Hostels in Kumamoto, Japan

Around seven hundred forty thousand people live in Kumamoto, Japan, the capital of the Kumamoto Prefecture. The city is situated in the centre of Kyushu, the southwestern part of the Japanese archipelago. The mountainous island is well known for being the home of Mount Aso, the most active volcano in Japan.

After a massive air raid hit the city during World War II, a Japanese Buddhist monk decided to build a Peace Pagoda on the top of Mount Hanaoka to commemorate all the people who died in war and promote peace. This was the start for him and his supporters to build Peace Pagodas around the globe. Most of the more-than eighty monuments can be found in Japan and India, but you can find lovely examples in Europe and North America, as well.

Communication problems in Kumamoto, Japan hostels and hotels can occur, since many employers speak little to no English. Currently, the offering of Kumamoto, Japan hostels is very limited. If prefer not to stay in a hostel in Kumamoto, Japan, and you are not on a tight budget, check out the numerous hotels in and nearby the district Anseimachi. Alternatively, you can find additional accommodations such as hostels right near Mount Aso.

One of the biggest tourist attractions in the city is Kumamoto Castle. The origins of this complex date back to the fifteenth century. However, the buildings you can see nowadays are a reconstruction from the mid-twentieth century, and only a few structures have survived the centuries since the first construction of the castle. Unfortunately, the castle suffered serious damage in recent earthquakes; some parts are still damaged and the repair work is ongoing.

If you are a park and nature lover, do not miss the Suizenji Garden. The Hosokawa family built the park in the seventeenth century. This spacious, Japanese-style landscape garden is perfect for a stroll and some relaxation. Mount Aso is only fifty kilometres away and is a perfect destination for nature lovers and photographers. Note that the crater area is often partially closed off to visitors due to the volcanic activity.