Kumamoto Prefecture is located in the center of the Kyushu region of Japan, and its prefectural capital is Kumamoto City. As of June 1, 2019, the population is approximately 1,748,134, and the area is approximately 7,409 square kilometers.

[History and Culture]

Kumamoto Prefecture was formerly called "Higo Province" and changed to its current name after the Meiji Restoration. The prefecture is home to historical sites such as Kumamoto Castle, built by Kato Kiyomasa, and Suizenji Jojuen Garden. The prefecture's mascot character, "Kumamon," was created to coincide with the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, and has contributed greatly to tourism PR.

[Tourist attractions]

Kumamoto Prefecture has many attractive tourist destinations. Kumamoto Castle is known as one of the three most famous castles in Japan, and its magnificent structure attracts visitors. Mount Aso is one of the world's largest active volcanoes, and its vast caldera gives a sense of the grandeur of nature. In addition, beautiful gardens and historical buildings such as Suizenji Jojuen Garden and Tsujun Bridge are also worth seeing.