk from the tram stop "Kumamoto Castle/City Hall"
  • バスアクセスTake the Kumamoto Castle sightseeing bus "Shiromeguri" from Kumamoto Station and get off at "Sakura-no-baba Josaien"
  • 営業時間9:00〜17:30（最終入館17:00）
  • 定休日End of the year (please check the website for details)
  • 入場料Admission fee: Adults (high school students and above) 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
  • TEL096-288-5600
  • 駐車場Paid

A bronze statue of the Straw Hat Crew was created as a symbol of reconstruction.

A life-sized bronze statue of Luffy. Many people take commemorative photos in the same pose.
A life-sized bronze statue of Luffy. Many people take commemorative photos in the same pose.

This bronze statue was installed in the promenade leading to the entrance of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office in 2018 as part of the "One Piece Kumamoto Reconstruction Project." It was erected to commemorate Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the manga "One Piece," who is a native of Kumamoto Prefecture, receiving the Prefectural Citizen's Honor Award, and as a symbol of creative reconstruction after the Kumamoto earthquake.
Entering through the main gate of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office, you will find Luffy standing in the middle of a promenade lined with magnificent ginkgo trees, with his right fist raised powerfully. From the moment he stands out, he exudes the aura of a captain. At the foot of the Luffy statue, there is also a handprint of Eiichiro Oda, making this a must-see spot for fans.

Bronze statues scattered throughout the prefecture support the revival of towns

At the Kumamoto Zoological and Botanical Gardens, whose animal enclosures were damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake, there is a statue of Chopper, the ship's doctor.
At the Kumamoto Zoological and Botanical Gardens, whose animal enclosures were damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake, there is a statue of Chopper, the ship's doctor.

In addition to the Luffy statue, from 2019, as part of the Straw Hat Crew "Hino Country" Reconstruction Arc, Straw Hat Crew statues were erected in nine cities and towns in the prefecture over a period of four years. In the same city of Kumamoto, a Chopper statue was erected in the square in front of the main gate of the Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, bringing smiles to the faces of visitors to the zoo.
The Straw Hat Crew has also rushed to other cities and towns, encouraging them to help drive the recovery from the Kumamoto earthquake. You can also check the locations of the statues on the project's website and enjoy touring the One Piece statues.

Comments Local Guide
How about starting with Luffy and touring the bronze statues? Statues of Usopp in Aso, Franky in Takamori, Sanji in Mashiki, and Jinbei in Uto are all supporting the recovery of Kumamoto from all over the country.
Luffy Statue

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
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