Kumamoto

Kumamoto has many natural wonders created by volcanic activity, including Aso, a huge caldera, and Kurokawa Onsen, a hot spring town with a traditional atmosphere. The picturesque islands of Amakusa have a rich history as they were a heartland for Japan's hidden Christians centuries ago. Today, wild dolphins can be spotted off their coast. In the prefectural capital lies Kumamoto Castle, which dates from the 17th century and is being rebuilt meticulously following an earthquake in 2016.