racetrack
Autopolis
A hillside circuit on the island of Kyushu in Japan, known for dramatic elevation changes and hosting Super GT and Super Formula.
16 km · about 20 min drive
AsiaJapanKumamoto
Kikuchi
Kumamoto, Japan · Asia
About Kikuchi
Kikuchi works well as a base: 20 minutes from Kōshi, 29km from Mount Aso Caldera.
Kikuchi is in Kumamoto, Japan, with about 49,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Kōshi, about 11 km away.
Kikuchi Shrine (菊池神社, Kikuchi Jinja) is a Shinto shrine in Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture, in which Kikuchi Taketoki (菊池武時, 1292 – April 27, 1333), Kikuchi Takeshige (菊池武重, 1307?-1338?) and Kikuchi Takemitsu (菊池武光, c. 1319 – 1373) are enshrined. It is one of the Fifteen Shrines of the Kenmu Restoration.
Where to Stay in Kikuchi
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Kikuchi.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Kikuchi.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kikuchi?
Within an hour or so of Kikuchi: Autopolis (16 km), Nabegataki Falls (27 km), Mount Aso Caldera (29 km), Tsuetate Onsen (30 km).
Where is Kikuchi?
Kikuchi is in Kumamoto, Japan, about 11 km from Kōshi.
Road trip
Drive to Kikuchi
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Kikuchi. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 49,455
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Kumamoto
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 32.9833, 130.8167
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Kikuchi
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
Nabegataki Falls
A broad, low curtain of water falling from an overhanging ledge, allowing visitors to walk along a path behind the entire span of the fall. A short descent from the car park in northern Kumamoto.
27 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Mount Aso Caldera
One of the world's largest volcanic calderas in Kyushu with an active smoking crater and vast green grasslands.
29 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Tsuetate Onsen
A narrow ravine village straddling the Kumamoto–Oita border where steam vents rise between old wooden inns and footbridges. In spring hundreds of carp streamers are strung across the gorge.
30 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Kurokawa Onsen
A hot-spring village in the Aso highlands that banned neon and concrete facades, so wooden inns and stone-walled riverside baths dominate. A single wooden pass grants entry to three open-air baths of your choice.
32 km · about 35 min drive
photogenic
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
A moss-covered stone stairway of roughly 100 steps climbing through cedar forest to a shrine below a rock face pierced by a huge natural window. Reached by a short walk from a small car park in the Aso caldera.
35 km · about 40 min drive
natural wonder
Takachiho Gorge
A narrow chasm of columnar basalt cliffs cut by the Gokase River, with the Manai Falls dropping 17 m directly into the water. Rowing boats can be hired to reach the base of the falls.
55 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Kikuchi
- 66 kmAonodōmonA tunnel hand-cut through a cliff on the Yamakuni River, begun by the monk Zenkai in 1735 and reputedly dug over three decades to spare travellers a lethal chain path. Sections of the original chiselled bore survive alongside the road.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Kikuchi.
Plan a trip around Kikuchi
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Kikuchi.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.