Welcome to Tatsuda Natural Park

Hello, travelers!
It’s Maru, your SaruKuma writer 🙂🙃

Today, I’m taking you to Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, to a hidden gem called
“Tatsuda Natural Park”.

Although it’s called a park, it’s actually the historic site of Taishoji Temple, the family temple of the Hosokawa clan!

It’s a wonderful spot for a relaxing stroll with the family 👦👧 In autumn, you can enjoy stunning fall foliage, too.

Towering ancient trees greet you at the entrance — your heart instantly fills with excitement! 🌳🍃

Even though it’s right near the city center, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled far away from the everyday hustle 😍

The park is located behind Kumamoto University. The road leading there is a bit narrow, so please drive carefully.

Good news — there’s a spacious parking lot, so no need to worry about where to park 🚙=꒱‧*

Here’s the admission fee info!

Restrooms are located on the right side of the entrance.

As you walk further, you’ll discover a charming pond with ducks gliding across the water 🦆

You can usually walk all the way around the pond, but during my visit, part of the path was under construction, so I had to turn back partway (^^;;

Behold the stunning moss garden, blanketed in lush green moss 😊
Apparently, maintaining it is no small feat!

This is the reconstructed traditional tea house, Koshoken.

You can admire it from a viewing fence a little distance away.

Venture deeper, and you’ll find numerous tombs of generations of the Hosokawa clan standing in solemn rows 😲

Surrounded by towering bamboo and lush greenery,
this place is wrapped in a mysterious silence — as if time itself has stood still 🌳🍃

Where am I? What era is this?… It really feels that way.

Top Highlights of Tatsuda Natural Park

The must-see highlight is “Yotsu Gobyo” (the Four Mausoleums). The photo above shows the entrance gate.

Inside the shrine hall stand four magnificent tombs in a row.
They belong to the first and second generations of the Hosokawa lords and their wives.

One of them belongs to the famed Hosokawa Gracia (Lady Gracia). She was the daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide and the wife of Hosokawa Tadaoki, the second-generation lord — a fascinating figure in Japanese history.

Even further inside, you’ll find a memorial pagoda dedicated to the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (=^^=)
A truly unmissable destination for samurai and history enthusiasts! ✨

Even if history isn’t your thing, the natural beauty here is guaranteed to soothe your soul 🌳🍃
How about a quick trip back in time, just minutes from the city?

Tatsuda Natural Park Information

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please verify before your visit.