General Information
Tour Code:
Duration: 8 hours
Start/End: Kumamoto port/ Kumamoto port
Highlights: Reigando Cave – Kumamoto Castle – Kato Shrine – Honmyoji Temple – Suizenji Park – AEON MALL Kumamoto.
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Full Itinerary
Our awaiting guide with his signboard is ready to pick you up at the port and transfer you on a comfortable car to the Reigando Cave – the place is most famous for being the location where the great samurai Miyamoto Musashi spent much of his time alone writing “The Book of Five Rings” – his great treatise on material arts. Along the pathway that leads to Reigando Cave, there are numerous stone statues of Disciples of Buddha carved one-by-one to possess unique facial expressions and body positions. Get an understanding of this legendary site and feel the life of a hermit escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city life as Miyamoto Musashi did.
Leave Reigando Cave for Kumamoto Castle – one of the three oldest castles in Japan. The castle was designated as an “important cultural property”. Its stunning architecture from the 17th century with large grounds and elegant classic-styled buildings surrounded by solid walls give visitors a great impression. The splendid views of the grounds, surrounding city and hundred cherry blossom trees can be enjoyed from the top floor of the main tower.
Follow your guide to Kato Shrine after touring the Kumamoto Castle. As you enter, the giant gate will greet you with its bright white. You can still see the main towers of the Castle from this shrine. If your trip takes place on the first days in January, you can have the chance to join the traditional Japanese “Hatsumode” which is also known as “New Year’s Day”. Prepare yourself as queues of people come to the temple at this time.
After passing through several slopes and stairs, we finally arrive the spiritual Honmyoji Temple and the panorama view it offers is worth your effort. People come here, stand in front of the altar of the grave of Katō Kiyomasa who was a dedicated believer of Nichiren Buddhism. The adjacent museum displays a variety of traditional items that play an important meaning of history.
In the fairy Suizenji Garden, find yourself surrounded by the green dominating all over the place. Take a leisure walk along a circular path inhaling the fresh air and let your mind unwind in this tiny forest. Last but not least, enjoy your shopping time at AEON MALL Kumamoto that is well-equipped with a myriad of restaurants, stores with high-end products at affordable prices. Trip ends at leisure time, our guide and driver will take you back to the port for your cruise departure.
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