• Local Attractions

Kumamoto City Launched “Kumamoto Night” at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ) on February 3 - A Showcase of the City’s Charms to the World -

• delicious Japan
• March 3, 2025

As of April this year, it has been nine years since the great Kumamoto Earthquake struck in 2016. To commemorate this significant event, Kumamoto City (Mayor: Kazufumi ONISHI) hosted a special event called "Kumamoto Night" at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), where city officials shared the latest updates with foreign media, industry experts, and international guests. The event showcased the ongoing reconstruction of the historic Kumamoto Castle, the region's economic growth driven by the influx of the semiconductor company, and other significant initiatives undertaken by the city. It, moreover, served as a platform to promote the city's world-renowned natural underground water, vibrant food culture, and unique tourism offerings.

Kumamoto City, situated in the heart of Kyushu, Japan’s southern island, is only a 90-minute flight from Tokyo. As a regional center, the Kumamoto Aso Airport handles 44 international flights weekly, and the city boasts a direct Shinkansen line to Shin-Osaka, ensuring outstanding accessibility for international travelers.

Kumamoto Castle - Symbol of Kumamoto City

Kumamoto Castle, renowned for its impressive structure, the elegant curves of its stone walls, and its unique architectural techniques that blend with the natural landscape, is acknowledged as one of Japan's three great castles. The castle, however suffered significant damage during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, with repairs expected to take up to 30 years. Restoration efforts have progressed steadily, culminating in the completed repair of the Nagabei Long Wall in 2021. Following this, the main castle keep reopened to the public, and in 2022, the restoration of the Uto Turret and the Iidamaru Five-Story Turret commenced.

Visitors can now also enjoy watching the ongoing restoration process from the Special Observation Route where efforts can be witnessed firsthand. In addition, Kumamoto Castle's unique silhouette bottle, filled with the region’s plentiful natural groundwater, is available for purchase to support the restoration, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the recovery fund. On that account, as Kumamoto Castle continues its restoration and progression toward physical recovery, the approach to tourism also develops in response to these changes.　

TSMC’s Expansion and Developments in Kumamoto City

In December 2024, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)—the world's largest contract semiconductor manufacturer—began operations at its new factory in Kumamoto Prefecture. This marks TSMC’s first foray into Japan, and the economic ripple effect is projected to reach an impressive 11.2 trillion yen over the next decade. In response to this growth, the number of Taiwanese residents in Kumamoto City has increased fivefold over the past two years, now totaling 1,000.

To accommodate these changes, Kumamoto City is speeding up infrastructure development to strengthen related industries. This includes improving road quality, enhancing JR railway services, and expanding the city tram network. Furthermore, the city is promoting the integration of foreign residents by providing Japanese language classes and hosting local exchange events. These efforts involve collaboration between the public and private sectors to create industrial zones and sustainably support the settlement of foreign nationals in the area.

Kumamoto’s Water and Abundant Agricultural Products

One of the key factors influencing the decision to establish a semiconductor factory in Kumamoto was the region’s exceptional water quality. Kumamoto City is often called the "City of Water," due to its plentiful groundwater supply. In fact, 100% of the tap water comes from natural underground springs. Residents can experience the phrase, "mineral water straight from the tap," with water that is not only drinkable but also suitable for cooking and even bathing.

With a population of approximately 740,000, Kumamoto is the only large city in Japan where all of its tap water comes from underground springs, making it a rare global exception. Kumamoto can truly be called the "World’s Best Groundwater City."

Additionally, the city’s food culture, bolstered by its plentiful underground water, is a key element of Kumamoto’s attractiveness. Kumamoto is renowned for its agricultural products, particularly as Japan's top producer of watermelon, and also boasts an impressive variety of other agricultural goods, such as tomatoes, strawberries, mandarins, and seaweed, further solidifying the city’s reputation for high-quality produce.

MICE in Kumamoto City

Established in 2019, KUMAMOTO-JO Hall is a versatile complex situated in the center of Kumamoto City. The building features a bus terminal, shopping areas, a hotel, and residential spaces. Taking advantage of its central location and excellent connectivity, the hall has hosted various events, including international conferences like the Asia-Pacific Water Summit and major academic meetings in medical and scientific fields, drawing over 5,000 participants.

Kumamoto City also advocates for the "Sustainable MICE" (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) model and promotes the "Walkable MICE" initiative, allowing attendees to conveniently walk among event sites, dining areas, and tourist attractions. This dedication to sustainability has earned recognition, as Kumamoto City became the first city in Japan to attain the GDS Award in 2024—an accolade awarded to cities evaluated for their sustainability in hosting MICE events.

What Makes Kumamoto City Unique

Kumamoto City features a cutting-edge healthcare system, offering pediatric, internal medicine, and surgical services 24/7, every day of the year. The city, furthermore, continuously strives to improve the child-rearing environment and has upheld the achievement of "zero waiting lists for childcare" since 2020.

Kumamoto, moreover, boasts outstanding infrastructure that links land, sea, and air, providing easy access to the Kyushu Shinkansen, Kumamoto Bay, and the airport. As a captivating tourist spot and a center for innovative businesses, Kumamoto City presents a vibrant atmosphere enriched by nature, striking a balance that appeals to both locals and visitors.

No Discussion of Kumamoto is Complete Without KUMAMON

KUMAMON, the official mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, was created in March 2010 to promote the launch of the entire Kyushu Shinkansen line. After winning the inaugural "Yuru Chara Grand Prix" in 2011, KUMAMON gained national recognition. Officially acknowledged as a civil servant, KUMAMON serves as both the Director of Sales and the Director of Happiness for Kumamoto Prefecture, traveling across Japan and even internationally to highlight Kumamoto's charm and appeal.

©2010 kumamoto pref.kumamon