Free Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
Free Cancellation
June 12100% refund
June 13No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
2 Adults x $194.73
$389.46
Approx Total
$389.46
Pickup included
Inclusions / Exclusions
Mobile ticket
Offered in: Japanese, English
Licensed Local English-speaking Guide
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kumamoto city
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private transportation
This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Overview
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kumamoto!
Kumamoto, located on Kyushu island in southern Japan, strikes a perfect balance between a bustling city fringed by tranquil countryside. The center of the city features its greatest landmark, Kumamoto-jo castle, but a tempting collection of restaurants, bars and shops can also be found nearby.
Let us know what you would like to experience, and your guide will arrange a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Note*3: This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.
This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. ...
Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7. This tour does not allow for a pick up at Yatsuhiro port. Read more ▼
Itinerary
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle (熊本城, Kumamotojō) is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. With large castle grounds and a variety of buildings, Kumamoto Castle offers its visitors one of the most complete castle experiences in Japan.
Only a few structures have survived the centuries since the castle's construction in 1607 intact. The castle keep and most other buildings are modern reconstructions, but the reconstructions are mostly of a high quality and new buildings are continually being added. With about 800 cherry trees, the castle becomes a popular cherry blossom spot usually in late March and early April.
15 minutes
Suizenji Jojuen Garden
Suizenji Garden (水前寺成趣園, Suizenji Jōjuen) is a spacious, Japanese style landscape garden in Kumamoto, best enjoyed by strolling along a circular path. It was built by the Hosokawa family in the 17th century.
The garden reproduces the 53 post stations of the Tokaido, the important road, which connected Edo with Kyoto during the Edo Period, in miniature form, including a small Mt. Fuji.
15 minutes
Lafcadio Hearn House
Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), known in Japan under his Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, was among the first Western authors to write books about Japan. His most famous works include "Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan" and "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things".
Hearn immigrated to Japan in 1890 and spent the rest of his life there. After spending a year in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Hearn resided several years of his life (1891 to 1894) in Kumamoto City. Today, his former Kumamoto residence (小泉八雲熊本旧居, Koizumi Yakumo Kumamoto Kyūkyo) is open to the public and contains a small museum about the author.
15 minutes
Sakuranobaba Josaien Tourist Information Center
Josaien is a tourist establishment that houses the specialty dishes and souvenirs of Kumamoto. At Josaien, you can try specialties that are unique to the region, such as the Salad Chikuwa (deep-fried fish cake with salad inside) and the Ikinari Dango (sweet potato and bean paste wrapped in dough). The Tourist Information Center offers pamphlets and local maps in English, Chinese, and Korean, as well as coin lockers that you can use for free.
15 minutes
Shimotori Shotengai
Shimotori Arcade is the largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto Prefecture, measuring 511 m in length and 15 m in width. Visited by more than 50,000 people each day, it is a place that is lined with department stores, boutiques, and eating and drinking establishments. It is also often used as a venue for performances by street musicians and exhibits by various groups. There are many izakaya (Japanese pubs) and bars here that are open until late at night, so it is also famous as a nighttime entertainment district.
15 minutes
Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto
Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto (CAMK) is a museum that mainly exhibits contemporary art. At the museum, you can appreciate works integrated with the actual building at various spots inside the hall, including James Turrell's light canopy and Marina Abramovic's bookshelves that come with a bed. The museum is attached to the Home Gallery, where you can browse art books and manga (Japanese comics), as well as a Kids Salon where families can enjoy picture books and picture story shows. There are also planned exhibitions that give a glimpse into the art culture of Kumamoto.
15 minutes
Hanaokayama Park
Hanaokayama is a hill which offers you great views over the city and it is particularly pretty if you trek here in the evening when you can catch the twinkling lights over the city.
If the weather is good then you can even see as far as Mount Aso, steaming away behind Kumamoto.
It takes around 15 minutes to trek to the summit of the hill, or you can also travel there by car, but it is more than worth the effort to get to the top as you can also check out a small hillside temple which is topped with a shrine gate known as a torii in Japanese.
1 hour
Soseki Natsume Uchitsuboi Old House
Soseki Memorial Hall is dedicated to Natsume Soseki who was a writer who would have lived during the Meiji period and who died in 1916. The memorial hqll is based in his former home which dates from the 1870s and this also used to be an English school.
One of the main reasons to come here is to check out the period architecture as well as the ornate Japanese garden that surrounds the building.
From the house you can also walk to the serene Tsuboi-gawa River.
1 hour
Kumamoto Prefectual Traditional Crafts Center
If you want to check out some arts and crafts while you are in Kyushu then the Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centre is one of the best places to do it.
Here you will find a huge number of different crafts pieces such as ceramics, glass ware and wood carvings, and there are even ornate Yamaga lanterns on display.
One of the great things about the center is that you can also buy many of the pieces on display here which make excellent souvenirs or gifts.
15 minutes
Shimada Museum of Arts
The Shimada Museum of Art is one of the smaller museums in Kumamoto but it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Here you will find a number of galleries which are dedicated to items such as calligraphy pieces and scrolls which were painted by Miyamoto Musashi who was an artist and a famous samurai warrior who would have lived in Kumamoto in the 16th century.
The museum also has a number of galleries dedicated to the work of contemporary artists from the region so art lovers should make sure not to miss this off the itinerary.
＊This museum is closed on Tuesday.
15 minutes
Sample Menu
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot. No Private Vehicle is included.
Free Cancellation
June 12100% refund
June 13No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her
Reviews by TravelOne travelers
Showing 1-5 of 4 reviews with 5 stars
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Wonderful MEIKO!
Published on Mar, 2025
We have the best time with MIEKO at Kumamoto. She contact me to explain the best options to get from my cruise to Kumamoto. We visit Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Gardens. At Kumamoto Castle she suggest to rent ninja customs for my kids. Inside the castle she explain everything really nice. In Suizenji gardens she take us the best pintures and explain the Sakura Season.
Such a knowledgeable guide!
Published on Mar, 2025
Mieko was an incredible guide. I feel very fortunate that we got to spend a half day her. Her knowledge of Shoguns, emperors, Samurai, and Kumamoto is amazing! I always have about 1000 questions, and she knew the answers to 99% of them! She was also very receptive to customizing our tour to address our requests. I cannot recommend her more!
Phenomenal Tour Guide
Published on Aug, 2024
Our tour guide Jun was very informative. He had a binder with visuals to ensure nothing would get lost in translation. In addition he assisted us with transportation to and from our cruise ship. He is one of the best tour guides we have encountered.
Phenomenal Tour Guide
Published on Aug, 2024
Our tour guide Jun was very informative. He had a binder with visuals to ensure nothing would get lost in translation. In addition he assisted us with transportation to and from our cruise ship. He is one of the best tour guides we have encountered.
Great tour with Mieko
Published on Dec, 2023
Mieko is an excellent guide. We had a beautiful day to tour Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Jojuen gardens. I learned a lot and can't recommend Mieko enough.
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