Kumamoto is the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. The most famous landmark of the city is Kumamoto Castle, a large and well-fortified Japanese castle with several original wooden buildings still intact. Within its outer walls is the Hosokawa Gyobu-tei, a traditional wooden mansion with a very beautiful Japanese garden located in its grounds. 

Suizenji-Jōjuen is a formal garden next to Suizenji Temple, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Lake Ezu is another place to relax, this spring fed lake runs from Suizenji Park to Kumamoto Zoo. There are walking trails around the lake or you can rent rowing boats.

Just outside Kumamoto one of the largest volcano caldera in the world, Mount Aso. The caldera is 11 miles wide and 15 miles long and is covered with green plains, ponds, towns and villages. Mount Aso is an active volcano and its five mountain peaks are said to be the world’s most beautiful.