A Journey to Discover Higo Hosokawa Culture in Kumamoto City
The headquarters of the Higo domain was Kumamoto Castle, which was ruled by the Kato family (descended from famed castle architect Kato Kiyomasa) and the Hosokawa family. After control was transferred from the Kato family, Hosokawa Tadatoshi came in from the Kokura domain in Buzen to rule. The Hosokawas governed the Kumamoto domain until the 19th century.
This tour will show you various locations related to the Hosokawa family in Kumamoto City. Kitaoka Natural Park is located near Kumamoto Station and the site of Myogeji Temple there (the family temple of the Hosokawas) is designated as a national historic site, as is the site of Taishoji Temple at Tatsuda Natural Park. It is a quiet and peaceful park with stone-paved paths and stone lanterns. Suizenji Jojuen, located in central Kumamoto City, is a Momoyama-style strolling garden constructed by the Hosokawa family during the Edo period (17th-19th centuries), where you can enjoy the natural beauty and changing of the seasons in the garden. A tea house called Koshoken is located in Tatsuda Natural Park and was restored based on original plans by Hosokawa Tadaoki, one of Japan's masters of tea ceremony. The water basin (chozubachi) in Koshoken was one used by Hosokawa Tadaoki in Kyoto, and was supposedly also used Toyotomi Hideyoshi and tea master Sen no Rikyu. This tour includes a tea ceremony at Koshoken.
Kitaoka Natural Park
Kitaoka is a park located at the foot of Mt. Hanaoka in Kumamoto City and, along with the site of Taishoji Temple in Tatsuda Natural Park, the site of Myogeji Temple (the family temple of the Hosokawas who ruled Kumamoto) here has been designated as a national historic site.
Kitaoka Natural Park
The autumn foliage is extremely beautiful and is beloved by many locals.
Suizenji Jojuen
In 1632, Hosokawa Tadatoshi, the first lord of the Higo Hosokawa domain, built a tea house that was later completed during the time of the third lord, Tsunatoshi.
Suizenji Jojuen
The garden, centered around a pond fed from underground water from Mount Aso and featuring gently undulating man-made hills and floating stones, allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and changing of the seasons in the garden.
Yusuitei
Many items are on display here, including tea ceremony utensils from the Higo Koryu school of tea ceremony passed down in Kumamoto; bows and arrows and saddles from Takedaryu yabusame mounted archery (a school of archery dating back over 1,000 years); and Hosokawa bonseki miniature rock landscapes.
Suizenji-na lunch at Matsuya Honkan
Located a 3-minute walk from Suizenji Jojuen, enjoy lunch at Matsuya Honkan, which has 69 years of history. The specially prepared menu features Suizenji-na, a traditional leafy vegetable of Kumamoto.
Tatsuda Natural Park
The four graves contain the tombs of the first-generation Hosokawa family head Fujitaka and his wife, along with the second-generation Tadaoki and his wife Gracia.
Tea ceremony at Koshoken
The Koshoken tea house nestled within Tatsuda Natural Park was restored in 1922 based on original designs by Hosokawa Tadaoki who, despite being a warrior, was said to be the greatest tea ceremony master in Japan. The stone water basin (chouzubachi) at Koshoken was used by Hosokawa Tadaoki in Kyoto, and is said to have also been used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Tea ceremony at Koshoken
After being dismantled and repaired in 2008, complete restoration was carried out in conjunction with the 2022 Kumamoto Flower and Green Exposition, and it has regained its original beauty. Tour participants will join a tea ceremony at Koshoken.
- Tour Capacity:
- 15-20 Participants
- Meals Included:
- Includes lunch (0 nights, 1 day)
- Meeting Place:
- Example: Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal Group Bus Stop
3-10 Sakuramachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0805 - Note:
- ・This tour is a custom-designed tour. After receiving your application for the tour, we will discuss the itinerary and other details with you to create the tour content. (This is not a regularly scheduled tour)
・In cases of severe weather or unavailable experience dates, the course content may be altered.
・Tour stops can be changed. Please consult with us for more details.
- Related Links:
- Kitaoka Nature Park（Kumamoto City Sightseeing Guide）
- Suizenji Jojuen
- Suizenji Higo Hosokawa Cultural Center, Yusuitei（Kumamoto City Sightseeing Guide）
- Ryotei Matsuyahonkan Suizenji
- Tatsuda Nature Park（Kumamoto City Sightseeing Guide）
- Contact:
- Kumamoto International Convention & Tourism Bureau
Phone: 096-359-1788
E-mail: mice★kumamoto-icb.or.jp (Please change the ★ to an @ when emailing us)
Around 9AM
1. Kitaoka Natural Park
2. Suizenji Jojuen
3. Yusuitei
4. Matsuya Honkan (Lunch)
5. Tatsuda Natural Park (Tea ceremony at Koshoken)
Arrival: Example - Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal
Around 3:30PM