"Short 10mins taxi ride from Kumamoto Train station, costs around 10USD for the taxi ride.
Within walking distance to Kumamoto Castle, if walking is not your thing, you can take a taxi to the entrance of Josaien, which will lead you to the entrance of Kumamoto Castle as well. The taxi ride was around 5mins, and cost less than 6USD.
It is also a short 10mins walk to Tsuruya Departmental Store, and plenty of cute shops in the nearby shopping arcade as well.
Great location. "