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The definitive list · Yatsushiro10 things to do in Yatsushiro
Ranked by one question: if you had a single call here, what would you regret missing? Every entry carries the round-trip time from the berth.
Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
Kumamoto Castle
Closed by the earthquake of 28 July 2026 and open again; the castle’s notice of 18 September 2026 lists normal operation. September to June 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:00; closed 29 December. Adult ¥800, ages 7–15 ¥300; cards, IC and QR payment accepted. On weekdays you enter and leave by the South Gate only, so on Monday 22 February 2027 too. Stone walls collapsed in about 40 places in the quake and can be seen from the elevated walkway.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, 10 min, ¥200, and about 10 min on foot. Taxi all the way about 44 km, about ¥13,000 before tolls, our estimateFull guide: Kumamoto CastleSuizenji Jojuen garden
A stroll garden around a spring-fed pond, with a mound shaped like Mount Fuji. 8:30–17:00, last entry 16:30, open every day; adult ¥500, child ¥200. It was checked the day after the July 2026 quake, found undamaged and reopened on 30 July. The tram ride time from Kumamoto Station is not confirmed; allow about 25 minutes.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Suizenji-koen and about 5 min on footFull guide: Suizenji Jojuen gardenSakuranobaba Josaien and the samurai troupe
The food and souvenir street below the castle, Sakuranokoji, and the tourist information centre are open normally; the Wakuwakuza castle museum here is closed after the quake. The samurai troupe gives talks and photos 11:00–12:00 and 14:30–15:30. Josaien is the stop for the free castle shuttle to the South Gate, every 10–15 minutes, 9:00–17:00. The food street has no closing day (souvenirs 9:00–18:00, restaurants 11:00–18:00); the tourist information centre closes 30–31 December.
Below the castle: the same route as the castle, or the Shiromegurin loop bus from Kumamoto Station, about 15 minGoogle MapsKumamoto ramen
Pork-bone broth with fried-garlic oil. Kokutei’s main shop, 2-1-23 Nihongi, is about 5 minutes on foot from JR Kumamoto Station, 10:30–21:00 with no regular closing day. Keika’s branch inside the station is 11:00–22:00, and Tengaiten is in the same station market, 11:00–22:00. Komurasaki in Kamitori serves 11:00–16:00 and 18:00–22:00.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; Keika is inside the station, Kokutei about 5 min on footGoogle MapsBasashi, horse-meat sashimi
Horse-meat sashimi, Kumamoto’s best-known dish. Suganoya’s Kumamoto Station shop serves lunch 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30) with no closing days; a five-kind basashi platter is ¥2,590 and the lunch set ¥2,980. Same-day and weekend tables are walk-in only. It is the one sit-down meal you can fit between the Shinkansen and the castle without a tram.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; the shop is inside Kumamoto StationGoogle MapsThe Kumamoto city tram
The tram is how you move between the castle, Kamitori, Suizenji and the station. Flat fare adult ¥200, child ¥100; you pay when you get off, with IC cards such as Suica, contactless cards or cash. Kumamoto-ekimae to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae is about 10 minutes. Service resumed on 29 July 2026, the day after the earthquake.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; trams leave from Kumamoto-ekimae, in front of the stationGoogle MapsKumamoto Station: Amu Plaza and Higo Yokamon Ichiba
The station is the last stop before the Shinkansen back, so this is where to buy and eat. Higo Yokamon Ichiba shops 9:00–20:00, restaurants 11:00–23:00; Amu Plaza shops 10:00–20:00, restaurants on 6–7F 11:00–22:00. Chojuan sells ikinari dango, sweet potato and bean paste in rice-flour dough, 9:00–20:00. Year-end hours may change.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; no tram neededGoogle MapsKumamon Port and its park
The only thing on foot from the ship. The terminal park has a Japanese garden, a bamboo path, lawns and Kumamon statues. It closed after the July 2026 earthquake and partly reopened on 2 November: the Big Kumamon and the twelve zodiac Kumamon can be seen, the Kumamon Choir area cannot, and some green areas are still fenced. On ordinary days the park opens 9:00–17:00; on cruise days it opens to suit the ship.
A short walk from the gangway: the park surrounds the terminalGoogle MapsKumamon Square
Kumamon’s own shop and stage, in the Tetoria Kumamoto building at 8-2 Tetori-honmachi, 10:00–19:00. On Saturday 26 December 2026 he appears 11:30–12:00 and 16:30–17:00; the morning slot is the one a ship day allows. The February 2027 schedule is not yet published, and whether entry is free is not confirmed by the official page.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to SuidochoGoogle MapsKumamoto City Museum
The city museum beside the castle grounds, back in normal operation after the quake. 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, adult ¥400. Closed on Mondays (the next day after a holiday) and 29 December–3 January, so open on Saturday 26 December 2026 and closed on Monday 22 February 2027. A three-venue ticket with the castle exists, but it includes the closed Wakuwakuza, so whether it is sold is not confirmed.
Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Sugidomo (Kami-Kumamoto line, from Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, not from the station) and about 5 min on footGoogle Maps
