Earthquake travel advisory
A strong earthquake struck Kumamoto on 28 July 2026. Some attractions, hotels and transport may be closed or disrupted, and Kumamoto Castle has taken further damage. Please check the current status of your accommodation, transport and destinations before you travel.
Advisory current as of July 2026.
Reigando
About This Destination
Reigando is a shallow natural cave on the western side of Mount Kinpo in Kumamoto City, within the grounds of the Zen temple Unganzenji. The swordsman Miyamoto Musashi spent his final years in Higo Province and, according to tradition, retreated to this cave to write The Book of Five Rings, his treatise on strategy and swordsmanship, around 1643. Unganzenji, also known as Iwato Kannon, is said to have been founded in the mid-14th century by a Zen monk from Yuan China. Along the path from the temple to the cave stand the Five Hundred Rakan, stone figures of Buddhist disciples said to have been dedicated over about 24 years by a Kumamoto merchant some two centuries ago. The site is open from 8:00 to 17:00 and adult admission is 300 yen.
Location
Prefecture: Kumamoto
Address: Kumamoto, Japan
Nearest Station: Kumamoto Station
Best time to visit: Pleasant year-round; spring and autumn are especially comfortable
Visitor Information
Credit Cards: Unknown
Access
Kumamoto, Japan
Get DirectionsFrequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Reigando?
It is easiest by car, about 21 kilometers from the Kumamoto Interchange. By bus, take a service from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, get off at Iwato Kannon-iriguchi, and walk about 20 minutes.
Why is Reigando famous?
It is the cave where the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi is said to have written The Book of Five Rings in his final years.
More in Kumamoto City
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