Reigando, a mountain cave in the hills west of Kumamoto city, is famous as the retreat where the legendary swordsman and philosopher Miyamoto Musashi spent his final years and wrote his celebrated treatise on strategy and swordsmanship, ‘The Book of Five Rings’ (Go Rin no Sho), around 1643. Undefeated in over sixty duels, Musashi withdrew to this quiet cave to meditate and set down his life’s wisdom, and the atmospheric grotto — with a small shrine and statue inside — has drawn pilgrims and admirers ever since. The cave belongs to the temple of Unganzenji, and the path to it winds past the extraordinary ‘Gohyaku Rakan’, a hillside of some five hundred weathered, moss-covered stone statues of Buddhist disciples, each with a different expression. Steeped in history and spiritual atmosphere, Reigando is a rewarding, slightly off-the-beaten-path stop for those interested in Musashi and samurai culture.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kamoto / western Kumamoto |
| Hours | ~Daytime (check locally) |
| Admission | Paid (low) |
| Time needed | 45–60 minutes |
| Best time | Year-round; autumn colour |
What to See
- The cave where Musashi wrote ‘The Book of Five Rings’.
- A small shrine and statue inside the grotto.
- The ‘Gohyaku Rakan’ — 500 moss-covered stone statues.
- The atmospheric temple of Unganzenji.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Kumamoto Castle in the city.
- Pair with basashi for a local meal.
- Read our Kumamoto overview .
Getting There
- By car: the practical way to the hillside cave.
- By bus: limited services toward the Unganzenji area.
Tips
Don’t miss the ‘Gohyaku Rakan’ — the hillside of five hundred expressive stone statues on the way to the cave — which is as memorable as the cave itself. Wear shoes with grip for the uneven path and steps, come in autumn for the colours, and read a little about Musashi beforehand to appreciate the significance of the site.
