racetrack
Autopolis
A hillside circuit on the island of Kyushu in Japan, known for dramatic elevation changes and hosting Super GT and Super Formula.
37 km · about 45 min drive
AsiaJapanKumamoto
Kumamoto
Kumamoto, Japan · Asia
About Kumamoto
Kumamoto sits on the route: 10 minutes from Kotō, 39km from Mount Aso Caldera.
Kumamoto is in Japan, with about 740,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Kotō, about 6 km away.
Kumamoto (熊本市, Kumamoto-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [kɯ.ma.mo.to, -toꜜ.ɕi]) is the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. As of June 1, 2019, the city had an estimated population of 738,907 and a population density of 1,893 people per km2. The total area is 390.32 km2.
Greater KumamotoRead more
(熊本都市圏) had a population of 1,461,000, as of the 2000 census. As of 2010, Kumamoto Metropolitan Employment Area has a GDP of US$39.8 billion. It is not considered part of the Fukuoka–Kitakyushu metropolitan area, despite their shared border. The city was designated on April 1, 2012, by government ordinance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kumamoto?
Within an hour or so of Kumamoto: Autopolis (37 km), Mount Aso Caldera (39 km), Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine (44 km), Nabegataki Falls (49 km).
Where is Kumamoto?
Kumamoto is in Kumamoto, Japan, about 6 km from Kotō.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 738,907
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Kumamoto
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 32.8059, 130.6918
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 Kumamoto
7 notable places within an hour's 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.
39 km · about 45 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.
44 km · about 50 min 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.
49 km · about 55 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.
52 km · about 60 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.
53 km · about 60 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.
58 km · about 65 min drive
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