Discover the best travel guides, tips, and experiences for Kumamoto
The 5th Yamaga Distillery Festival 2026 takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026 on the grounds of Yamaga Distillery, with limited-edition whiskies, Yamaga Lantern Dance performances, guided tours, master classes, and food stalls.
Kumamoto Castle Hall hosts a two-day castle event on October 3 and 4, 2026, with castle PR booths from across Japan, a Touken Ranbu ONLINE collaboration, a special exhibition on 400 years of Kumamoto Castle history, lectures, stage events, workshops, and original goods.
Kumamoto Manga Arts is adding a new manuscript option to its popular pen-inking workshop, letting fans ink a scene from Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater with a professional G-pen and take home a framed piece of their own artwork.
The Pie Hole Los Angeles, a pie and coffee specialty shop from L.A., opens its first Kumamoto pop-up at Amu Plaza Kumamoto from August 18 to 31, 2026, offering signature pies like MOM'S APPLE CRUMBLE alongside the Japan debut of the original L.A. BOX, with a portion of sales supporting disaster recovery in Kumamoto.
From August 12 to 18, 2026, Mie Prefecture's Akafuku brings its refreshing seasonal treat "Akafuku Mizu Yokan," along with sweets from its Isuzu Chaya brand, to Tsuruya Department Store's main building in Kumamoto.
Kame no Yu by HATAGO INN, a rebranded hotel in Kumamoto City, opens in November 2026 with natural hot spring baths, a public bathhouse open to local residents, and a new manga library for overnight guests.
From July 18 to 20, 2026, fragrance atomizer brand "TRAVALO" is holding a three-day pop-up in Kumamoto with hands-on refill trials, a TRAVALO gacha, a first-time Perfume Pod gacha, and pop-up-exclusive models and colors.
Starting July 4, 2026, Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake" in Minamata, Kumamoto is adding a "Shiranui Sea Seasonal Fish Tour" fair to its dinner buffet, featuring hamo (pike conger) and about five kinds of local fish landed that day, rotating with the daily catch.
Kiyomasa Seika's Shiro Kifujin brand has unveiled a summer-limited frozen chocolate banana in two flavors at its Kumamoto stores, along with an in-store cotton candy decoration experience and nationwide cold delivery through its official online shop.
Shoryu, a Japanese kaiseki restaurant by Michelin two-star chef Shinji Tsubahara, and KAZANE, an innovative French restaurant by chef Minami Nakai of Tokyo's Michelin one-star LATURE, will open simultaneously at Au Kurokawa in Kurokawa Onsen on August 1, 2026.
café&books bibliothèque and its sister store pancake&books bibliothèque are hosting their 5th annual Okayama white peach dessert fair from July 1, 2026, featuring two new chilled desserts including the first-ever ice rare cheesecake and a bergamot parfait.
JR Kyushu launches the KUMADVENTURE (Kumamon Adventure) Train on July 4, coinciding with the Kumamoto Destination Campaign, featuring a special one-day joint appearance of two Kumamon-wrapped trains at Yatsushiro Station.
Yunoko Onsen Umi to Yuyake in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, is now accepting reservations for a limited-time plan featuring fresh sashimi from the Yatsushiro Sea and the inn's signature fried shrimp, available from June 5 through July 16, 2026.
Korean café and donut brand BONTEMPS is rolling out 20 new drinks on June 12, including frappés, smoothies, and sodas in flavors such as matcha, earl grey, strawberry, and mango.
The Mexican goods brand Letra is hosting pop-up shops at 17 locations nationwide in June 2026, bringing the vibrant colors and handcrafted warmth of Mexico directly to fans across Japan.
The "Aso Boy!" limited express train marks 15 years of service in June 2026, with a departure ceremony at Kumamoto Station, a new commemorative stamp design, limited on-board merchandise, and a Kumamoto Destination Campaign discount coupon.
SESAME STREET MARKET is launching special pop-up stores across six prefectures—Okinawa, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima—from June 2026 through May 2027, with exclusive region-limited merchandise at each venue.
A new retreat hotel, Aso Retreat HONO by Onko Chishin, is scheduled to open in November 2026 in Minami Aso Village, Kumamoto. The 17-room property features private outdoor hot spring baths, foraging-based experiences, and a restaurant concept centered on primitive gastronomy.
The BREADAY bakery at HAB@Kumamoto in central Kumamoto City has begun stocking specialty coffee brand renag coffee products and serving café au lait using the brand's signature base, marking renag coffee's first entry into the Kyushu region.
Kyusanko Group has announced a large-scale summer 2026 collaboration with the TV anime Natsume's Book of Friends, featuring a special wrapped bus, a pop-up shop at Sakuramachi Kumamoto, and guided tours through the anime's real-life model locations in Hitoyoshi and Kuma.
A limited-time scene photo exhibition celebrating the anime adaptation of Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!? is being held free of charge at the Kumamoto Manga Arts gallery space from April 16 to May 12.
A canned shochu highball and a hand-crafted ceramic cup, born from a collaboration between Amakusa Shuzo and JAPAN MADE PROJECT, are now available in limited quantities at select stores.
The Taiwan Festival in KUMAMOTO 2026 – Tainan Lantern Festival – is set to take place at Hanabatake Hiroba in central Kumamoto from April 24 to May 10, 2026, featuring Tainan cuisine, colorful lanterns, and local fruits.
The 2026 Takamori Sakura Festival runs from March 28 to April 12 in Takamori, Aso, showcasing the weeping cherry tree promenade "Sakura Michi" — just a 10-minute walk from Kyukamura Minami-Aso — alongside the Takamori Pass Thousand Cherry Trees.
Kumamon's 2026 birthday event at Kumamon Square in Kumamoto City brought a big surprise — the release of English, Korean, Chinese, French, and Thai versions of the hit song "Come On! Kumamon!"
Café & Books Bibliothèque and its sister store Pancake & Books Bibliothèque are offering a cherry blossom-themed seasonal pancake from March 1 to 31, 2026, letting you enjoy hanami vibes before the actual sakura season arrives.
Korean twisted donut brand BONTEMPS is rolling out a seasonal "Spring Strawberry Fair" starting March 1, featuring four limited-edition spring-themed donuts across all locations in Japan.
The Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Museum, closed for its first major renovation since opening in 1982, will reopen on March 20, 2026, featuring an expanded craft shop, new café, and special exhibitions celebrating traditional crafts.
An exhibition featuring works by Charles Fazzino, the official Major League Baseball artist known for his unique 3D layered pop art technique, will be held at Tsuruya Department Store in Kumamoto from February 18 to 23, 2026. Admission is free.
Okonomiyaki specialty restaurant chain Dondontei launches its seasonal cheese fair from February 4 to late May, featuring enhanced cheese-loaded menu items across Kyushu locations.
A special goshuin (temple stamp) rally at 78 shrines and temples across Kyushu begins February 20, 2026. Visitors can collect unique commemorative stamps at sacred sites across seven prefectures using special JR train passes.
From February 1 to 28, 2026, Café & Books Bibliothèque and Pancake & Books Bibliothèque will serve a special Valentine's pancake combining rich Earl Grey chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries and orange sauce for a sophisticated seasonal treat.
Plus 1 Co., Ltd., based in Nagasaki and operating restaurants, will soon open a new location called Yakiniku Reimen Fukutora in Kumamoto. This restaurant is the sister brand of Yakiniku Reimen Gensuke, a beloved establishment known for authentic meat dishes and handmade cold noodles that continues to draw crowds even eight months after opening.
Korean-style twisted doughnut brand Bontemps introduces two new premium drinks featuring rich chocolate and sweet-and-sour strawberry flavors at all locations starting February 1st.
House Foods releases a new limited-edition Umakacchan Kurume Tonkotsu instant ramen featuring the signature frothy soup and rich tonkotsu aroma characteristic of Kurume ramen, approved by the Kurume Ramen Association.
Sun Hoseki and GiGO Entertainment have teamed up to open Hoppe-chan★Cafe at GiGO Collaboration Cafes nationwide. The limited-time cafe features Instagram-worthy original menus, exclusive merchandise, and special perks for fans from January 24 to February 15, 2026.
Belgian chocolate brand Legast collaborates with Ron Herman Cafe for the second time, launching a special chocolate box featuring dark chocolate made from rare Peruvian cacao and a cafe-exclusive white chocolate with raspberry and cacao nibs.
Handmade bamboo lanterns crafted from reclaimed bamboo forests illuminate the hot spring town in Kumamoto's Kurokawa Onsen through March 31, 2026.
A unique collaboration product featuring Kumamoto Prefecture's beloved PR character Kumamon and Japan's first wheat noodle ramen can is now available exclusively at Aso Kumamoto Airport's international terminal duty-free shop. This animal-free ramen can is shelf-stable for 3 years and perfect as a souvenir or emergency food.
Café & Books Bibliothèque and its sister shop Pancake & Books Bibliothèque are offering a limited-time Halloween pancake featuring organic Hokkaido pumpkin Kuririn from October 1 to October 31, 2025.
From October 1 to December 14, 2025, nine ryokan in Kurokawa Onsen offer special dining plans featuring Kumamoto Kuroge Wagyu, Akaushi, and Aisai-gyu beef varieties alongside scenic hot spring baths.
Experience the charm of traditional Japanese architecture meets modern luxury at THE RIHAN South Aso Mizu no Oyado, a newly renovated 150-year-old farmhouse opening in Minami-Aso this September.
Spring in Kumamoto Prefecture is a captivating season where cherry blossoms bloom in full glory, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful nature and culture. In this article, we will detail the characteristics and charms of Kumamoto in spring (March to May), must-visit cherry blossom spots, spring festivals and events, and spring gourmet delights. *Please note that […]
Kumamoto Prefecture is a beautiful region located in the southern part of Japan, brimming with charm during the summer. In this article, we will introduce the characteristics and attractions of summer in Kumamoto, its climate and appropriate clothing, refreshing spots, fireworks festivals, and summer festivals and events in detail. *The event dates mentioned may be […]
Autumn in “Kumamoto Prefecture” is a season where you can enjoy colorful autumn foliage, seasonal events, and rich flavors. The climate is mild, making it an ideal time for sightseeing. This article introduces the charms of autumn in Kumamoto Prefecture. *Please note that the event schedules introduced may change. Check the official website of each […]
“Kumamoto Prefecture” is a region known for its beautiful landscapes and rich culture throughout the four seasons. Especially in the winter season (December to February), you can enjoy snow-covered landscapes, enchanting illuminations, and heartwarming gourmet food. This time, we will introduce the charm of winter in “Kumamoto Prefecture” without leaving anything out. ※ The event […]
The Charm and History of “Kurokawa Onsen” “Kurokawa Onsen” is one of Japan’s most popular hot spring resorts. Its history dates back to the Edo period, approximately 300 years ago. In the late 1990s, the introduction of the “Nyuto Tegata” (Bathing Pass) successfully attracted many tourists once again. This pass allows visitors to enjoy three […]
Summary This time, three girls stayed at the newly opened “FAV HOTEL Kumamoto” in Kumamoto.We ate a lot of delicious food and had a girls’ night out.This is a hotel where you can have a wonderful time with family, friends, and of course couples! We also introduce some fashionable spots in Kumamoto. *Please note that […]