Meiji-era novelist Natsume Sōseki (1867–1916) is honoured at the pretty 1870s home where he lived during his four years teaching English in Kumamoto. The home has some fine architectural details, and in the garden you can stroll in the master's footsteps. It's about a 100m walk west of the river, Tsuboi-gawa. The building was closed at research time due to earthquake damage and not expected to reopen until 2021.
Sōseki Memorial Hall
Kumamoto
Nearby Kumamoto attractions
1. Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centre
0.25 MILES
Near the prefectural art museum's Chibajo branch, this large facility displays local Higo inlay, Yamaga lanterns, porcelain and woodcarvings, many for…
2. Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art Chibajo Branch
0.27 MILES
The Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art's postmodern Chibajo Annexe was built in 1992 by Spanish architects Elias Torres and José Antonio Martínez-Lapeña…
3. Tenshūkaku
0.35 MILES
The castle's soaring black Tenshūkaku (main building, 29.5m tall) is today a historical museum with 6th-storey lookouts. The tower was closed at the time…
4. Kumamoto-jō
0.36 MILES
Dominating the skyline, Kumamoto's robust castle is one of Japan's best, built in 1601–07 by daimyō Katō Kiyomasa, whose likeness is inescapable around…
5. Honmaru Palace
0.41 MILES
The 2008 reconstruction of the Honmaru Palace fairly gleams with fresh wood and gold-leaf paintings, particularly in the Sho-kun-no-ma receiving room…
6. Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art
0.55 MILES
On the grounds of Ninomaru park, this art museum has ancient Buddhist sculptures, modern paintings and a recreation of an ancient burial mound.
7. Sakuranobaba Johsaien
0.58 MILES
This tourist complex at the foot of the castle grounds offers a one-stop opportunity to sample (and purchase) local foods, from fish cakes to tea to…
8. Wakuwaku-za
0.58 MILES
This family-friendly museum presents the history of Kumamoto and the castle from many angles, from the 10-minute video with English subtitles explaining…