Kumamoto, Japan

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the most impressive castles in Japan-nearly impregnable and with luxurious interiors. It is classified as an Important Cultural Property. Twelve towers, tall stone walls, and stairways that turn the castle grounds into a three-dimensional labyrinth make it a delightful place for an excursion. The castle is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season. White and pink blooms, set against the backdrop of the castle and combined with the greenery of giant elms and camphor trees, create a breathtaking landscape. In the castle museum, you can admire a fine collection of antique maps, weapons, and palanquins. The castle was built by Kato Kiyomasa in 1607 and, in its fully completed form, had 130 walls, five kilometers of outer walls, 49 towers, 18 tower gates, and 29 castle gates.

HOSOKAWA MANSION

Hosokawa Mansion - a 300-year-old samurai residence built during the 1800s under Daimyo Gyōbu, a representative of the Hosokawa clan. The Hosokawa family was a powerful clan that governed Kumamoto during the Edo period (1603-1868). The mansion is an excellent example of the homes of wealthy samurai of that era. The house houses a museum showcasing furniture, personal belongings, clothing, lacquerware, kimonos, and other items of both everyday life and luxury, offering insight into the lives of affluent samurai during the Edo period.

Sui Enji Garden (Koe-en)

Suisenji Koen Garden near Kumamoto, founded in 1632 as a retreat for a local lord, is one of the most beautiful in Japan. The architect laid it out like a series of images inspired by the 53 stations of the Tokaido-the post road that connected imperial Kyoto with shogunal Edo. In their work, Japanese artists repeatedly drew on views of the Tokaido, creating painting cycles depicting each of its 53 stations. Walking along the paths of Suizenji Koen, visitors seem to see those same landscapes again. There is even a miniature version of Lake Biwa, and a hill whose outline suggests Mount Fuji, with tea houses where travelers once rested on the road between the two capitals.

Volcano Asso

Aso Volcano is an active volcano in the center of Kyushu Island. The volcano’s enormous caldera is the largest on our planet. Its maximum width is eighteen kilometers, its length is twenty-four, and its total area is more than two hundred and fifty square kilometers. The city of Aso and other small towns and villages are located here, with a combined population of more than eighty thousand people. The scenery around Aso is simply breathtaking-green meadows where cows and horses graze. Nature here feels like a fairy tale, which is what attracts so many tourists.

You can view a more detailed list of excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account.”