Beautiful night views of Kumamoto Prefecture, the Land of Fire, can be seen here! 6 popular night view spots!

Land of Fire, Kumamoto is located in the center of Kyushu and is also famous for the world’s largest caldera, Mount Aso. Additionally, Kumamoto's mascot, Kumamon, has become a nationally popular character.

Kumamoto Prefecture also has many night view spots. The lights of the city seen from the mountains of Kumamoto are very beautiful, attracting many tourists. Now, let’s introduce the popular night-view spots in Kumamoto Prefecture.

1. Mount Hanaoka

Hanaoka Mountain is a small hill with an elevation of 133m, located about a 20-minute walk north from JR Kagoshima Line "Kumamoto Station," where you can enjoy a casual hike. From Hanaoka Mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kumamoto City’s nightscape, and during the day, you can also see the Shirakawa River flowing through the city.

As you climb the stairs leading to the Stupa, which houses the bones of Buddha (Buddha relics) said to have been gifted from India, you reach the observatory park. The night view from here is a must-see spot in Kumamoto. There is also a restaurant, so enjoying the night view while dining is highly recommended.

2. Hill of Prayer Memorial Park

The "Prayer Hill Memorial Park" located on Mount Dokkō in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is situated slightly south of Hanaoka Mountain. It is also known as one of the most popular night-view spots in Kumamoto Prefecture. The park is easily accessible from Kumamoto City and has a parking lot, which contributes to its popularity.

From the parking lot, you will walk about 10 minutes up a slope to reach the observation deck, where you can also enjoy the night view along the way. You can experience the changing views of the night as you approach the observation deck. The gradual transition of the sky from evening to twilight is also something to enjoy. You can take a walk in the park or sit on the grass inside the park to enjoy the night view in a pleasant atmosphere. It’s easy to see why this spot is so popular.

3. Mount Kinpo

Mount Kinpo (Kinpozan) stands at an elevation of 665m. It is a symbolic mountain of Kumamoto City, visible from the city at all times. Mount Kinpo also features historical landmarks, shrines, and observation decks, and from the road near the summit, you can enjoy a view of Kumamoto City at any time. The Kinpozan Loop Road leading to the mountain is one-way, allowing you to move ahead without worrying about oncoming traffic, but be cautious as the road is narrow.

From the parking lot, it takes about a 5-minute walk along the guardrail to reach the summit. At the top, you can climb stairs to reach the observation deck, where you can enjoy a view of Kumamoto City. Let’s enjoy the stunning night view of Kumamoto, representative of the city, from Mount Kinpo.

4. Biotop Tatsuta no Mori Second Park

Biotope Tatsuta-no-Mori, located in a quiet residential area a bit away from the city center, is at the foot of Mount Tatsuta in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The park has three areas, and the night view from the semi-circular Second Park is the most popular and regarded as the best.

The elevation of the Second Park is 152m. The park is surrounded by roads, and from these roads, you can enjoy the night views of the Kumamoto East Bypass, the city of Kumamoto, and its suburbs without having to get out of the car. Since it is a popular night view spot, many people visit Biotope Tatsuta-no-Mori, Second Park, to see the night view on weekends.

5. Honmyoji Park

Honmyoji Park in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is located near Prefectural Road 1, which leads to Mount Kinpo (Kinpozan), and is also a historical site associated with Kato Kiyomasa, the famous lord who built Kumamoto Castle. The bronze statue of Kato Kiyomasa in Honmyoji Park evokes a sense of history, and during spring, the park is a popular cherry blossom spot.

From a small observation deck where you can enjoy the night view, you can see Kumamoto Castle and the city’s skyline. The observation deck has a map of the view and benches, making it a comfortable place to sit and enjoy the view. The site is equipped with lighting and basic restroom facilities (gender-neutral), making it a well-equipped night-view spot.

Nearby, there are other night view spots, such as Mount Kongō, Prayer Hill Memorial Park, and Hanaoka Mountain, but Honmyoji Park is a hidden gem.

6. Mount Kamizono

In the eastern part of Kumamoto City, there are three mountains called the Taku-Ma Three Mountains: Kamizono Mountain, Koyama Mountain, and Tojima Mountain. Among them, Kamizono Mountain is the only one where you can drive to the observation deck at the summit. It is a popular mountain for enjoying Kumamoto’s night view.

At 183m in elevation, Kamizono Mountain is smaller in size, and the four-story observation deck offers a view of the nightscape only from the top floor due to the surrounding trees. From this observation deck, you can see the sparkling lights of Kumamoto, including National Route 57 (Kumamoto East Bypass), the eastern part of Kumamoto City, and the new town of Hikari-no-Mori.

Although the parking lot is small and access involves narrow mountain roads, the spot is so popular that many people visit on weekends to enjoy the night view. Be sure to visit Kamizono Mountain, one of the most popular night view spots in Kumamoto Prefecture.

◎ Summary

What did you think? This was an introduction to some popular night-view spots in Kumamoto Prefecture. Due to the many mountains of various sizes, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy a night view of the city from the mountaintops. You can enjoy the night view from your car or sit on a bench to slowly appreciate it. There are various ways to enjoy these spots, making them loved by families, friends, and couples alike. When visiting Kumamoto, be sure to check out the night view spots as well.

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Beautiful night views of Kumamoto Prefecture, the Land of Fire, can be seen here! 6 popular night view spots!