Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Located in the heart of Kyushu, Kumamoto Prefecture offers many places to enjoy sightseeing, including the majestic mountains of Aso, hot springs, ranches, and gourmet food.
From among them, we pick up Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital, for this issue.
We will introduce a statue of Luffy from the world popular manga “ONE PIECE,” Suizenji Seishuen, known for its traditional Japanese garden, one-of-a-kind coffee shops, and Kumamoto’s gourmet food.

Kumamoto Prefectural Government Promenade, Luffy Statue

ONE PIECE,” the world’s most popular manga representing Japan
Kumamoto Prefecture was severely damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake that occurred in 2016.
The author Eiichiro Oda, who is also a native of Kumamoto Prefecture, participated in the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Reconstruction Project in support of reconstruction.
In 2018, a statue of Luffy was installed at the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Promenade as a symbol of reconstruction.
Many tourists still visit the site to take pictures with the statue of Luffy.
It is a must-see spot for ONE PIECE fans.

Kumamoto Prefectural Government Promenade Luffy Statue
6-18-1 Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
https://op-kumamoto.com/#about

Suizenji Seishuen

Suizenji Seishuen is a traditional Japanese garden located in Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City.
Visitors can appreciate the garden by walking around the park.

The beauty of the garden is wonderful, but the water is also amazingly beautiful, so clear and transparent that you can clearly see the swimming carp.
There are also teahouses and shrines in the park, where visitors can spend time and forget about their hectic daily lives.

Matcha green tea is available with a view of the garden.

Suizenji Seishuen
8-1 Suizenji Koen, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Admission: Adults (16 years and older) 400 yen, Children (6-15 years) 200 yen
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (admission until 4:30 pm)
http://www.suizenji.or.jp/

Coffee Arrow

Coffee Arrow is a well-known store where celebrities from all walks of life and coffee fans gather from all over Japan.
It is said that customers from overseas also visit the store.
The menu is limited to hot coffee, and coffee is automatically served when you sit down.
The one and only amber-colored coffee, made from carefully selected beans that have been shallow roasted, is completely different from any coffee you have ever had before.
Even people who do not like coffee can enjoy drinking this coffee.

Coffee Arrow
10-10 Hanabatamachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Business hours:
Monday-Saturday 11:00-22:00
Sunday & Holidays 14:00-22:00
https://www.coffee-arrow.jp/

Kumamoto Yatai Mura

Kumamoto Yatai Mura is a place where you can enjoy various Kumamoto delicacies.
There are 17 restaurants and antenna stores.
Among the many restaurants, we visited “Dai-chan” this time.

Kumamoto is famous for its horse sashimi. Horse sashimi is horse meat sashimi.
It is eaten raw without being cooked. The right side of the photo is horse liver sashimi and the left side is horse sashimi.
The liver sashimi has a unique taste with a little bitterness.

Kumamoto is also famous for its shochu.
There is a space in the stall village where you can enjoy a glass of shochu for as little as 100 yen.
It is fun to find your favorite cup.
However, the shochu you try is served straight, so be careful not to drink too much.

Kumamoto Yatai Mura
2-22 Jotomachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
TEL: 080-4974-2179
Business hours: 12:00 – 23:30
Closed: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month (open during peak season)
https://kumamoto-yataimura.com/

Kumamoto Yatai Mura More Information
https://globaladvancedcomm.com/japan-blog/2024-0115_kumamoto-gourmet/