Kikuchi (菊池市, Kikuchi-shi) is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. The city was founded on August 1, 1958. As of March 31, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 49,455 and a population density of 180 persons per km2. The total area is 276.66 km2 (106.82 sq mi). On March 22, 2005, Kikuchi absorbed the towns of Shichijo and Shisui, and the village of Kyokushi (all from Kikuchi District) to create the new and expanded city of Kikuchi.