View source for Kumamoto

{{Short description|Designated city in Kyushu, Japan}}
{{About|the city in Japan|the prefecture with the same name where this city is located|Kumamoto Prefecture|other uses}}
{{Dist|Kumanovo}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=November 2008}}
{{Update|date = December 2011}}
}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Kumamoto
| official_name                   = Kumamoto City
| native_name                     = {{nobold|熊本市}}
| native_name_lang                = ja
| settlement_type                 = [[Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan|Designated city]]
| other_name                      = <!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| nickname                        = The Heart of Kyushu
| image_skyline                   = {{Multiple image
 | border      = infobox
 | total_width = 280
 | image_style = border:1;
 | perrow      = 1/2/2/2
 | image1      = View from Kumamoto Castle.jpg|px200{{!}}
 | image2      = Small tenshu & Uto turret & Large tenshu in Kumamoto-Csl.jpg{{!}}
 | image3      = Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza 20170103.jpg{{!}}
 | image4      = View of Haiden of Fujisaki Hachiman Shrine.jpg{{!}}
 | image5      = 090502 Shimo-tori Kumamoto Japan01s3.jpg{{!}}
 | image6      = Suizen-ji Jōju-en (42562295395).jpg{{!}}
 | image7      = SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto2.jpg{{!}}
}}
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = From top left: [[Skyline]] view of Kumamoto City from [[Kumamoto Castle]], [[Kumamoto Castle]], [[Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza]], [[Fujisaki Hachimangū|Fujisaki Hachimangū shrine]], [[Downtown]] {{ill|Shimotori-Shintengai of Kumamoto City|ja|下通}}, [[Suizen-ji Jōju-en|Suizenji Park]], [[Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal]]
| image_flag                      = Flag of Kumamoto, Kumamoto.svg
| image_seal                      = Emblem of Kumamoto, Kumamoto.svg
| seal_type                       = Emblem
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map                       = Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = Location of Kumamoto in [[Kumamoto Prefecture]]
| pushpin_map                     = Japan
| pushpin_relief                  = 
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Japan
| coordinates                     = {{coord|32|48|11|N|130|42|28|E|region:JP-43|display=it}}
| coordinates_footnotes           = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location -->| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = Japan
| subdivision_type1               = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Kyushu]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Kumamoto Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type3               = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3               = <!-- established -->
| established_title  = First official recorded
| established_date   = 558 AD{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
| established_title2 = City Settled
| established_date2  = April 1, 1889
| extinct_title                   = Now part of
| extinct_date                    = 
| founder                         = 
| named_for                       = <!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type                       = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat                            = <!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes            = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party                    = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Kazufumi Ōnishi<ref>{{cite web | url = http://showcase.japantimes.co.jp/kumamoto-city/ | title = Kumamoto City | work = JAPAN SHOWCASE | publisher = The Japan Times | access-date = 24 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mayors.or.jp/city_mayorssearch_result.php |script-title=ja:市長名の検索結果 | publisher = Japan Association of City Mayors | language = ja | access-date = 24 October 2015}}</ref>
| leader_title1                   = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1                    = <!-- display settings -->
| total_type                      = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref                       = Metric
<!-- area -->| area_magnitude                  = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes                  = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2                  = 390.32
| area_land_km2                   = 
| area_water_km2                  = 
| area_water_percent              = 
| area_note                       = <!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes             = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m                     = <!-- population -->
| population_footnotes            = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total                = 738907
| population_as_of                = June 1, 2019
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_est                  = 
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1                       = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1                     = +09:00
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type                = 
| postal_code                     = 
| area_code_type                  = 
<!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code                       = 
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1                 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1                 = 
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2        = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website                         = {{URL|http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/}}
| footnotes                       = 
| module                          = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
 | tree = [[Ginkgo biloba|Ginkgo]]
 | flower = [[Camellia]]
 | bird = [[Great tit]]
 | flowering_tree = 
 | butterfly = 
 | fish = 
 | other_symbols = 
}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''Kumamoto'''|熊本市|Kumamoto-shi}} is the capital [[Cities of Japan|city]] of [[Kumamoto Prefecture]] on the island of [[Kyushu]], [[Japan]]. {{as of|2019|06|01|df=US}}, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 738,907 and a [[population density]] of 1,893 people per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area is 390.32&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Nihongo|Greater Kumamoto|熊本都市圏}} had a population of 1,461,000, as of the 2000 census. {{as of|2010}}, Kumamoto [[Urban Employment Area|Metropolitan Employment Area]] has a GDP of US$39.8 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm|title = Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) Data|author = Yoshitsugu Kanemoto|publisher = Center for Spatial Information Science, The [[University of Tokyo]]}}</ref><ref>[https://data.oecd.org/conversion/exchange-rates.htm Conversion rates - Exchange rates] - OECD Data</ref> It is not considered part of the [[Fukuoka–Kitakyushu]] metropolitan area, despite their shared border. The city was designated on April 1, 2012, by [[City designated by government ordinance|government ordinance]].

==History==
{{See also|History of Kumamoto Prefecture}}

===Early modern period===

====Shokuhō period====
[[Katō Kiyomasa]], a contemporary of [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], was made ''[[daimyō]]'' of half of the (old) administrative region of [[Higo Province|Higo]] in 1588. Afterwards, Kiyomasa built [[Kumamoto Castle]]. Due to its many innovative defensive designs, Kumamoto Castle was considered impenetrable, and Kiyomasa enjoyed a reputation as one of the finest castle-builders in Japanese history.

====Edo period====
After Kiyomasa died in 1611, his son, Tadahiro, succeeded him. In 1632, Tadahiro was removed by [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]] and replaced with the [[Hosokawa clan]]. [[Hosokawa Tadatoshi]], the third lord of Kumamoto, was the patron of the artist<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009|title=Art of Miyamoto Musashi|url=http://www.ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com/liens.html|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=ecole-miyamoto-musashi.com}}</ref> and [[swordsman]] [[Miyamoto Musashi]]<ref>Wilson, ''The Lone Samurai'', pp. 104–105.</ref>

<gallery>
File:Statue of Hosokawa Tadatoshi.jpg|Statue of [[Hosokawa Tadatoshi]] within [[Suizen-ji Jōju-en]]
File:Hidari mitsudomoe.svg|[[Mon (emblem)|Mon]] of [[Miyamoto Musashi]], born in [[Ōhara, Okayama|Ōhara-chō]] [[Mimasaka Province|province of Mimasaka]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018|title=Mimasaka. Musashi Miyamoto|url=https://www.memorial-heiho-niten-ichi-ryu.com/mimasaka|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=Mémorial Heiho Niten Ichi Ryu}}</ref>
</gallery>

===Late modern period===
====Meiji period====
The current administrative body of the City of Kumamoto was founded on April 1, 1889.

====Showa period====
On July 1, 1945, near the end of World War II, Kumamoto was bombed in an [[Air raids on Japan|Allied air raid]] that destroyed one square mile, which was 20% of the city's area.<ref>{{Cite book|editor-last1=Craven|editor-first1=Wesley|editor-last2=Cate|editor-first2=James|title=The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki|publisher=The University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago|year=1953|series=The Army Air Forces in World War II. Volume V|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/V/AAF-V-21.html#page664|page=664|oclc=256469807}}</ref>

===Contemporary history===
====After World War II====
After the war, the Japanese Buddhist monk [[Nichidatsu Fujii]] decided to construct a [[Peace Pagoda]] atop Mount Hanaoka in the city to commemorate all those lost in war and to promote peace.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xCvMjYVqkMIC&pg=PA52|pages=52–53|title=Prophets of Peace: Pacifism and Cultural Identity in Japan's New Religions|first=Robert|last=Kisala|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|year=1999|isbn=9780824822675}}</ref> Inaugurated in 1954, it was the first of over 80 Peace Pagodas built by Fujii and his followers all over the world.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hzmJjiynUb8C&pg=PA81|page=81|author1-link=Jacqueline Stone|first=Jacqueline I.|last=Stone|title=Action Dharma: New Studies in Engaged Buddhism|editor1-first=Christopher S.|editor1-last=Queen|editor2-first=Charles S.|editor2-last=Prebish|editor3-first=Damien|editor3-last=Keown|publisher=Psychology Press|year=2003|isbn=9780700715947}}</ref>

====Heisei period====
On February 1, 1991, the towns of [[Akita, Kumamoto|Akita]], [[Kawachi, Kumamoto|Kawachi]], [[Tenmei, Kumamoto|Tenmei]], and [[Hokubu, Kumamoto|Hokubu]] (all from [[Hōtaku District, Kumamoto|Hōtaku District]]) were merged into Kumamoto. On October 6, 2008, the town of [[Tomiai, Kumamoto|Tomiai]] (from [[Shimomashiki District, Kumamoto|Shimomashiki District]]) was merged into Kumamoto. On March 23, 2010, the town of [[Jōnan, Kumamoto|Jōnan]] (also from Shimomashiki District) and the town of [[Ueki, Kumamoto|Ueki]] (from [[Kamoto District, Kumamoto|Kamoto District]]) were merged into Kumamoto.<ref name="Kumamotomerges">"[http://www.kokudo.or.jp/marge/kumamoto.html 都道府県別市町村変更情報：福岡] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406033446/http://www.kokudo.or.jp/marge/kumamoto.html |date=2010-04-06 }}." kokudo.or.jp. Retrieved on November 22, 2008. {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

A [[2016 Kumamoto earthquakes|series of earthquakes]] struck the area beginning April 14, 2016, including a tremor with [[moment magnitude]] 7.1 early in the morning of April 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36059487 |title=Japan earthquake: Powerful new tremor in Kumamoto|date=2016-04-15|access-date=2016-04-15|work=BBC News}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Kumamoto Station west gate2021.jpg|thumb|Downtown of Kumamoto]]

===Climate===
Kumamoto has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') with hot, humid summers and cool winters. There is significant precipitation throughout the year, especially during June and July. The average annual temperature in Kumamoto is {{convert|17.2|C}}. The average annual rainfall is {{cvt|2007.0|mm}} with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around {{convert|28.4|C}}, and lowest in January, at around {{convert|6.0|C}}. The highest temperature ever recorded in Kumamoto was {{cvt|38.8|C}} on 17 July 1994; the coldest temperature ever recorded was {{cvt|-9.2|C}} on 11 February 1929.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Kumamoto (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1890−present)
|Jan record high C = 22.5
|Feb record high C = 26.4
|Mar record high C = 27.4
|Apr record high C = 30.7
|May record high C = 34.4
|Jun record high C = 36.1
|Jul record high C = 38.8
|Aug record high C = 38.8
|Sep record high C = 37.0
|Oct record high C = 33.7
|Nov record high C = 28.9
|Dec record high C = 24.6
|Jan record low C = -9.2
|Feb record low C = -9.2
|Mar record low C = -6.9
|Apr record low C = -2.5
|May record low C = 1.3
|Jun record low C = 7.1
|Jul record low C = 14.3
|Aug record low C = 15.3
|Sep record low C = 6.7
|Oct record low C = 0.5
|Nov record low C = -3.8
|Dec record low C = -7.9
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 57.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 83.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 124.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 144.9
|May precipitation mm = 160.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 448.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 386.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 195.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 172.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 87.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 84.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 61.2
|year precipitation mm = 2007.0
|Jan mean C = 6.0
|Feb mean C = 7.4
|Mar mean C = 10.9
|Apr mean C = 15.8
|May mean C = 20.5
|Jun mean C = 23.7
|Jul mean C = 27.5
|Aug mean C = 28.4
|Sep mean C = 25.2
|Oct mean C = 19.6
|Nov mean C = 13.5
|Dec mean C = 8.0
|year mean C = 17.2
|Jan high C = 10.7
|Feb high C = 12.4
|Mar high C = 16.1
|Apr high C = 21.4
|May high C = 26.0
|Jun high C = 28.1
|Jul high C = 31.8
|Aug high C = 33.3
|Sep high C = 30.1
|Oct high C = 25.0
|Nov high C = 18.8
|Dec high C = 12.9
|year high C = 22.2
|Jan low C = 1.6
|Feb low C = 2.6
|Mar low C = 5.9
|Apr low C = 10.6
|May low C = 15.6
|Jun low C = 20.2
|Jul low C = 24.2
|Aug low C = 24.8
|Sep low C = 21.2
|Oct low C = 14.9
|Nov low C = 8.8
|Dec low C = 3.4
|year low C = 12.8
|Jan humidity = 70
|Feb humidity = 67
|Mar humidity = 66
|Apr humidity = 65
|May humidity = 67
|Jun humidity = 76
|Jul humidity = 76
|Aug humidity = 72
|Sep humidity = 71
|Oct humidity = 69
|Nov humidity = 72
|Dec humidity = 71
|year humidity = 70
|Jan sun = 133.0
|Feb sun = 141.1
|Mar sun = 169.6
|Apr sun = 184.0
|May sun = 194.3
|Jun sun = 130.8
|Jul sun = 176.7
|Aug sun = 206.0
|Sep sun = 176.4
|Oct sun = 187.1
|Nov sun = 153.7
|Dec sun = 143.4
|year sun = 1996.1
|Jan snow cm = 1
|Feb snow cm = 0
|Mar snow cm = 0
|Apr snow cm = 0
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Dec snow cm = 0
|year snow cm = 1
|unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 8.1
|Feb precipitation days = 9.0
|Mar precipitation days = 11.4
|Apr precipitation days = 10.7
|May precipitation days = 10.4
|Jun precipitation days = 15.2
|Jul precipitation days = 13.3
|Aug precipitation days = 11.3
|Sep precipitation days = 10.4
|Oct precipitation days = 7.2
|Nov precipitation days = 8.3
|Dec precipitation days = 8.3
|year precipitation days = 123.5
|source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=86&block_no=47819&year=&month=&day=&view=
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） 
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]
| access-date = May 19, 2021}}</ref>
}}

===Area===
[[File:Kumamoto Metropolitan Employment Area 2010.svg|thumb|150px|right|Map showing Kumamoto [[Urban Employment Area|Metropolitan Employment Area]]]]

====Wards====
Since April 1, 2012, Kumamoto has five wards ''(ku)'': 
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" | Wards of Kumamoto
|-
! rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Place Name
!
!Map of Kumamoto
|-
|[[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
|[[Kanji]]
!Color
!
|-
| style="text-align: center;" "width: 20px;" | 1
|[[Kita-ku, Kumamoto|Kita-ku]]
|北区
|Blue
| rowspan="5" |<div style="position:relative; float:right;">
[[File:Wards of Kumamoto city.png|alt=|200px|Map of the wards in Kawasaki.]]
</div>
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 2
|[[Nishi-ku, Kumamoto|Nishi-ku]]
|西区
|Yellow
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 3
|[[Chūō-ku, Kumamoto|Chuo-ku]]
|中央区<br />(administrative center)
|Purple
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 4
|[[Higashi-ku, Kumamoto|Higashi-ku]]
|東区
|Red
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 5
|[[Minami-ku, Kumamoto|Minami-ku]]
|南区
|Green
|}

=== Surrounding municipalities ===
; {{flagicon|Kumamoto}}[[Kumamoto Prefecture]]
* [[Gyokutō, Kumamoto|Gyokuto]]
* [[Kashima, Kumamoto|Kashima]]
* [[Kikuchi, Kumamoto|Kikuchi]]
* [[Kikuyō, Kumamoto|Kikuyō]]
* [[Kōsa, Kumamoto|Kōsa]]
* [[Kōshi, Kumamoto|Kōshi]]
* [[Mashiki, Kumamoto|Mashiki]]
* [[Mifune, Kumamoto|Mifune]]
* [[Tamana, Kumamoto|Tamana]]
* [[Uki, Kumamoto|Uki]]
* [[Uto, Kumamoto|Uto]]
* [[Yamaga, Kumamoto|Yamaga]]

===Demographics===
[[File:Kumamoto prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Kumamoto prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kumamoto in 2020 is 738,865 people.<ref name=zensus/> Kumamoto has been conducting censuses since 1920.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 267466
| 1925 | 290729
| 1930 | 312013
| 1935 | 329225
| 1940 | 321622
| 1945 | 389649
| 1950 | 413497
| 1955 | 454514
| 1960 | 474859
| 1965 | 502463
| 1970 | 534228
| 1975 | 574299
| 1980 | 619236
| 1985 | 654348
| 1990 | 680765
| 1995 | 708097
| 2000 | 720816
| 2005 | 727978
| 2010 | 734294
| 2015 | 740822
| 2020 | 738865
|align = none
|cols = 2
| footnote = Kumamoto population statistics<ref name=zensus>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/japan/kumamoto/ Kumamoto population statistics]</ref>
}}

==Government==
Kazufumi Ōnishi has been the city's mayor since December 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/sicho/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=7065&class_set_id=6&class_id=1862 |script-title=ja:市長のプロフィール | publisher = Kumamoto City | date = 3 December 2014 | language = ja | access-date = 24 October 2015}}</ref>

===Working mother incident===
In November 2017, Kumamoto politician [[Yuka Ogata]] was forced to leave the Kumamoto municipal assembly because she had brought her baby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/japanese-politicians-force-colleague-baby-leave-chamber-women|title = Japanese politicians force colleague with baby to leave chamber|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 24 November 2017}}</ref> The incident was reported by international media as an example of the challenges facing [[women in Japan]].<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/a-japanese-politician-took-her-baby-to-work-the-patriarchy-was-not-impressed/2017/11/24/e5bb695c-d0fc-11e7-8447-3d80b84bebad_story.html| title = A Japanese politician took her baby to work. Male colleagues made a fuss. - The Washington Post| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Kumamoto.airport.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kumamoto Airport]]]]
[[File:Amu Plaza Kumamoto04.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Kumamoto Station]]]]
[[File:Kumamoto city tram map JA.png|thumb|200px|[[Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau]]]]
[[File:Kumamoto-castle Type9701.jpg|thumb|200px|Kumamoto city tram]]
[[File:SAKURAMACHI Kumamoto.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal]]]]
[[File:Kita-Kumamoto Service Area of Kyushu Expressway 2.jpg|thumb|200px|Kitakumamoto Service Area]]
[[File:【熊本災害関連】001135546 国交省サイトより.jpg|thumb|200px|Port of Kumamoto]]

Local public transport is provided by the [[Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau]].

===Airways===
====Airports====
[[Kumamoto Airport]] is located in nearby [[Mashiki, Kumamoto|Mashiki]].

===Railways===
====High-speed rail====
On March 12, 2011, work on the [[Kyushu Shinkansen|shinkansen]] (high-speed bullet train) network was completed, establishing a direct high-speed rail link to [[Tokyo]] via [[Fukuoka]]'s [[Hakata Station|Hakata]] station.

;[[Kyushu Railway Company]] (JR Kyushu)
*[[Kyushu Shinkansen]]: '''[[Kumamoto Station]]''' -

====Conventional lines====
The JR [[Kumamoto Station|Kumamoto station]] provides rail links to Japan's extensive rail network.

;[[Kyushu Railway Company]] (JR Kyushu)
*[[Kagoshima Main Line]]: [[Tabaruzaka Station|Tabaruzaka]] - [[Ueki Station|Ueki]] - [[Nishisato Station|Nishizato]] - [[Sōjōdaigakumae Station|Sōjōdaigakumae]] - [[Kami-Kumamoto Station|Kami-Kumamoto]] - '''[[Kumamoto Station|Kumamoto]]''' - [[Nishi-Kumamoto Station|Nishi-Kumamoto]] - [[Kawashiri Station|Kawashiri]] - [[Tomiai Station|Tomiai]] -
*[[Hōhi Main Line]]: '''[[Kumamoto Station|Kumamoto]]''' - [[Heisei Station|Heisei]] - [[Minami-Kumamoto Station|Minami-Kumamoto]] - [[Shin-Suizenji Station|Shin-Suizenji]] - [[Suizenji Station|Suizenji]] - [[Tōkai-Gakuen-mae Station|Tōkai-Gakuen-mae]] - [[Tatsutaguchi Station|Tatsutaguchi]] - [[Musashizuka Station|Musashizuka]] - [[Hikarinomori Station|Hikarinomori]] -
;[[Kumamoto Electric Railway]]
*[[Kikuchi Line (railway)|Kikuchi Line]]: [[Kami-Kumamoto Station|Kami-Kumamoto]] - [[Kankanzaka Station|Kankanzaka]] - [[Ikeda Station (Kumamoto)|Ikeda Station]] - [[Uchigoshi Station|Uchigoshi]] - [[Tsuboigawa-kōen Station|Tsuboigawa-kōen]] - [[Kita-Kumamoto Station|Kita-Kumamoto]] - [[Kamei Station|Kamei]] - [[Hakenomiya Station|Hakenomiya]] - [[Horikawa Station|Horikawa]] -
*[[Fujisaki Line]]: [[Kita-Kumamoto Station|Kita-Kumamoto]] - [[Kurokamimachi Station|Kurokamimachi]] - [[Fujisakigū-mae Station|Fujisakigū-mae]]

===Tramways===
Trams run to a few suburbs near the downtown area.
;[[Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau]]

===Bus===
A large bus terminus, called the [[Kumamoto Bus Terminal|Kotsu Centre]], provides access to both local and intercity destinations.

===Taxi===
Several local taxi companies serve the Kumamoto metropolitan area and are the only 24-hour public transport in the city.

===Roads===
====Expressways====
*[[File:JP Expressway E3.svg|25px|link=|alt=E3]][[Kyushu Expressway]]

====Japan National Routes====
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0003.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 3]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0057.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 57]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0208.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 208]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0218.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 218]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0219.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 219]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0266.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 266]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0387.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 387]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0443.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 443]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0445.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 445]]
*[[File:Japanese National Route Sign 0501.svg|25px]][[Japan National Route 501]]

===Seaways===
====Seaports====
*Port of Kumamoto

====Ferry====
*Kyusyu Shosen: Kumamoto - Shimabara
*Kumamoto-Ferry: Kumamoto - Shimabara
*Korean Marine Transport: Kumamoto - [[Port of Busan|Busan]]

==Education==
===Universities===
*[[Kumamoto Gakuen University]]
*[[Kumamoto University]]
*[[Kyūshū Lutheran College]]
*[[Prefectural University of Kumamoto]]
*[[Shokei College]]
*[[Shokei Gakuin University]]
*[[Sojo University]]
*[[Tokai University]]

==Landmarks==
===Kumamoto Castle===
[[File:Kumamoto Castle 02n3200.jpg|thumb|Kumamoto Castle]]

The city's most famous landmark is [[Kumamoto Castle]], a large and once extremely well fortified Japanese castle. The ''[[donjon]]'' (castle central keep) is a concrete reconstruction built in the 1970s, but several ancillary wooden buildings from the original castle remain.  The castle was assaulted during the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] and sacked and burned after a 53-day [[siege]]. It was during this time that the tradition of eating ''[[Horse meat|basashi]]'' (raw horse meat) originated. ''Basashi'' remains popular in Kumamoto and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere in Japan, although these days it is usually considered a delicacy.

Within the outer walls of Kumamoto Castle is the Hosokawa Gyobu-tei, the former residence of the Higo ''[[daimyō]]''. This traditional wooden mansion has a fine [[Japanese garden]] located on its grounds.

===Religious sites===
The first of many [[peace pagoda]]s around the world was erected by Japanese Buddhist monk [[Nichidatsu Fujii]] atop [[Mount Hanaoka]] beginning 1947.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xCvMjYVqkMIC&pg=PA52|pages=52–53|title=Prophets of Peace: Pacifism and Cultural Identity in Japan's New Religions|first=Robert|last=Kisala|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|year=1999|isbn=9780824822675}}</ref>  Inaugurated in 1954, it was the first of over 80 built by Fujii and his followers all over the world.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hzmJjiynUb8C&pg=PA81|page=81|first=Jacqueline I.|last=Stone|title=Action Dharma: New Studies in Engaged Buddhism|editor1-first=Christopher S.|editor1-last=Queen|editor2-first=Charles S.|editor2-last=Prebish|editor3-first=Damien|editor3-last=Keown|publisher=Psychology Press|year=2003|isbn=9780700715947}}</ref>

Kumamoto is also the location of [[Takahashi Inari Shrine]] and [[Fujisaki Hachimangū]].

===Suizenji area===
[[File: Suizenji_jojuen_garden.jpg|265x265px|right|thumb |Suizenji jojuen garden]]

Kumamoto is home to [[Suizen-ji Jōju-en]], a formal garden neighboring Suizenji Temple approximately 3 kilometers southeast of Kumamoto Castle.  Suizenji Park is also home to the Suizenji Municipal Stadium, where the city's [[football (soccer)|football]] team, [[Roasso Kumamoto]], used to play regularly.  The team now uses the larger [[KKWing Stadium]] in Higashi Ward.

===Other notable sites===
[[Miyamoto Musashi]] lived the last part of his life in Kumamoto. His tomb and the cave where he resided during his final years (known as [[Reigandō]], or "spirit rock cave") are situated close by. He penned the famous ''Go Rin no Sho'' (''[[The Book of Five Rings]]'') whilst living here.

The downtown area has a commercial district centred on two shopping arcades, the Shimotori and Kamitori, which extend for several city blocks. The main department stores are located here along with a large number of smaller retailers, restaurants, and bars. Many local festivals are held in or near the arcades.

Cultural venues include the [[Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art]] and [[Kumamoto Prefectural Theater]].

==Culture==
===Sports===
====Sports teams====
;[[Baseball]]
*[[Hinokuni Salamanders]] of the baseball [[:ja:九州アジアリーグ|Kyusyu Asia League]] are based in Kumamoto.
;[[Soccer|Football]]
*[[Roasso Kumamoto]] in [[J.League]] is the local football club. 
;[[Basketball]]
*[[Kumamoto Volters]] of the basketball [[B.League]] are based in Kumamoto.
;[[Volleyball]]
*[[Forest Leaves Kumamoto]] of the [[Volleyball]] [[V.League (Japan)|V.League]] ([[V.Challenge League|V2]]) are based in Kumamoto.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Fujisakidai Baseball Stadium Kumamoto.jpg|Kumamoto Fujisakidai Baseball Stadium
File:Kumamoto kkw.JPG|[[Egao Kenko Stadium]]
File:Kumamoto-pref synthesis gymnasium 1.jpg|[[Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium]]
File:Kumamoto-city synthesis gymnasium 1.jpg|Kumamoto City Synthesis Gymnasium
</gallery>

====Sporting events====
The [[Kumamoto Castle Marathon]] is a yearly event in Kumamoto City. It was established in commemoration of Kumamoto becoming a [[City designated by government ordinance|designated city]] in 2012.<ref>Kumamoto Castle Marathon website [http://kumamotojyo-marathon.jp/outline_en.php Information on 2013 Kumamoto Castle Marathon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101145122/http://kumamotojyo-marathon.jp/outline_en.php |date=2012-11-01 }}</ref> The city also hosted the [[1997 World Men's Handball Championship]] and the [[2019 World Women's Handball Championship]].

==Sister cities==
Kumamoto is twinned with the following cities.

* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Billings, Montana|Billings]], [[Montana]], United States
* {{Flagicon|UK}} [[Bristol]], [[England]], United Kingdom
* {{Flagicon|PRC}} [[Guilin]], [[Guangxi]], People's Republic of China
* {{Flagicon|GER}} [[Heidelberg]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], Germany, since 1992<ref name=twintown>{{cite web|url=http://www.heidelberg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1123762_l1/index.html|title=Twinning|publisher=City of Heidelberg|access-date=2009-11-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610082945/http://www.heidelberg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1123762_l1/index.html|archive-date=2011-06-10}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Helena, Montana |Helena]], [[Montana]], United States
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[Rome, Georgia]], United States, since 1995
* {{Flagicon|USA}} [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], United States, since 1987<ref>[http://www.sanantonio.gov/iad/kumamoto.asp City of San Antonio International Relations Office. Retrieved 12 October 2011]</ref>
* {{Flagicon|KOR}} [[Ulsan]], South Korea, since 2010
* {{Flagicon|TWN}} [[Kaohsiung]], Taiwan, since 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clair.or.jp/e/exchange/shimai/prefectures/detail/43|title = Kumamoto Prefecture - the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2024}}
<!-- Please maintain alphabetical order by family name when adding new entries-->
* [[Aimer]], pop singer and lyricist.
* Naoichi and Mutsue Inomoto Fujimori, parents of [[Alberto Fujimori]], the 54th [[President of Peru]].
* [[Yuki Fukushima]], Japanese badminton player. 
* [[Lafcadio Hearn]], writer, lived in Kumamoto for three years, from 1891. 
* [[Higonoumi Naoya]], [[sumo]] wrestler.
* [[Sayaka Hirota]], Japanese badminton player. 
* [[Inoue Kowashi]], statesman.
* [[Sayuri Ishikawa]], [[enka]] singer
* [[Yuta Iwasada]], Japanese baseball player.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/1632823.html |date=April 16, 2016 |title=熊本出身の阪神岩貞７回０封、３戦連続２桁Ｋ実らず |trans-title=Kumamoto native Hanshin Iwasada 7 innings 0 shutout, 3 consecutive double-digit K fruitless |language=ja |work=[[Nikkan Sports]] |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Masahiko Kimura]], judoka.
* Kobato Miku, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, singer and creator of the rock band [[Band-Maid|BAND-MAID]].
* [[Noriko Kubo]], Japanese female fencer.
* [[Rie Kugimiya]], voice actress.
* [[Yuri Masuda]], vocalist from the group [[m.o.v.e]].
* [[Musashi Miyamoto]], famed swordsman, lived and died in Kumamoto, 1645. 
* [[Chisato Moritaka]], pop singer and lyricist.
* [[Eiichiro Oda]], manga artist, author of ''[[One Piece]].''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apricot.com/~fuu/paradise3/oda/index.html |title=Destination: Paradise |website=apricot.com |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Akari Ogata]], judoka.
* [[Yōko Shimada]], actress.
* [[Go Shiozaki]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[professional wrestler]], currently signed to the [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] promotion and Chairman of the Noah Wrestlers' Association.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1871 |title=Go Shiozaki |website=Cagematch |access-date=June 7, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Shōdai Naoya]], sumo wrestler.
* [[Soseki Natsume]], writer, lived in Kumamoto, 1896-1900. 
* [[Tochihikari Masayuki]], sumo wrestler.
* [[Momoko Ueda]], professional golfer.
* [[Tadako Urata]], ophthalmologist
* [[Sean Michael Wilson]], Scottish manga writer, living in Kumamoto since 2004, his books are often about the city. 
* [[Kaji Yajima]], educator, pacifist, president of the [[WCTU]] in Japan.
* [[Yokoi Shōnan]], scholar and political reformer.
* [[Seiki Yoshioka]], [[Puroresu|Japanese professional wrestler]]
* [[Isao Yukisada]], film director.

== See also ==
* {{Portal inline|Geography}}
* {{Portal inline|Japan}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kumamoto, Kumamoto|Kumamoto}}
{{Wikivoyage|Kumamoto}}
* [http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/ Kumamoto City official website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/html/foreign_language/en/menu-e.html Kumamoto City official website] {{in lang|en}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|4000503}}

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[[Category:Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan]]
[[Category:Cities in Kumamoto Prefecture]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
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