Kumamoto is in the center of Kyushu Island, and Mount Aso is the beloved heart of this beautiful prefecture. Aso-Kuju, Unzen-Amakusa National Parks, Mount Yabahita-hiko, and the Kyushu Central Mountains cover about 20% of the prefecture, perfect for hikers and outdoor adventures. Mount Aso is an active volcano with many hot springs and one of the world's largest calderas. For history buffs, Kumamoto City is an impressive prefectural capital proud of its historical sites, its famous castle, and the lovely Suizenji-joju-en Garden.
Kumamoto Castle
This castle, also known as Ginnan Castle (Ginkgo Castle), was built at the end of the 15th century by the Kato and Hosokawa family.