Kumamoto Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Kyūshū region of Japan on the island of Kyushu. The capital city is Kumamoto.
History.
The area of Higo Province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration.
Geography.
Kumamoto Prefecture is in the middle of Kyūshū The western border of Kumamoto is the Ariake Sea and the Amakusa Islands. Fukuoka Prefecture and Ōita Prefecture are in the north. Miyazaki Prefecture is in the east. Kagoshima Prefecture is in the south.
Mount Aso (1592 m) is an active volcano in the eastern part of the prefecture.
National Parks.
National Parks are established in about 21% of the total land area of the prefecture, including
Shrines and Temples.
"Aso-jinja" is the chief Shinto shrines ("ichinomiya") in the prefecture.