Japan Guide
Kyūshū
Kumamoto
Situated halfway down the west coast, within striking distance of Aso to the east and Unzen to the west, KUMAMOTO makes a good base for exploring central Kyūshū. The city itself is reasonably attractive and boasts a couple of worthwhile sights, namely the fearsome, fairy-tale castle dominating the town centre, and one of Japan's most highly rated gardens, Suizenji-jojuen, in the western suburbs. Wars and development have meant that little else of particular note survives, though you've got to admire a city which invented the endearingly offbeat "Kobori-style" swimming which "involves the art of swimming in a standing posture attired in armour and helmet".