Did you know Kumamoto Castle has another name, "Ginkgo Castle"? Legend has it that Kato Kiyomasa, the famous castle builder, planted ginkgo trees here with his own hands more than 400 years ago as a food store in case of siege. Every year from late November to early December, the great ginkgo in front of the keep turns gold, and the black keep against golden leaves is Kumamoto's signature autumn view.
Kumamoto Castle in autumn: the essentials
- Best time: late November to early December (about two weeks later than Kikuchi Gorge)
- Tickets: special viewing area 800 yen for high-school students and older / 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students (preschoolers free); 9:00–17:00
- Free areas: Ninomaru Plaza and the area around Josaien also have plenty of ginkgo and autumn leaves
- Must-take photos: the great ginkgo in front of the keep, and the keep framed by autumn leaves from the Kato Shrine side
A half-day autumn route in the city
- 09:00 Kumamoto Castle (special viewing area + the great ginkgo)
- 11:00 Local snacks and souvenirs at Josaien
- 13:00 Suizenji Jojuen Garden: autumn leaves reflected in the water of this Momoyama-style garden
- 15:00 Coffee break in the Kamitori and Shimotori shopping arcades (our Kumamoto café map)
Kumamoto's autumn relay calendar
| When | Where | Drive from MOVA VILLA |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-October | 1.5 million cosmos in Kikuchi | About 15–20 min |
| Late October to mid-November | Kikuchi Gorge autumn leaves / Aso pampas grass | About 30–40 min |
| Late November to early December | Kumamoto Castle ginkgo and autumn leaves | About 35 min |
| From late December | Kurokawa Onsen Yuakari light-up | About 60 min |
FAQ
When are the ginkgo and autumn leaves at Kumamoto Castle at their best?
The ginkgo and autumn leaves at Kumamoto Castle are at their best from about late November to early December (in recent years the forecasts have pointed to the end of November). That's about two weeks later than Kikuchi Gorge, so you can enjoy one after the other.
Why is Kumamoto Castle linked with ginkgo trees?
Kumamoto Castle's other name is Ginkgo Castle: legend has it that Kato Kiyomasa planted ginkgo trees himself when he built the castle, as food in case of war. The great ginkgo in front of the keep is the castle's iconic landmark, and it is at its most spectacular when its golden leaves frame the keep.
Do I need a ticket for Kumamoto Castle? What are the opening hours?
Tickets for the special viewing area are 800 yen for high-school students and older and 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students (preschoolers free). It's open 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:00; 16:30 for the main keep). You can also enjoy the ginkgo trees in the free areas at Josaien and Ninomaru Plaza.
Where else in the city can I see autumn colours?
Suizenji Jojuen Garden (garden foliage, about 17 minutes by tram), Kenmotsudai Arboretum (in a corner of the Kumamoto Castle grounds, open only on designated days) and Tatsuda Nature Park (by bus or car) are all in the city, so you can fit them into a half-day trip.
Where should I stay after seeing Kumamoto Castle in autumn?
MOVA VILLA Koshi is about 35 minutes by car from the city centre, and our private villas come with free parking. The next day you can carry on to Kikuchi Gorge or Aso for more autumn colours, making it a perfect link between the city and the next leg of your trip.
Your autumn base: all of Kumamoto's autumn from one place to stay
The four spots in the table above are spread across Kumamoto, but MOVA VILLA's four areas sit right in the middle: 35 minutes to the city, 20–30 minutes to Kikuchi and 30–40 minutes to Aso. Make a private villa your base and head off in a different direction each day, without dragging your luggage from hotel to hotel.
👉 Compare our four areas and choose your villa | Availability in Koshi
Further reading: Kikuchi Gorge autumn leaves | What to wear in Kumamoto in autumn and winter
Photo: Totti (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)
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