The garden outside the Kumamoto Prefectural Burial Mounds Museum may attract more crowds for its beautiful wisteria display, but the summer months bring a new look to the garden as lotus plants throng the meandering waterways. The best time to come is in the early morning, when the delicate buds open up to greet the sun; they close themselves off again by early afternoon. The garden, which is always free to enter, hosts an ongoing lotus festival from late June to the first weekend in August. A small onsite market sells fresh local produce and drinks to combat the humidity.
- 1 min read
Ancient Lotus Garden
A garden for early risers
By Mandy Bartok
Community writer
A dark pink bud closes up later in the afternoon
A large white lotus in the lower half of the garden
Lotus plants thrive in the waters under the garden's wisteria trellises
The best time to see the flowers is in the early morning
The path through the garden extends for about half a kilometer
Leafy lotus plants grow in the garden's meandering stream
Explore nearby
Join the discussion
Jerome Lee
10 years ago
The colours of that first picture is simply amazing, great work Mandy!
Thanks, Jerome! It struck me as such an unusual color for a lotus.
Yui Yamaguchi
10 years ago
Such beautiful photos. When the flower opens, is it true that there is sound like "pom"?
I don't know, Yui. I got there fairly early but not early enough to see any of them actually opening!
4 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1See Southern Japan with Kirishima As Your Gateway
Kagoshima - Sponsored -
2An Intellectual Journey Through Fujita Tsuguharu’s Legacy in Akita
Akita - Sponsored -
3Discover Hakodate: A Vibrant Port City in Hokkaido
Hokkaido - Sponsored -
4Experience Oarai: A Quiet Fishing Town Blessed by the Bounty of the Sea
Ibaraki - Sponsored -
5Exploring Japan Through the Seasons: Three First-Time Classic Tours
Culture -
6Spa Resort Hawaiians: A Tropical Escape with a Japanese Soul in Iwaki
Fukushima - Sponsored -
7A Taste of Shiga at COCOSHIGA
Tokyo - Sponsored -
8Discover Shiga Prefecture: Events at COCOSHIGA in Tokyo
Tokyo - Sponsored -
9An Immersive Look Into Akita’s Food Heritage
Akita - Sponsored -
10Ultimate Japan Car Culture Journey - From Auto Salon 2026 to the Open Road
Chiba
-
1Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2Tokyo Christmas Market
Tokyo -
3The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
4Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
5November Grand Sumo Tournament (Fukuoka)
Fukuoka -
6Nabana no Sato Illumination
Mie -
7Tori-no-Ichi
Tokyo -
8Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
9Tokyo Auto Salon
Chiba -
10Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
Tokyo