National Parks to Visit Near Kumamoto

Sep 30, 2024

National Parks to Visit Near Kumamoto

Just beyond the borders of the city, the prefecture of Kumamoto is filled with natural beauty. Explore the mountains and forests, with shrines scattered in between, by visiting some of the national parks.

Aso-Kuju National Park

Spanning Kumamoto and Oita prefectures is Aso-Kuju National Park. It is named for Mount Aso, which is the largest active volcano in the country and one of the largest caldera volcanoes in the world. If possible, you should visit during different seasons to see how the landscape changes. Depending on the activity of the volcano at any given time, you may be able to approach the rim, but it is often inaccessible due to the volcanic gases. Even when you can’t get close to the volcano, exploring the hills and taking in the panoramic views make this park worthwhile.

Kikuchi Gorge

A top attraction in Kumamoto is Kikuchi Gorge. The accessible paths along the riverbank make it suitable for people of all levels of mobility. Those who want to walk the entire length of the trail will find it takes no more than about an hour. This will take you past numerous waterfalls through a tranquil forest. Although it’s beautiful all year round, fall is the best time of year to come, when you’ll see the autumn colors.

Tachioka Natural Park

On the edge of the city of Uto, you’ll find Tachioka Natural Park, which was built around the expansive Tateoka Pond. It’s most popular during cherry blossom season due to the 2,000 trees in the park. During the rest of the year, it’s a great picnic spot, not least because it has a barbecue area.

Okoshiki Coast

One of the best beaches in Kumamoto is the country park of Okoshiki Coast in Uto. Make sure you check the tide times when planning your visit to ensure you’ll see the tidal flats at low tide. The most spectacular time is sunset, when the light reflects off the sands. Just be aware that it will be dark on the stairs to reach the observatory, meaning you’ll need a flashlight to see where you’re going.

Senjokawara

Just 15 minutes from Kikuchi city is the scenic spot of Senjokawara. Although it’s a place to see cherry blossoms, it’s most visited for the assortment of rocks of different sizes scattered in the river. Adults and children alike enjoy clambering over these rocks. When the weather is warm enough, this is also a popular place to take a dip. Plus, next to the river is a cool forest, which is ideal for forest bathing.

Oshitoishi Hill

Step away from civilization completely by paying Oshitoishi Hill a visit. The hill has some unusual rock formations, which may once have been sacred. The rocks are also magnetic, which means they make compass needles spin. From the hilltop, you’ll have great views of the surrounding scenery, most of which is in its natural state and includes Mount Aso, smoldering in the distance.

Kumamoto prefecture is packed with all sorts of nature — from volcanoes and hills to beaches, rivers, and lakes. Whether you want to take a relaxed walk through the forest or a challenging hike up a mountain, there’s something for you.

Miya.m, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons