Kumamoto — Castle & Aso Volcano

Kumamoto is located in the heart of Kyushu and offers two highlights: one of Japan's most impressive castles and the Aso, one of the world's most active volcanoes with Japan's largest caldera.

The Kumamoto-jō (Kumamoto Castle) was considered one of Japan's three great castles and an impregnable fortress. The 2016 earthquake destroyed parts of the massive stone walls, but the main castle was restored in 2021 and is accessible again. The restoration of the stone walls will take decades — a fascinating example of Japanese craftsmanship and patience.

Mount Aso (阿蘇山) is located 90 minutes east of Kumamoto — a volcanic complex with a caldera 25 km in diameter, the largest in Japan. People live inside the caldera, with rice fields and villages. The main crater (Nakadake) regularly emits smoke and ash — at low activity levels, you can hike to the crater rim (by cable car or on foot). The vast grasslands around Aso are more reminiscent of Mongolia than Japan.

Kumamoto Cuisine: Basashi (raw horse meat — a Kyushu specialty, thin slices with ginger and soy sauce) and Kumamoto Ramen (Tonkotsu with garlic oil). The mascot Kumamon (black bear with red cheeks) is Japan's most famous mascot and can be found on everything.