Shirakawa Spring
白川水源
Shirakawa Suigen is a clear spring pond in Minamiaso Village, at the foot of Mount Aso. It is one of Japan's '100 Best Waters' chosen by the Ministry of the Environment. All year, water at about 14°C flows out at around 60 tonnes per minute and becomes the Shirakawa River that runs through Kumamoto City. Visitors can drink the spring water and take some home.
Visitor information
- Admission
Environmental conservation donation: 100 yen for high school students and older; free for junior high students and younger.
- Getting there
About 15 minutes on foot from Minamiaso-Shirakawa-Suigen Station (Minamiaso Railway).
By car, about 40 minutes from Kumamoto Airport and about 25 minutes from Kusasenri.
Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.
Good to know
- You may drink the spring water freely and take it home.
- Heat-treated water and empty bottles are sold on site. Parking is available.
Tips for Muslim visitors
- The spring water can be drunk as it is.
- Draw water with the ladles and funnels provided; do not put bottles, tanks, hands, feet, phones or cameras into the water intake area.
- Natural sites may have few facilities. Bring water, a travel prayer mat and a qibla app, and check the weather; mountains and lakes can be much colder than the city.
- Restrooms for wudu can be far apart on trails. Many Muslim travellers carry a small water bottle for wudu.
- Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Kumamoto and the verified places to pray nearby.
- Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.
Prayer times in Kumamoto
Today (5 Nov 2026)
- Fajr05:04
- Sunrise06:38
- Dhuhr12:03
- Asr15:01
- Maghrib17:23
- Isha18:47
Times are calculated for Kumamoto City. Times may differ elsewhere in Kumamoto.
Places to pray near Shirakawa Spring
We have not verified a place to pray near here yet. Many large stations, airports and department stores in Japan have prayer rooms.
Halal food near Shirakawa Spring
We have not verified a halal restaurant near here yet. Until then, these guides can help you choose food safely:
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Map
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Photo: STA3816, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources (Checked 5 Nov 2026): kumamoto.guide, minamiaso.info