Unique and Unusual Attractions in Kumamoto

Dec 27, 2022

Unique and Unusual Attractions in Kumamoto

Kumamoto is a beautiful prefecture on the island of Kyushu, probably most well-known for the breathtaking Mount Aso and the historic Kumamoto Castle. But there’s much more to the region than that, including some lesser-known treats that don’t necessarily attract the biggest crowds. Here are some of the more unique and unusual sightseeing spots that are well worth a visit.

Tonkakarin Tunnels

Around 12 km north of the Kumamoto city center, you can find an eery set of human-made tunnels dug into the mountainside in a city called Tamana. The tunnels run for nearly 500 meters in total, varying in size from around 4 meters tall to ones so small that only a child could crawl through. The tunnels were discovered in the 1970s, and their creation remains a mystery today, with theories ranging from the practical (some believe they were aqueducts) to the supernatural. Even the name is a mystery, with one popular idea being that tonkakarin is the sound a stone makes when thrown into the tunnels. At the top of the tunnels, you will find a small shrine containing beautiful wood carvings.

Address: 3481 Sagawa, Nagomi, Tamana, Kumamoto 865-0135

Komezuka Volcanic Hill

This small volcanic cone is only 50 meters in height and has been referred to as “the cutest volcano in Japan.” It makes a great stop-off visit on the way to Mount Aso itself, not just because of the incredible sights but also because it doesn’t get too many tourists. If you visit in the summer, you will find the hill covered in golden grass, while in winter, it looks spectacular on foggy mornings. You can get up and down in around 45 minutes, so well worth fitting in as part of a longer hike.

Laputa Road

This famed route in Kumamoto snakes around the cliff edges on the outskirts of Mount Aso. It was given the name Laputa due to its resemblance to the mythical floating island in “Gulliver’s Travels,” and the road does indeed look like it’s floating on the clouds if viewed on a misty day. Laputa Road is also the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli animation “Castle In The Sky.” Sadly following the 2016 earthquake, which caused a landslide, the road is now out of use, but you can still view it safely from the nearby hills and take pictures to wow your friends.

Website: https://explore-kumamoto.com/laputa-road/

Monkey D Luffy Statue

This statue is a testament to how much the Japanese love their anime. Monkey D Luffy is a character from the popular Manga series “One Piece” and the statue, which sits in front of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office, was placed as a tribute to the author Eiichiro Oda after he helped with the region’s rebuilding efforts after the 2016 earthquake. It shows the pirate character with his right fist punching into the air and is one of five bronze statues of the Straw Hat Pirate character erected in the prefecture, with a further four planned.

Address: 6 Chome 18-1 Suizenji, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto 862-0950

Kuratake Shrine

The Kuratake Shrine sits atop Mount Kura, 862 meters above sea level, which is the highest peak in the Amakusa Islands. It was built to protect the sea and all the fishermen in it, which explains the small ship carving filled with empty shells in front of the shrine. Kuratake is little-known to visitors to Kumamoto because it was closed for 40 years after a flood in 1972. But it is well worth a visit, which takes around 25 minutes by car from the foot of the mountain, as you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the sea and the nearby Goshaura Island.

Address: Kuratakemachi Tanasoko, Amakusa, Kumamoto 861-6402

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons