1. No category

KUMAMOTO and MT. ASO
PAGE 1 / 5
Practical Travel Guide - 704
KUMAMOTO
and MT. ASO
KUMAMOTO
Kumamoto（熊本）pop. 739,570 (as of Nov. 2013) situated in the
center of Kyushu, is the capital of Kumamoto Prefecture, and constitutes, along with Fukuoka, the political, commercial and cultural
nucleus of the island. With many green woods and delicately crafted
gardens, Kumamoto was a thriving castletown for centuries. It has
now developed into a modern metropolis with broad streets lined
with high-rise buildings.
Access:
By Air:
From
To
Operated by
Time required
Haneda (Tokyo)
ANA / JAL / SNA / SKY
1 hr. 50 min.
Itami (Osaka)
ANA / JAL / AMX
1 hr. 5 min.
ANA
1 hr. 20 min.
FDA
1 hr. 25 min.
Nagoya (Chubu)
Kumamoto
Nagoya (Komaki)
Access to downtown
50 min. by bus to
Kumamoto Sta. ¥800
By JR Train:
From
To
Tokyo
Time required
Reserved Seat
Non-Reserved Seat
Tokyo–Hakata by JR Shinkansen “Nozomi” and connecting
JR Shinkansen “Mizuho”, “Sakura” or “Tsubame”
6 hrs.
“Nozomi”
¥24,750
¥23,020
4 hrs. 5 min.
“Nozomi”
¥17,040
¥15,780
4 hrs. 30 min.
“Hikari”
¥16,740
¥15,980
3 hrs. 18 min.
“Sakura”
¥18,020
3 hrs.
“Mizuho”
¥18,320
50 min.
¥4,790
Shin-Osaka–Hakata by JR Shinkansen “Nozomi” or “Hikari”
and connecting JR Shinkansen “Mizuho”, “Sakura” or
“Tsubame”
Shin-Osaka
Kumamoto
Shin-Osaka–Kumamoto by JR Shinkansen “Sakura” or
“Mizuho”
Hakata
One-way fare
Type of Transportation
JR Shinkansen “Mizuho”, “Sakura” or “Tsubame”
¥17,510
¥3,440
* The one-way fare is regular time price and change by seasons. Please check them in advance.
Places of Interest:
Kumamoto Castle（熊本城）, the city’s leading landmark, is a
10-min. walk from Kotsu Center or a 20-min. bus ride from Kumamoto
Sta. The castle, towering on a low hill in the city, was originally built in
1607 after seven years of work supervised by Kiyomasa Kato (1562–
1611), the local feudal lord, who laid the foundations of the present
thriving city of Kumamoto. A large part of the castle burned down in
1877, but the donjon was restored to its former grandeur in 1960. The
donjon now has a museum which houses valuable items associated with
the Shogun and his lords. Open: 8:30–17:30 (Mar.–Nov.), –16:30 (Dec.–
Feb.) Admission: ¥500
Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum（熊本県立美術館）is in
the vicinity of Kumamoto Castle. This modern structure houses a splendid collection of replicas of the ornamentally decorated tombs excavated in the prefecture. Open: 9:30–17:15 (enter by 16:45) Closed: Mon.
(or Tue. when Mon. is a national holiday) Admission: ¥260 Additional
fare will be needed for special exhibition.
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center（熊本県伝
統工芸館）
, a 5-min. walk from Kumamoto-jo Shiyakusho-mae stop, has
a great variety of folk arts and crafts such as woodworks, ceramics,
bamboocrafts and cutlery, including Higo inlay, Kumamoto’s famous traditional craft. You can also purchase hand-made goods. Open: 9:00–
17:00 (enter by 16:30) closed: Mon (or Tue. when Mon. is a national
holiday) Admission: ¥200 (2nd floor only)
Suizenji-jojuen（水前寺成趣園）, 20 min. by bus or Streetcar from
Kotsu Center, has a typical Momoyama-style hill garden called Jojuen,
which was laid out in 1632 in the villa of the Hosokawa Clan, the rulers
of this district after the Kato Clan. The park, 64.6 ha. in area, is unique
for its unusually large-scale design, featuring models of Mt. Fuji, Lake
Biwa and other outstanding scenes along the old Tokaido Road. Open:
7:30–17:30 (Mar.–Oct.), 8:30–16:30 (Nov.–Feb.) Admission: ¥400
PAGE 2 / 5
KUMAMOTO and MT. ASO
Suggested Sightseeing Route (3 hrs.):
15 min. by streetcar
10 min. walk
5 min. walk
Kumamoto Sta. ...................................................... Kumamoto-jo Shiyakusho-mae Stop ....................................... Kumamoto Castle ................................................
熊本駅
熊本城市役所前停留所
熊本城
15 min. walk
15 min. by streetcar
Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum ............................................... Shiyakusho-mae Stop ........................................... Suizenji-jojuen (Suizenji Koen-mae Stop)
熊本県立美術館
市役所前停留所
Kumamoto
水前寺成趣園（水前寺公園前停留所）
N
Ikeda Sta.
池田駅
Mt.Tatsudayama
立田山
Kitakumamoto Sta.
北熊本駅
31
Ku
ma
mo
to
303
wa R
oiga
203
Kamikumamotoeki-mae
上熊本駅前
1
ic
Ra
ilw
ay
Tatsuda Natural Park
立田自然公園
Tsuboigawa Park Sta.
坪井川公園駅
Kurokamimachi Sta.
黒髪町駅
Kumamoto
University
Tsub
Kamikumamoto Sta.
上熊本駅
ctr
坪井
川
iver
Kankanzaka Sta.
韓々坂駅
Honmyo-ji Temple
本妙寺
Ele
Uchikoshi Sta.
打越駅
37
3
熊本大
Honmyoji-iriguchi
本妙寺入口
Chuo High School Fujisakigu-mae Sta.
藤崎宮前駅
Kumamoto Prefectual
Art Museum
熊本県立美術館
Danyamachi
段山町
Urusanmachi
蔚山町
Sakura no baba Jyousaien
桜の馬場城彩苑
❻
Kumamoto
Castle
熊本城
Kumamotojo,
Shiyakusho-mae
熊本城・市役所前
Toricho-suji
❸ 通町筋
Hanabatacho
花畑町
Nishi-Karashimacho
西辛島町
Senbabashi
洗馬橋
Mt.Hanaokayama
花岡山
Kawaramachi
河原町
❹
k
ira
h
白川 S
Fujisakihachimangu Shrine
藤崎八幡宮
Kuhonji Kosaten
九品寺交差点
Karashimacho
辛島町
Keitokuko-mae
慶徳校前
28
Kotsukyoku-mae
交通局前
❶
Str
eet
Ca
r
Gionbashi
祇園橋
Kumamoto Sta.
熊本駅
❾
❺
❽
Misotenjin-mae
味噌天神前
Gofukumachi
呉服町
28
Ri
Suidocho
水道町
❷
Shinmach
新町
r
ve
a
aw
Shin-Suizenji Sta.
新水前寺駅
Suizenji Sta.
水前寺駅
Shin-Suizenji-ekimae
新水前寺駅前
❼
22
Kokufu
国府
Kumamotoeki-mae
熊本駅前
Suizenji-jojuen
水前寺成趣園
Suizenji-Koen-mae
水前寺公園前
Minamikumamoto Sta.
南熊本駅
Tasakibashi
田崎橋
: Japan Railways
266
Heisei Sta.
平成駅
: Tram
: Other Railways
JR Hohi Line
: Tourist Information
JR豊肥本線
❶–
correspond to those in the Accommodations list on page 3/5
– correspond to those in the place of interests on page 1/5
KUMAMOTO and MT. ASO
PAGE 3 / 5
Accommodations: Kumamoto
Tel.
Fax.
Room
rate (¥)
Name of facilities
Tel.
Fax.
Room
rate (¥)
(096)322-5001
(096)322-0109
(096)322-2211
(096)352-7860
(096)354-8000
(096)353-1546
(096)371-9193
(096)381-6221
(096)354-9498
(096)322-3050
(096)322-6987
(096)352-7860
(096)354-8012
(096)353-1546
(096)371-9218
(096)382-2715
¥
¥
¥
¥
¥
¥
¥
¥
❾ Toyoko Inn Kumamoto Sta. (BH)
Kumamoto Kotsu Center Hotel (H)
Maruko Hotel (R)
Nest Hotel Kumamoto (H)
Kumamoto Hotel Castle (H)
ANA Hotel Kumamoto New Sky (H)
Hotel Nikko Kumamoto (H)
Hotel New Otani Kumamoto (H)
(096)351-1045
(096)326-8828
(096)353-1241
(096)322-3911
(096)326-3311
(096)354-2111
(096)211-1111
(096)326-1111
(096)351-1046
(096)354-1120
(096)353-1217
(096)356-5229
(096)326-3324
(096)354-8973
(096)211-1175
(096)326-0800
¥
¥¥
¥¥
¥¥
¥¥¥
¥¥¥
¥¥¥
¥¥¥
Name of facilities
❶
❷
❸
❹
❺
❻
❼
❽
Hokke Club (BH)
Kumamoto Tokyu Inn Hotel (BH)
Hotel Sun Route Kumamoto (BH)
Higoji (M)
JR Kyusyu Hotel Kumamoto (BH)
Minshuku Ryokan Kajita (R)
Suizenji Youth Hostel (Y)
Youthpia Kumamoto Youth Hostel (Y)
Remarks:
❶–
H
R
BH
Y
M
correspond to those on the map on page 2/5
= Hotel
Rate for a twin room
= Ryokan
Rate per person
= Business Hotel
Rate per person
= Youth Hostel
Rate per person
= Minsyuku (family-run inn)
Rate per person
¥¥¥ = more than 15,000 yen
¥¥ = 8,001 yen – 15,000 yen
¥ = 8,000 yen or less
MT. ASO
Mt. Aso（阿蘇山）, symbolizing Kumamoto, the “Land of Fire,” is a
national park with vast grassland, lakes, forests and hot springs at its
base. The crater basin, measuring 24 km in length from north to south,
18 km in width from east to west and 128 km in circumference, is the
largest of its kind in the world. Aso is the general name for five volcanic
peaks, each well over 1,000 m in altitude, of which Nakadake is active.
The largest of the five craters of Nakadake, 600 m across and 160 m
deep, is the most active, constantly spewing forth black smoke accompanied by underground trembling.
Access to the Crater:
From
To
Kumamoto Sta.
Time
required
Operated by
JR Hohi Line
1 hr. 5 min.
Limited Express “Kyushu Oudan Tokkyu”
JR Hohi Line
1 hr. 30 min.
Local train
Aso Sta.
Remarks
One-way
fare
4 runs
¥1,680
6 runs
¥1,080
Aso Sta.
Asozan Nishi
(West side of Mt. Aso)
Kyushu Sangyo Bus
40 min.
7 runs
¥540
Asozan Nishi
(West side of Mt. Aso)
Kako Nishi
(West Crater)
Kyushu Sangyo
Ropeway
4 min.
every 8~15 min.
¥600
*The one-way fare may change by seasons.
Accommodations: Mt. Aso
Name of facilities
Tel.
Fax.
Room
rate (¥)
Uchinomaki Spa:
❶ Aso-no-Tokeidai (P)
❷ ASO BASE BACK PACKERS (G)
❸ Aso Youth Hostel (Y)
❹ Aso Hotel Ichibankan (R)
❺ Aso Plaza Hotel (R)
❻ Hotel Kadoman (R)
❼ Aso-no-tsukasa Villa Park Hotel (H)
(0967)32-2236
(0967)34-0408
(0967)34-0804
(0967)32-0008
(0967)32-0711
(0967)32-0615
(0967)34-0811
(0967)32-3429
(0967)34-0408
–
(0967)32-0526
(0967)32-1756
(0967)32-0214
(0967)34-0816
¥
¥
¥
¥¥
¥¥
¥¥
¥¥
Name of facilities
Akamizu Spa:
❽ Kumamoto YMCA Aso Camp (Y)
Others:
❾ Evergreen (P)
Cream House (P)
Pension Akanegumo (P)
Kulala (P)
Remarks:
❶–
H
R
Y
P
G
correspond to those on the map on page 4/5
= Hotel
Rate for a twin room
= Ryokan
Rate per person
= Youth Hostel
Rate per person
= Pension
Rate per person
= Guest House
Rate per person
¥¥¥ = more than 15,000 yen
¥¥ = 8,001 yen – 15,000 yen
¥ = 8,000 yen or less
Tel.
Fax.
Room
rate (¥)
(0967)35-0124 (0967)35-1642
¥
(0967)67-2585
(0967)62-3089
(0967)67-2011
(0967)67-1826
¥
¥
¥
¥¥
(0967)67-1769
(0967)62-3090
(0967)67-2001
(0967)67-1826
PAGE 4 / 5
KUMAMOTO and MT. ASO
Kikuchi As
o Skyline
菊池阿蘇
スカイライ
ン
an
Y
Kokuzo Shrine
国造神社
Kabutoiwa Viewpoint
かぶと岩展望所
0
5km
aR
w
Bungo Road
豊後街道
ka
ro
Ku
212
川
黒
Uchinomaki
Sta. 内牧
ne
Li
hi 線
o
H 肥
JR 豊
Akamizu Sta.
赤水
Cuddly Dominion
Ichinokawa Sta.
市ノ川
Akamizu Onsen
(Aso Onsen)
赤水温泉
Aso Osaruno-sato
Sarumawashi Gekijo
阿蘇お猿の里
猿まわし劇場
Aso Onsen
阿蘇温泉
Aso Shrine
阿蘇神社
Aso Sta.
阿蘇
Ikoinomura Sta.
いこいの村
❼
57
❶
Tateno Sta.
立野
❺
❻
r
ive
To Kumamoto
Shiroyama Viewpoint
城山展望所
Ichinomiya Onsen
一の宮温泉
❹
Uchinomaki Onsen (Aso Onsen)
内ノ牧温泉
N
❽
i
am
gh
Hi
am
Mt. Daikanbo
大観峰
Kikuchi Gorge
菊池渓谷
y
wa
Aso Skyline
阿蘇スカイライン
Milk Road
To Oita & Beppu
大分、別府へ
Miyaji Sta.
宮地
❸ ❷
Koga-no Taki Falls
古閑の滝
Sensuikyo Road
仙酔峡道路
Bouchu Onsen
(Aso Onsen)
坊中温泉
Hakoishi Pass
箱石峠
Sensuikyo Gorge
仙酔峡
Komezuka
米塚
265
線
中
te 路坊
Sensuikyo
u
Mitsubachi Bokujou
Mt. Kijimadake
Ro 道
仙酔峡
u 山
みつばち牧場
h
杵島岳
c 登
Bo 蘇
Sensuikyo Ropeway
阿
Aso Farmland
仙酔峡ロープウェイ
Kusasenri
阿蘇ファームランド
Aso Volcano
(out of service)
Crater East
草千里が浜
Museum
Mt. Takadake
火口東
Akamizu Route
阿蘇火山博物館
Mt. Nakadake 高岳
赤水線
中岳
Crater
Asozan
West
Nishi
火口西
Tochigibara Onsen ❾
Mt.Eboshi 阿蘇西
栃木原温泉
烏帽子岳
Hinotori Onsen
火の鳥
Tarutama Onsen
Jigoku Onsen
Tochinoki Onsen
Mt.Okamado
垂玉温泉
地獄温泉
栃木温泉
御竃門山
Choyo Sta.
Mt. Yomine
長陽
夜峰山
Onsen (Hot Spring)
Japan Railways
Mt. Aso Climbing Road
Other Railways
Ropeway
Yoshida Route
阿蘇登山道路吉田線
Aso Shimodajo Fureai Onsen Sta.
阿蘇下田城ふれあい温泉
Kase Sta.
加勢
Mi
325
nam
南 i-As
阿 oR
蘇 ai
鉄 lwa
道 y
Mt. Nekodake
根子岳
Takamori
Onsen House
高森温泉館
325
Minami-Aso Mizu no umareru sato Hakusui Kogen Sta.
南阿蘇みずのうまれる里白水高原
Aso-Shirakawa Sta.
阿蘇白川
Mt. Aso
Kugino Soba Dojou
久木野そば道場
Shirakawa Riverhead
白川水源
Nakamatsu Sta.
Takamori Sta.
中松
高森
Minami Aso Shirakawa Suigen Sta.
南阿蘇白川水源 Miharashidai Sta.
見晴台
❶–
To Takachiho
correspond to those in the Accommodations list on 3/5
Trans-Kyushu Sightseeing Bus (Kumamoto - Mt. Aso (Aso Sta.) - Beppu):
Name
JR
Kumamoto
Sta.
#1
8:04
Mt. Aso (Aso Sta.)
Ar.
Lv.
9:46
9:56
Beppu Sta.
Note
–
Direct bus (The last stop is Yufuin Sta.)
#3
9:04
11:28
11:38
–
Direct bus (The last stop is Yufuin Sta.)
#5
10:35
12:59
–
–
Direct bus
#7
12:15
14:39
14:49
18:03
No English-speaking guides. Reservation required. Please check the schedule in advance. Kyushu Sangyo Kotsu: Tel. (096)354-4845
KUMAMOTO and MT. ASO
Komezuka（米塚）, 20 min. by taxi from JR Aso Sta. It is alt. 954 m high
a parasite volcano of Mt. Aso, it is covered with grass. Visitors can be
enjoyed the beautiful green scenery from May. It is prohibited to enter
the mountain's area for the conservation.
Kurokawa Onsen（黒川温泉）, 50 min. by Sanko Bus from JR Aso Sta.,
there are about 20 spa along Tanoharu River. Almost Onsen are open
air bath, they are beside the river, the rocky mountain and in the grove.
Kurokawa Onsen is one of the popular Onsen in Kumamoto.
Admission and time are depended on each spa.
Nagayu Onsen（長湯温泉）, 1hr. 25 min. from JR Aso Sta. to
Bungotaketa Sta.（豊後竹田）. Then 50 min. by Taketa Community Bus
from Bungotaketa Bus Stop to Nagayu Bus Stop. It is called lemon pop
Onsen（ramune）because of it is a carbonated hot spring. Admission
and time are depended on each Onsen.
Tourist Information Center (TIC)
TIC of Japan National Tourism Organization is your helping
hand while in Japan. Its main services are providing travel
information and free literature on Japan such as tourist spots,
transportation, and suggesting tour itineraries, etc.
1st Fl., Shin Tokyo Bldg., 3-3-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
100-0005
Tel. 03-3201-3331
Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed: Jan. 1st)
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/guide/tic.html
Goodwill Guide Groups offer tourists from overseas
local tours guided in English or other languages. The guides
are registered with JNTO and display the badge shown. As
they are volunteers, there is no charge for their service. You are
only expected to pay for their transportaion, admission to tourist
facilities if you visit any and their meals if you eat with them.
JNTO Website
www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/guide/guideservice.html
PAGE 5 / 5
Aso Farm Land（阿蘇ファームランド）, 15 min. from JR Aso Sta. to
Akamizu Sta. then 7 min. by taxi. It is the largest theme park in Kyushu,
there are restaurants, spa, ranch, accommodation, athletic fields and so
on. Open: 9:00–17:00 (depends on seasons and facilities). Admission is
free, but each facilities are required.
Cuddly Dominion, 3 min by taxi from JR Aso Sta. is a unique zoological park that holds 1,100 animals from 95 spieces. Various kinds of show
are take place, and you will see lovely performance of chimpanzees,
bears or penguins. You can also feed and touch the animals. Open:
9:30–17:30, 10:00-16:30 (mid-Oct.–mid Mar.) Closed: Tue. & Wed.
(Dec. – Feb) Admission: ¥2,300 (children: ¥1,200) Note: the shows and
programs may be changed or canceled without prior notification.
TOURIST INFORMATION
(Visit Japan Information Network)
JR Kumamoto Station Tourist Information (West Exit):
3-15-1 Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
Open: 8:00–20:00
Tel. (096)352-3743
JR Kumamoto Station Tourist Information (East Exit):
3-15-1 Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
Open: 8:30–19:00
Tel. (096)352-3743
Tourist Information Center (Sakurano-baba Johsai-en):
1-1-3 Ninomaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
Open: 8:30–18:30, –17:30 (Dec.–Feb.)
Tel. (096)322-5060
Closed: Dec.29 – 31
ASO Tourist Informaion Office (JR Aso Sta.):
1440-2 Kurokawa, Aso City, Kumamoto
Open: 9:00–17:00
Tel. (0967)34-0751
Aso Volcano Museum:
1930-1 Akamizu, Aso City, Kumamoto
Open: 9:00–17:00
Tel. (0967)34-2111
Aso Kumamoto Airport Information Counter:
1802-2 Oyatsu, Kamimashiki, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto
Open: 6:45–21:30
Tel. (096)232-2810
Note: Transportation expenses, admission fees and other charges may change due to the increase in the consumption tax rate to 8% from April 2014.
All information, including transportation schedules, fares, prices and accommodation charges, which is contained in this leaflet is based on data as of December
2013, and is subject to change without notice. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all information, regrettably errors do occasionally occur.
Therefore, you should check with organizations concerned for updated and accurate information on your chosen destination. JNTO shall not be liable for any
loss or damage of whatever nature that may arise as a result, directly or indirectly, from the use of any of the information or material contained in this leaflet.
© 2013 Japan National Tourism Organization. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Printed in Japan