Local Guide
[2024 Edition] Recommended spots for viewing autumn leaves in Kumamoto City

Kumamoto City, located in the northwestern part of Kumamoto Prefecture, is almost in the center of Kyushu, and is blessed with groundwater that is rare worldwide. It is also a hub city for Kyushu tourism, Direction in about 30 minutes by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport and in as little as 30 minutes from Hakata Station on the Kyushu Shinkansen. Here are some spots in Kumamoto City you should visit this fall to see the autumn leaves.

Ginkgo Castle: A magnificent sight with its large golden ginkgo tree

Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Castle General Office
Photo courtesy of Kumamoto Castle General Office

Kumamoto Castle is located in the center of Kumamoto City. It is a historic castle completed in 1607 (Keicho 12) by the famous general Kato Kiyomasa, and is counted as one of the three most famous castles in Japan due to its size and grandeur. Kumamoto Castle has various defensive features in preparation for war, and is famous for its stone walls called "Musha-gaeshi," which become steeper the higher they go. Although it was damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the castle tower was restored in March 2021 (the entire castle is scheduled to be fully restored around 2052).
In the square in front of the castle tower, there is a large ginkgo tree that is said to have been planted by Kato Kiyomasa, which is why Kumamoto Castle is called "Ginkgo Castle." In autumn, it shines golden and further enhances the majesty of the castle. In addition, to coincide with the peak season for viewing the autumn leaves every year, Kumamoto Castle is opened to the public at night and lit up at night. You can see a fantastical Kumamoto Castle that you can't normally see.

[Foliage begins to change color] Early November
[Best time to see] Mid-November to early December
[Types of autumn leaves] Ginkgo, zelkova, maple, etc.

Kumamoto Castle
  • URLhttps://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp
  • 住所1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 10 minutes walk from Kumamoto Castle/City Hall Station on the Kumamoto City Tram
  • バスアクセスTake the bus (Kumamoto Castle sightseeing bus "Shiromeguri") from JR Kumamoto Station and get off at "Sakura no Baba Josaien"
  • 営業時間9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
  • 定休日December 29th to December 31st (subject to change)
  • 入場料Admission fee: 800 yen for high school students and above, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students, free for preschoolers
  • TEL096-352-5900（熊本城総合事務所）
  • 駐車場Paid

Enjoy a stroll through the historic site while admiring the fantastic colors reflected on the calm water surface

This is the former site of Taisho-ji Temple, which was built as the family temple of the Hosokawa clan, feudal lords of Kumamoto. It is located about a 25-minute drive from JR Kumamoto Station, and is now a park where locals can relax. On the hilltop are the graves of the first Hosokawa clan leader, Fujitaka and his wife, and the second leader, Tadaoki and his wife Gracia, called the "Four Mausolea," as well as a memorial tower said to belong to Miyamoto Musashi, who had a connection to the Hosokawa clan. Other highlights include the "Moss Garden," which makes use of naturally growing moss, and the teahouse "Koshoken," which was restored based on blueprints left behind by Tadaoki, who was also a tea master. The water basin in front of the teahouse is said to have been used by Sen no Rikyu, Tadaoki's tea master.
During the autumn season, the park is colored vividly by maple and ginkgo trees. The maple trees around the pond are especially beautiful, and the autumn leaves reflected on the still water are fantastic. You can spend a relaxing time in a calm space.

[Start of coloring] Usually around early November
[Best time to see] Mid-November to late November
[Types of autumn leaves] Maple, ginkgo, etc.

Tatsuta Nature Park (Taishoji Temple Ruins)
  • URLhttps://kumamoto-guide.jp/spots/detail/82
  • 住所4-610 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 25 minutes by car from JR Kumamoto Station
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR "Kumamoto" station, get off at "Tatsuta Nature Park Entrance" and walk for about 10 minutes
  • 営業時間8:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
  • 定休日December 29th - December 31st
  • 入場料High school students and above: 200 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen
  • TEL096-344-6753
  • 駐車場free

Enjoy elegant autumn foliage viewing in a daimyo garden with beautiful water

This stroll-style garden in Kumamoto City has been designated as a national scenic spot and historic site. It was started to be built by Hosokawa Tadatoshi, the first lord of the Hosokawa clan of the Kumamoto domain, and completed during the reign of the third lord, Hosokawa Tsunatoshi. The garden is centered around a pond fed by underground water from Mt. Aso, and features an artificial hill modeled after Mt. Fuji, floating stones modeled after the scenery of the Tokaido road, pine trees, and lawns. You can walk around the garden in about 30 minutes.
Within the garden is Izumi Shrine, where successive feudal lords of the Hosokawa clan are enshrined, and the "Water of Longevity" springs forth, which is said to grant longevity to those who drink it. Another attraction not to be missed is the thatched-roofed "Kokindenju no Ma." The building was moved from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine in 1912 (Taisho 1), and the view of the garden from the tatami room is like something out of a painting. You can enjoy matcha green tea and sweets inside, so it's a great place to take a break during your walk. In autumn, the trees in the garden turn red, allowing you to enjoy elegant autumn foliage.

[Start of coloring] Usually around mid-November
[Best time to see] Late November to early December
[Types of autumn leaves] Maple, ginkgo, etc.

Suizenji Jojuen Garden
  • URLhttp://www.suizenji.or.jp
  • 住所8-1 Suizenji Park, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 3 minutes walk from Kumamoto City Tram "Suizenji Park" Station
  • 営業時間8:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料16 years and over: 400 yen, 6 to 15 years old: 200 yen
  • TEL096-383-0074
  • 駐車場None

A statue of Luffy welcomes you. Golden ginkgo trees line the street.

A promenade stretches from the main gate of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office to the building. On both sides of the 180m long promenade, 54 ginkgo trees are planted, in honor of the 540,000 koku Higo Hosokawa Domain. Partway along the promenade, you will be greeted by a bronze statue of Luffy, the protagonist of the popular manga "ONE PIECE." It was erected in November 2018 to commemorate the Kumamoto native and author Eiichiro Oda receiving the Prefectural Citizen's Honor Award, and to forever honor his achievements as a manga artist and his tremendous support for reconstruction efforts, as well as to serve as a symbol of reconstruction. The collaboration of the beautiful ginkgo trees and Luffy, only available during the autumn foliage season, is a must-see. Luffy looks even more radiant as he stands on the golden carpet.
Every November, the area is lit up at night, creating a romantic atmosphere that is different from the daytime. There are benches along the road, so you can take a stroll, take photogenic pictures, enjoy sketching, or just spend your time however you like.

[Start of coloring] Usually around early November
[Best time to see] Mid-November to late November
[Type of autumn leaves] Ginkgo

🄫Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha
🄫Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha
Kumamoto Prefectural Office Promenade
  • URLhttps://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/12348
  • 住所6-18-1 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 18 minutes by car from JR Kumamoto Station
  • TEL096-333-2089（熊本県財産経営課）
  • 駐車場None (please use nearby Parking)
  • メモIllumination (scheduled from 18:00 to 21:00). The period varies depending on the year.

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
Return to top of article
*The contents listed are current as of the date of article update. They may be subject to change, so please check before using.