13 Parks in Kumamoto worth your time

This park in Central Kyushu offers unique volcanic landscapes, traditional culture, and diverse natural habitats worth exploring.

What it is

• National Park designated in 1934.
• Covers 726km2 across Oita and Kumamoto prefectures.
• Features unique landforms molded by volcanic activity.
• Preserves traditional customs, rituals, and fire festivals.

What to see

• Mt. Aso and its giant caldera, one of the world's largest.
• Five peaks of Mt. Aso, resembling a sleeping Buddha.
• Active Mt. Nakadake with an acidic blue pool and steam.
• Komezuka, an almost perfectly shaped volcanic cone.
• Kuju Mountains, including Kyushu's highest point, Mt. Nakadake.
• Ramsar Sites Tadewara and Bogatsuru highland marshes.

When to go

• Spring for controlled grassland burnings (noyaki).
• Every season for stunning views and diverse flora/fauna.

Official site

www.env.go.jp

Read more about Aso Kujū National Park

Explore a unique, cool tunnel with a water fountain, once a railway project, now a park.

What it is

• A park within a 550-meter section of an abandoned railway tunnel.
• Construction started in 1973, halted by a large water gush.
• Opened as a park in 1994, providing a major water source.

What to see

• A promenade inside the cool tunnel, about 17 degrees Celsius.
• A water pearl fountain, a unique feature within the tunnel.

When to go

• Tanabata Festival offers seasonal events.
• Christmas Fantasy provides winter festivities.

Getting there

• A 14-minute walk from Takamori Station.

Read more about Takamori Spring Tunnel Park

Jagatani Park offers panoramic views, sports, and play areas, perfect for a relaxing hour.

What it is

• A large park in Tamana City, 19.8 hectares total area.
• Divided into sports and recreation zones.
• Admission is free, with no closed days.

What to see

• Observation deck with views of Tamana city and Unzen Fugen-dake.
• Plaza with large play equipment in Wampaku Land.
• Sports facilities: baseball field, tennis courts, gateball field.
• Walking paths throughout the park.
• Cherry blossoms and azaleas when in season.

Getting there

• About 10 minutes walk from Tamana Onsen.

Address

熊本県玉名市立願寺1598-1 Map

Official site

www.city.tamana.lg.jp

Read more about Jagatani Park

Kenmotsudai Arboretum: a botanical garden in Kumamoto City, showcasing diverse plant life and unique exhibits.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Kumamoto City.
• Opened on November 8, 1952.
• Managed by the Kyushu Regional Forest Office.
• Reopened to the public on April 25, 2024.

What to see

• 141 families, 793 species, and 2,100 plants.
• A forest museum is located within the garden.
• A 1,360-year-old Yakusugi cedar disk.
• A preserved 762mm gauge diesel locomotive.

When to go

• Open 9 AM to 6 PM in summer.
• Closed on Mondays and during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.rinya.maff.go.jp

Read more about Kenmotsudai Arboretum

Ecopark Minamata is a large park built on reclaimed land, offering diverse gardens and a museum.

What it is

• A 41.4-hectare park in Minamata City.
• Built on reclaimed land, completed in 1990.
• Features sports, botanical, and educational facilities.
• Admission to the park is free.

What to see

• Rose garden with 5,000 roses of 800 varieties.
• Bamboo garden with over 100 types of bamboo.
• 465-meter wooden boardwalk along the sea.
• Minamata Disease Municipal Museum.

When to go

• Annual memorial ceremony for Minamata disease victims on May 1st.

Official site

minamata-kouen.com

Read more about Ecopark Minamata

A large park with diverse activities, from go-karts to hot springs, offering a fun day out.

What it is

• A large park covering about 10 hectares.
• Located at the foot of the Aso outer rim.
• Selected as number one in 'New Kumamoto Hyakkei' voting.
• Admission to the park is free.

What to see

• A 1,200-meter-long go-kart course.
• A park golf course.
• An animal square with rabbits and goats.
• Restaurants offering local cuisine.
• Tsukimawari Onsenkan hot spring facility with open-air baths.

When to go

• The park has no closed days.

Read more about Tsukimawari Park

A large city park in Kumamoto, offering diverse natural and recreational areas.

What it is

• A city park in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Opened on December 24, 1966.
• One of Japan's Top 100 City Parks.

What to see

• 200-meter path and a lawn in the Suizenji area.
• Japanese garden and a bashoen in the Izumi area.
• Boat rental facility in the Kami-Ezuko area.
• Promenade and a cycling road in the Shimo-Ezuko area.
• Wide lawn in the Hiroki area.

When to go

• Fireflies appear in the Izumi area from May to June.

Official site

www.ezuko-park.com

Read more about Suizenji Ezuko Park

This park is the most plausible burial site of swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, worth visiting for its historical significance.

What it is

• Burial site of swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645).
• Considered the most plausible of three possible sites.
• Musashi spent his last five years in Kumamoto.

What to see

• Bronze statue of Musashi at the entrance.
• Statue shows Musashi with his two trademark swords.
• Japanese garden is located within the park.
• A teahouse is also present in the park.

Getting there

• Located in the eastern part of Kumamoto city.

Read more about Musashizuka Park

Myojin'ike Meisui Park offers sacred spring water and a shrine, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• An urban park in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Home to one of Minamiaso Village's spring water groups.
• Originally a marsh pond of 5070 square meters.
• Water is known as birth water, said to bless with children.

What to see

• Spring water gushing at two tons per minute.
• Sagawa Kanbei Memorial Museum on site.
• Gundzuka Shrine on site.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Aso-Shirakawa Station.

Official site

www.vill.minamiaso.lg.jp

Read more about Myōjin Pond Meisui Park

A combined zoo and botanical garden with an amusement park, good for families.

What it is

• A municipal zoo and botanical garden.
• Opened in 1929 as Kumamoto Zoo.
• Moved to its current location in 1969.
• Renamed in 1991 to its current name.

What to see

• An amusement park is on site.
• A Japanese garden and a tree sample garden.
• A large greenhouse and an orchid room.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed on Mondays and New Year holidays.

Official site

www.ezooko.jp

Read more about Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Aso Cuddly Dominion is a zoo with many bears and animal shows, worth visiting for unique experiences.

What it is

• A zoo in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Opened in July 1973 as Aso Kuma Bokujo.
• Renamed Aso Cuddly Dominion in March 1998.
• Houses 800 animals of 100 species.

What to see

• Seven types of bears, totaling about 200 animals.
• Miyazawa Theater for animal shows.
• Helipad for sightseeing flights over Mount Aso.
• Junishien (Twelve Zodiac Garden).

Official site

www.cuddly.co.jp

Read more about Aso Cuddly Dominion

Shirakawa Park is a green urban park in Kumamoto City, offering a tranquil tea house.

What it is

• An urban park in Kumamoto City.
• Opened on February 21, 1961.
• Covers an area of 2.0 hectares.
• Formerly the site of the prefectural office.

What to see

• Most of the site is maintained as green space.
• A tea house, relocated from Fukuoka in 1997.
• Tea house modeled after Fushin-an in Kyoto.

Read more about Shirakawa Park

Karashima Park is a modern urban park with disaster prevention features, worth visiting for its open space.

What it is

• An urban planning park in Kumamoto City.
• Established in 1899 as Seishin Kinenhi Park.
• Redeveloped multiple times, most recently in 2021.
• Functions include disaster prevention.

What to see

• Modern park design.
• Part of the Hanabatake Hiroba open space.
• Underground parking lot.

Read more about Karashima Park