The obvious day trip from Kumamoto is Mount Aso — Japan's largest active caldera, about an hour by train or bus to the east. Yamaga, north of Kumamoto, is a small spa town famous for its paper-lantern festival in August. The Amakusa islands to the southwest, reachable by bus and ferry, hold the remains of one of Japan's oldest Catholic communities, plus excellent seafood and beach walks.
Destinations
