Kirk had asked for suggestions re: good hanami spots. This is one of my favorites. About halfway up Mt. Tatsuda is a reservoir called Tatsudayama Haisuiike (立田山配水池) fronted by a long, grassy, narrow park lined with cherry trees and affording a gorgeous view of Kumamoto. It is equipped with (limited, free) parking (and is not too far so is accessible be bike or foot), a public restroom, and really delicious water. Few people visit as, even though it is visible from the city as a pink gash on the green mountain, few know how to get there.
The below links should clue you in. And here is a photo of me with my dog Devo and wife Sawako taken there yesterday. - William
http://www.kumamoto-waterworks.jp/wp-content/uploads/07/gallery_07_1/photo_07_01.html