A Stay at OMO5 Kumamoto by Hoshino Resorts: Experience the Vibrant Historical City of Kumamoto

• Table of Contents
• The Hotel’s Concept Is “Lively castle town in the center of Kyushu”
• OMO5 Kumamoto is located in a prime location with a view of Kumamoto Castle.
•  Find the Perfect Room for Your Group and Needs
• Experience: Lots of Exciting Discoveries during the Kumamoto “MACHI” Walk
• The Gelato at OMO Cafe Is a Must-Try!
• Experience: Kumamoto Go-KINJO BAR Is Where Staff Will Tell You about Their Best Bars
• Experience: Have a Toast While Gazing at the Kumamoto Castle at Night! “Terrace Lighting Event”
• Charge up with a Tasty Breakfast Offering 5 Options!
• Experience: “miikke” - Discover Your Kumamoto Color
• OMO5 Kumamoto helped me get to know the city

The Hotel’s Concept Is “Lively castle town in the center of Kyushu”

Kumamoto Prefecture is one of the most popular travel destinations in Japan. It is where you’ll find the famous Kumamoto Castle, Mount Aso, which boasts one of the world's largest calderas, and a variety of local delicacies such as horse meat and mustard lotus root. In April 2023, Hoshino Resorts' OMO brand OMO5 Kumamoto opened in the center of Kumamoto.

OMO is based on the concept of an "exciting shitamachi (downtown) hotel." Moreover, Kumamoto is the city of "wasamon" (Kumamoto dialect for "lover of new things"). We'll stay at OMO5 Kumamoto and report on its charms to discover what wonderful encounters and experiences you can have here!

OMO5 Kumamoto is located in a prime location with a view of Kumamoto Castle.

It takes approximately  40 minutes by limousine bus from Aso Kumamoto Airport (just under 20 minutes by tram from Kumamoto Station). OMO5 Kumamoto is located in the center of the vibrant city of Kumamoto. One of the attractions behind the OMO brand is staying in the city's best location. It has excellent access to transportation and tourist spots, and you can enjoy a beautiful view at night.

Beyond the front desk, where the check-in counter is located, is the Go-KINJO MAP (Local guide map), compiled by hotel staff who have visited the area. It lists recommended shops that are not listed in guidebooks, categorized with photos, so you can look at it with excitement, thinking, "I didn't know there was a shop like this!" or "I'll buy souvenirs here." Beyond the front desk where the check-in counter is located is the "Go-KINJO Map (Local guide map)", which was compiled by hotel staff who have actually visited the area. It lists recommended shops that are not listed in guidebooks, categorized with photos, so you can look at it with excitement, thinking, "I didn't know there was a shop like this!" or "I'll buy souvenirs here♪."

If you look closely, you'll even see a Kumamon sign! Just checking in already puts you in a fun mood.

 Find the Perfect Room for Your Group and Needs

OMO5 Kumamoto has 160 rooms, divided into three main types. The Yagura Room, which can accommodate 1 to 4 people, has a loft that uses vertical space, as its name suggests. The spacious living space makes it easy to enjoy a relaxing time with friends.

The Entaku Room (1-2 people) features a large round table between the beds. During the day, you can productively work or spread out a guidebook to plan your trip. Then, you can enjoy a meal with ingredients purchased from a nearby store in the evening. This table can also be used as a divider between the beds when you go to sleep.

The "Utsuwa Room," which can accommodate one or two people , has a table that runs all the way around the wall of the guest room like the edge of a vessel . The entrance side of this room functions as a desk, and the bedroom side as a low table, combining both design and ease of use.

We also have a variety of other rooms to suit the number of people and the purpose of your trip, such as the OMO House (1-6 people), which is recommended for families and groups. The accommodation has two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a drum-type washer/dryer. Additionally, there are dog-friendly rooms (Yagura and Utsuwa) where you can stay with your beloved dog. Feel free to choose the room that best suits your needs.

One thing that almost all the rooms have in common is the comfort of the tatami flooring. Kumamoto Prefecture has the highest yield of rush grass (the plant from which tatami mats are made) and Japan's largest production of tatami mats (about 90%). Upon entering the room, you will feel relaxed and calm, as if walking in the forest.

Another attraction of OMO5 Kumamoto is that all the water from your room's taps is drinkable. Kumamoto City uses groundwater, a blessing from Mount Aso, as its water source. Drinking delicious water in your room lets you feel the richness of Kumamoto Prefecture.

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Experience: Lots of Exciting Discoveries during the Kumamoto “MACHI” Walk

One of the reasons OMO is popular is that it offers local lectures and guided tours by staff who are experts on the city and region, allowing you to take a profound, encounter-filled trip that you won't find in guidebooks.

After taking a break in your room, head out on a Kumamoto "MACHI" Walk with an OMO Ranger (Local guide) who knows Kumamoto, a city where new and old things coexist! (Meet in front of Go-KINJO MAP at 15:30.)

Originally, different kanji characters were used for Kumamoto, but Kato Kiyomasa, the person responsible for building Kumamoto Castle, changed them to the current characters. Additionally, there is a dialect called “wasamon” in Kumamoto, which means “a lover of new things” or “sensitive to trends.” While walking around Kumamoto, you will find many second-hand clothing stores. There is a lot of information about Kumamoto that I didn't know before! It's great that the site provides easy-to-understand explanations for tourists of what locals know!

The course (1 hour) goes through Shimotori in front of the hotel and loops around the drinking district before returning. Along the way, you’ll spot a well in a stylish cafe, try the local specialty, Yamecha tea, and hear about the relationship between the literary master Natsume Soseki and Kumamoto. All of this new information will give you a glimpse into the charm and lifestyle of Kumamoto.

From recommended dinner spots to ramen for the final meal to unique souvenir shops, the staff will carefully explain the places you should stop next, sometimes even sharing their experiences. Once again, I felt that the OMO brand is a hotel that offers a memorable stay, values ​​the connection between the city and locals who live there, and spreads its charm.

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The Gelato at OMO Cafe Is a Must-Try!

After a stroll around the city, let's enjoy the sweets at OMO Cafe. This time, we tried the popular “Mixed Gelato” (650 yen). This dessert can be enjoyed with three different flavors and nine different toppings. This time, we customized the vanilla gelato with local bean snacks called "Higo Taiko" and "Nama Sweet Potato."

The sweetness of the vanilla and sweet potato is accentuated by the saltiness and crispy texture of the Higo Taiko, making for an irresistible treat. The taste is even more pronounced when you eat it on the DECO-BOCO Terrace, where you can relax on the sofa and enjoy the view of Kumamoto Castle!

Experience: Kumamoto Go-KINJO BAR Is Where Staff Will Tell You about Their Best Bars

Kumamoto City has a plethora of wonderful bars. Over 100 bars are within walking distance of OMO5 Kumamoto. For those interested in visiting a bar but don't know where to go because there are so many to choose from, we recommend Kumamoto Go-KINJO BAR.

Hotel staff dressed as bartenders will be standing in front of the Go-KINJO MAP around 17:00. You can use the original bar diagnosis chart next to the counter to find a bar that suits you. Alternatively, you can listen to the staff's recommendations while sampling popular cocktails from nearby bars. Either way, you'll be able to find a bar that suits you.

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Experience: Have a Toast While Gazing at the Kumamoto Castle at Night! “Terrace Lighting Event”

After enjoying the nightlife in Kumamoto, why not reminisce about your fun day while sipping a delicious cocktail on the DECO-BOCO Terrace at OMO5 Kumamoto?

At OMO5 Kumamoto, the Terrace Lighting Event is held every night (20:00-22:00). The DECO-BOCO Terrace, with its architectural design echoing Kumamoto Castle, is lit up in sync with the castle's illumination. You can also enjoy live music by locals on Friday and Saturday nights.

During the Terrace Lighting Event, we recommend trying the limited-edition original menu “Kiyomasa Toast Set” (2,000 yen). This cocktail uses celery, which is said to have originated when Kiyomasa brought it back from Korea, as well as yuzu and Kuma Shochu "Musha Gaeshi" (Japanese rice spirit). The beverage has a refreshing yet somewhat deep flavor. Moreover, the rich flavor of the matcha terrine served as dessert perfectly matched the cocktail!

One of the attractions is the fun of taking photos that can only be done at night, such as the toast card of Lord Kiyomasa that lights up when you take a photo with a flash. Let's enjoy a wonderful time taking photos and tasting delicious cocktails.

Charge up with a Tasty Breakfast Offering 5 Options!

After a relaxing rest in a comfortable bed, head to OMO Cafe for breakfast (7:00-10:00 *Last orders 9:30).

At OMO 5 Kumamoto, you can enjoy five different main dishes, including "White Stew Cube Toast with Lotus Root Mustard," inspired by the Kumamoto local dish "mustard lotus root." There’s also "French Toast with Sweet Potato and Citrus," which features Kumamoto's specialty citrus fruits and potato sauce, as well as salads, soups, and free drinks.

The cube stew was a perfect combination of toast filled with a generous amount of mellow stew, the spicy flavor of mustard, and the crispy texture of lotus root chips. The free drinks, which included citrus honey, acerola tomato, and milk, were also delicious, making for a great start to the day.

As I sipped my coffee on the terrace after dinner, I could hear hear the trams, birds chirping, and the hustle and bustle of the city. It's strange how, even though it was my first time in the city, it somehow felt familiar to me.

Experience: “miikke” - Discover Your Kumamoto Color

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, why not try making a one-of-a-kind souvenir at miikke - Your Kumamoto Colors (avaiable in Japanese only)

This activity involves wrapping the "Kumamoto Castle Musha Gaeshi Brooch," modeled after the stone walls of Kumamoto Castle, in two colors of your choice among 30 shades. Each brooch color has a name related to Kumamoto, such as "Ikinari Dango" (Suddenly Dumplings), "Karashi Renkon" (Scarlet Lotus Root), or "Kumamon no Hoppe" (Kumamon's Cheeks). It's also interesting to hear the origins of these names. Place some cut rush grass with scissors in a special box along with the brooch. And before you know it, your very own souvenir is complete!

OMO5 Kumamoto helped me get to know the city

On this trip, the city of Kumamoto felt more familiar and attractive. I think this experience could only have been achieved by staying at OMO5 Kumamoto, which connected me to Kumamoto throughout my stay. Between the fun accommodation and activities, I could experience the authentic charm of Kumamoto that isn't found in guidebooks.

I stayed at OMO5 Kumamoto this time, but there are also OMO1, OMO3, and OMO7 hotels across Japan. These numbers indicate the range of services offered, with a wide variety ranging from OMO1, which is minimal yet full of features to help you enjoy the city. Then there’s the basic OMO3, which has compact and affordable rooms, and OMO7, a full-service hotel with spacious rooms and gourmet food that makes the most of the region's charms. My stay made me feel like I wanted to stay at an OMO again on my next trip!

You can make reservations for "OMO5 Kumamoto" at the lowest price on the official website, so be sure to check it out.

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