How to Get to Shogoji

By bus from Kumamoto:  take the bus for “Kikuchi Onsen” from the front of JR Kumamoto station or Kotsu Center, get off at “Kikuchi Plaza,” then take a taxi from to Shogoji (about 3000yen).

By car from Kikuchi (takes about 30 minutes):  Follow signs to “Ryumon Dam,” but go past the dam itself, through a series of tunnels, until you see a large wooden sign on the right which reads “聖護寺” (Shogoji—the same characters found on the opening page of this site, but in reverse).  Turn right at the sign and descend into Hogi village.  Just after you cross the bridge, take the small road leading up the mountain; the entrance to Shogoji will eventually be on the left, marked by a larg