Kumamoto in One Day: Kumamoto Castle & Suizenji Park — Guide Junichi

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

We had arranged to meet in front of the Starbucks inside Kumamoto Station, and the guest arrived at 9:00, the agreed time. The guest was a visitor from Europe, and this was my first time guiding a single guest on their own.

First, we boarded the Kumamoto city tram in front of Kumamoto Station, got off at Hanabatacho stop, and walked toward Kumamoto Castle. At Kumamoto Castle, the Josaien Wakuwaku-za had been closed since the earthquake in July (scheduled to reopen in November), so we could not watch the good video with English subtitles that is normally shown there. Instead, we passed through Josaien and entered the Kumamoto Castle grounds. We walked along the elevated corridor built after the earthquake ten years ago, and I explained things such as the "two-style" stone walls along the way before entering the main keep. Inside the main keep, explanations are normally prohibited because they tend to become noisy, but since I was guiding only one guest this time, I gave as much explanation as possible while being careful not to disturb other visitors.

After finishing the tour of Kumamoto Castle, we walked on, stopping at a convenience store where the guest bought an umbrella, and then went to the Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center. This facility had reopened after renovation just half a year earlier, and we were able to see many traditional crafts from within Kumamoto Prefecture. After that, we walked to a department store and enjoyed Kumamoto ramen together at the food court in the basement.

After lunch, we took the Kumamoto city tram to Suizenji Garden, and after touring the grounds thoroughly, we stopped at a souvenir shop along the approach. We then returned to Kumamoto Station by tram. The guest was going to take a JR train afterward to watch a soccer match (a J3 game), so I explained the JR platform and how to board, and the tour came to an end.

Click here for more details: Kumamoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Junichi

Hello, my name is Junichi Matsumoto.
I will be your guide on this occasion. With warm hospitality, I will do my best to help you fully enjoy and appreciate the charm of Japan.

Before becoming a guide, I worked for the Kumamoto Prefectural Government and retired in March 2023. From 2003 to 2005, I was stationed in Montana, USA, which has a sister-state relationship with Kumamoto. During that time, I actively interacted with the local community together with my family, which gave me valuable cross-cultural experiences.

I am an easygoing person who quickly builds a friendly relationship with international guests. With a sincere smile and attentive care, I always strive to provide tours that are warm, enjoyable, and memorable. It would be my great pleasure to help you make unforgettable memories during your stay in Japan.