One of Japan's three premier castles, Kumamoto Castle is famed for its imposing black keep and steep 'musha-gaeshi' stone walls built by the warrior lord Kato Kiyomasa. Your guide shares the castle's history and its remarkable recovery from the 2016 earthquake as you take in the grounds and panoramic views.

Suizenji Jojuen is an elegant Japanese strolling garden created by the Hosokawa lords in the 17th century. Its centerpiece is a miniature recreation of the 53 stations of the Tokaido road, including a small Mount Fuji. Walk the landscaped paths with your guide around the spring-fed pond, a tranquil contrast to the castle.

At the foot of Kumamoto Castle, Sakuranobaba Josaien is a lively district recreating an Edo-era castle town. Browse stalls and shops with your guide and sample Kumamoto specialties such as basashi, karashi-renkon, and ikinari dango, while learning about the area's history at the small museum.

Set within the Kumamoto Castle grounds, Kato Shrine is dedicated to Kato Kiyomasa, the revered warrior-lord who built the castle. Your guide explains his legacy as you enjoy some of the finest close-up views of the castle's stone walls and keep framed by the shrine's torii gate.

Honmyoji is the grand hillside temple complex housing the mausoleum of Kato Kiyomasa. Climb the stone steps lined with lanterns alongside your guide to the inner sanctuary, where you can take in sweeping views over Kumamoto city and learn about the lord's enduring local reverence.

The Former Hosokawa Gyobu Residence is an elegant samurai mansion of the Hosokawa clan, with tatami rooms, a tea house, and a serene garden. Stroll the wooden verandas with your guide to glimpse the refined daily life of a high-ranking samurai family near the castle.

Kengun Shrine is one of Kumamoto's oldest and most revered shrines, founded over a thousand years ago and long associated with martial valor. Walk the atmospheric approach beneath ancient trees with your guide and learn about its role in local festivals and the spiritual life of the city.

Suizenji Ezuko Park surrounds the spring-fed pond that feeds the famous garden, offering shaded walking paths and a relaxed local atmosphere. Stroll here with your guide to enjoy the greenery and learn how the pure spring water has shaped the area's gardens and culture.