Private Tour

Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kumamoto!

Kumamoto, located on Kyushu island in southern Japan, strikes a perfect balance between a bustling city fringed by tranquil countryside. The center of the city features its greatest landmark, Kumamoto-jo castle, but a tempting collection of restaurants, bars and shops can also be found nearby.

Let us know what you would like to experience, and your guide will arrange a four-hour tour that's best for you!

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Note*3: This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot. No Private Vehicle is included.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Licensed Local English-speaking Guide

Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kumamoto city

Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list

Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses

Private transportation

This tour does not allow for pick up at the Yatsuhiro Port.

You cannot combine multiple tour groups.

Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle (熊本城, Kumamotojō) is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. With large castle grounds and a variety of buildings, Kumamoto Castle offers its visitors one of the most complete castle experiences in Japan. Only a few structures have survived the centuries since the castle's construction in 1607 intact. The castle keep and most other buildings are modern reconstructions, but the reconstructions are mostly of a high quality and new buildings are continually being added. With about 800 cherry trees, the castle becomes a popular cherry blossom spot usually in late March and early April.

15 minutes • Admission Not Included

Suizenji Jojuen Garden

Suizenji Garden (水前寺成趣園, Suizenji Jōjuen) is a spacious, Japanese style landscape garden in Kumamoto, best enjoyed by strolling along a circular path. It was built by the Hosokawa family in the 17th century. The garden reproduces the 53 post stations of the Tokaido, the important road, which connected Edo with Kyoto during the Edo Period, in miniature form, including a small Mt. Fuji.

15 minutes • Admission Not Included

Options

Kumamoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

10 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

The guide Kenzo was...
Susan B,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00
The guide Kenzo was great. It was a very hot day and he did a great job with managing our needs with the heat. We went to the Kumamoto castle Suizenji gardens and Uchitsuboi author house plus lunch at Akaushi yoka yoka. Kenzo was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. He structured the tour by asking what we were interested in. He also went out of his way after the tour was over to walk us to a Lawsons store so we could pick up our concert tickets for the next day and helped translate the machine. Above and beyond. Great tour. Great guide. Great places to visit.
Phenomenal Tour Guide
Maxine B,
Aug 25, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Our tour guide Jun was very informative. He had a binder with visuals to ensure nothing would get lost in translation. In addition he assisted us with transportation to and from our cruise ship. He is one of the best tour guides we have encountered.
Learning about Japan’s culture and history
Jonathan U,
Apr 10, 2023
- Viator
5.00
This tour is extremely fun and very informative about the culture of Japan and its history. My tour guide. Mikeo was very friendly and very patient with me. She is the best and I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone wants to know about Japan’s culture and history.