Kumamoto

Earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 and 7.3 struck on April 14 and 16, 2016 respectively, with aftershocks continuing throughout the area over the following weeks. The quakes claimed 49 lives, caused damage to more than 100,000 residential buildings and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.

A prefectural official expressed hope that increasing visitors from abroad will help the quake-hit region’s economy recover.

There are no facilities at the dock. The town is 10 km away. Take cruise provided transportation or a taxi.

With a history dating back thousands of years, Kumamoto is a hidden paradise offering a perfect combination of stunning, upspoilt natural scenery and a rich tapestry of historic events. Its premier attraction is the, now damaged, Kumamoto Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Japan.

Suizenji Jojuen Garden A beautiful Japanese landscape garden featuring a traditional strolling path, a picturesque pond, and tea houses. The garden is designed to represent the 53 stations of the Tokaido, an ancient highway in Japan.

Located about an hour’s drive from Kumamoto, Kurokawa Onsen is a charming hot spring town known for its natural hot springs and scenic surroundings.

Explore local markets and shopping districts such as Shimotori and Kamitori, where you can find regional products, souvenirs, and Japanese sweets.

The currency in Japan is the yen. It comes in denominations of ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes, as well as ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1 coins.

ATMs in Japan are becoming more useful, and most can be used to withdraw funds from overseas accounts. Post offices also offer ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted at a majority of stores and restaurants in large urban areas, but if you plan on spending any time in rural areas, be sure to carry sufficient cash. Japan is still very much a cash society and some stores, hotels and restaurants-regardless of location-refuse credit cards.

Don't tip, as it's considered rude!