Kyushu: Kumamoto

A March 2002 trip to Kumamoto by Composthp

HigojiMore Photos

Kumamoto is a large city, more so than we had anticipated. We visited the Kumamoto castle and the Suizenji park while there and stayed one night at the Higoji minshuku.

  • 4 reviews
  • 9 photos

Kyushu: KumamotoBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Meeting the people there. The people are friendly and curious.

We enjoyed our stay at Higoji. There was an awkward moment when we realised that he had served the army and fought in Singapore during the second world war. Here was an old "enemy," but we quickly put that behind us and spoke on safer topics although I am curious to learn of his war experiences.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

The public transportation, notably the tram and bus are most convenient and efficient, but patience is needed due to the number of traffic lights that govern the roads.

HigojiBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Higoji
Higoji is run by an elderly, friendly widower. He picked up English over the years, as well as a smattering of Malay and Mandarin. He had once fought in Jakata and Singapore during the second world war but was discharged from the army when he was seriously wounded in combat. The minshuku is set atop a hill and offers a beautiful night view of Kumamoto city.

If you arrive/depart at the Kumamoto JR station, he will pick/sent you there.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Composthp on April 9, 2002

Higoji
4-39-31 Kasugamathi Kumamoto, Japan
(096) 352-7860

Kumamoto CastleBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Kumamoto
Sometimes called the Castle of Ginkgo Trees, it is one of the three most famous castles in Japan. It was designed by Lord Kato Kiyomasa and completed in 1607. However, most of the castle buildings were destroyed during the Seinan civil war. The present castle was reconstructed by the city in 1960 and is now a museum.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Composthp on April 9, 2002

Kumamoto Castle
15mins walk from the Kumamoto Kotsu Kumamoto, Japan

Suizenji parkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Kumamoto
Suizenji park was created in 1632 by the Hosokawa clan, the rulers of the district then. It is considered as one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens. It features models of Mount Fuji, Lake Biwa and other scenes along the old Tokaido road in the Edo period.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Composthp on April 9, 2002

Suizenji park
20mins by bus from Kotsu center Kumamoto, Japan

About the Writer

Composthp
Composthp
Singapore, Singapore

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