In a previous post, we looked at 5 things to do in Kumamoto. Here is a list of another 5 things you can enjoy doing in Kumamoto by yourself or with the family.
1. Prefectural Theatre
You might think that your little one is too young for the theatre, but studies have shown that participation in the Arts increases children’s ability to empathise with others. Whilst some of the Theatres programs are only suitable for adult audiences, it is worth considering taking your child along and also looking out for children’s shows.
2. Hike Hanaokayama
Hanaokayama is a great hill for hiking, taking only about 15 minutes to get to the summit. Some little ones will manage this all by themselves whilst others may prefer to be worn in a hiking backpack or toddler carrier.
Near the summit is a small Japanese temple that you can look at, and the views out across Kumamoto are spectacular! Showing your child where they live from a different perspective can be enormously beneficial. This helps to contextualise the idea of a city for children and gives them a sense of scale.
If the weather is good you can see Mount Aso steaming, providing lots of opportunity for learning vocabulary around the volcanic activity.
3. Ride the ferry to Nagasaki
For something, a little different consider riding the ferry to Nagasaki. The ride across is a novelty in and of itself to small children. Many toddlers take great interest in different modes of transportation so sailing on a boat will certainly capture their imagination. Allowing your child to stand outside and take in the great views and sounds will be a rich- sensory experience for them.
Once you get to Nagasaki there’s plenty to do, and looking around a different area and exploring plays into children’s natural curiosity!
4. Suizenji-Koen
This can be considered one of the main tourist attractions in Kumamoto and is a large, traditional Japanese garden set around a lake.
The garden is meant to look like the 53 stations that would have been located on the ancient road from Tokyo to Kyoto and you can also see miniature models of famous Japanese landmarks. This is a great cultural learning experience for young children and they will love the opportunity to be outdoors looking at different plants, flowers, and decorative items.
5. Aso Geopark
Sometimes we forget to explore the area in which we live. Being close to one of the largest active volcanoes in Japan is a great learning opportunity for our children. Taking a day to visit the Aso Geopark is something you won’t regret.
You will need to check whether the park is accessible on the day as sometimes it is closed due to volcanic fumes. The weather is also important, a foggy day is not ideal as it will impair the visibility.
It is possible to drive up into the geopark yourself or there are buses, and professional tours you can take. Usually, we would consider a professional tour when on vacation but may pass it up where we live, but some of the tours are extremely educational and you can learn a lot more about the geology of the area. If you fancy exploring by yourself then that’s fine too, and there is plenty for children to see.
