Explore the City of Wasamon! 5 Must-Visit Spots With OMO5 Kumamoto by Hoshino Resorts

• Table of Contents
• Kumamoto Castle and Delicious Gourmet Food! The Charming City of Kumamoto
• Spot 1) Kumamoto Castle: The Symbol of Kumamoto
• Spot 2) Kumamoto City Museum of Contemporary Art: Experience Art up Close
• Spot 3) Tsuruya Department Store: Where You Can Buy Souvenirs and Food
• Spot 4) Savor the Exquisite Menu at Joya!
• Spot 5) Sip a Cocktail at Yakoboku"
• Get Closer to Kumamoto at OMO5 Kumamoto

Kumamoto Castle and Delicious Gourmet Food! The Charming City of Kumamoto

Kumamoto City, home to Kumamoto Castle, offers visitors many attractive spots. This includes the iconic castle, which was beautifully restored after the earthquake in 2016, Tsuruya Department Store, which is a favorite among locals, the Museum of Contemporary Art Kumamoto, where you can enjoy extensive exhibitions and free space, and a lively drinking district.

What will make your stay in Kumamoto even more wonderful is the hotel OMO5 Kumamoto by Hoshino Resorts, which opened in April 2023 and allows you to enjoy the city. There is an observation terrace (DECO-BOCO Terrace) with a great view of Kumamoto Castle and plenty of activities to enjoy the "wasamon" (local dialect for “trendy”) city of Kumamoto. There are even courses on Kumamoto Castle and Kumamon, making this a hotel that will pique your intellectual curiosity.

This article introduces five carefully selected recommended spots in Kumamoto to enjoy during your stay at OMO5 Kumamoto!

Book OMO5 Kumamoto by Hoshino Resorts at the best rate

Spot 1) Kumamoto Castle: The Symbol of Kumamoto

Kumamoto Castle is about a 15-minute walk from OMO5 Kumamoto. It is recognized as one of "Japan's Three Famous Castles" and was built by Kato Kiyomasa, a master castle builder. The April 2016 Kumamoto earthquake damaged the castle tower, stone walls, and many of the important cultural property buildings. However, the castle tower has now been restored to its original beauty, and restoration work is underway in other areas as well.

First, cross Miyuki Bridge and head to the ticket booth at the south exit. In front of Miyuki Bridge, there is a bronze statue of Kato Kiyomasa, affectionately known to Kumamoto residents as "Seishoko-san” (Lord Kiyomasa). After passing there, you’ll see an area modeled after a castle town called "Sakura no Baba Josaien," where you can enjoy delicious Kumamoto cuisine such as horse sashimi and sea urchin croquettes.

After purchasing a ticket and walking for a while, the stunning Kumamoto Castle tower comes into view. The castle appears very large because it is located on a small hill.

There are many things to see, such as the stone walls known as "Musha-gaeshi," which curve inwards as they go up. The castle tower also offers a panoramic view of Kumamoto City.

Spot 2) Kumamoto City Museum of Contemporary Art: Experience Art up Close

The Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto, is located at the entrance to the bustling Kamitori area near Kumamoto Castle.

Located on the third floor of a complex building, you’ll find special exhibitions (Galleries I and II) showcasing various genres in addition to contemporary art. There are also a variety of free spaces, such as a home gallery to browse everything from art books to manga, an Art Lab Market where you can participate in artist workshops and creative experiences, and Gallery III, which mainly introduces artists with ties to the Kyushu region. It is a spot where you can experience art up close and intimately.

Picture courtesy of Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto

In addition to the exhibition space, this museum also features artworks by artists actively working in Japan and abroad. These include James Turrell's "MILK RUN SKY" and Yayoi Kusama's experiential works, which are integrated into the space.

Marina Abramović, Library for Human Use, 2002 ©Marina AbramovićJames Turrell, Milk Run Sky, 2002, The Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto,

The bright Art Sky Gallery has large windows overlooking the blue sky, creating a pleasant space where you can read manga, art-related books, and urban development books or check out the latest exhibition information.

Spot 3) Tsuruya Department Store: Where You Can Buy Souvenirs and Food

Tsuruya Department Store, located right next to OMO5 Kumamoto, is a long-established department store that carries a wide selection of delicious products from Kumamoto.

This department store in the city center boasts tremendous support from locals and is a shopping spot that truly represents Kumamoto.

Picture courtesy of Tsuruya Department Store

The basement floor has a prepared food corner, various souvenirs from Kumamoto, a food court, a liquor store, an ATM, and more, making it a convenient place to look for souvenirs or purchase prepared food to eat at the hotel. You can also look for ingredients unique to Kumamoto in the grocery area on the second basement floor or enjoy a meal in the restaurant area on the seventh floor!

It's a great spot to enjoy shopping or have tea at a cafe in between sightseeing.

Spot 4) Savor the Exquisite Menu at Joya!

One of the attractions of OMO5 Kumamoto is that it provides information on special restaurants and izakaya (Japanese pub) that are not listed in guidebooks. This time, we visited Joya, a popular restaurant among locals, in search of delicious Kumamoto cuisine.

The chef cheerfully welcomes you upon entering the restaurant, where you'll find a relaxing, nostalgic space reminiscent of one’s grandma's house. There are counter and table seats, so it's interesting to see various customers, including solo travelers and local office workers. (The chef, Mr. Shiro, is fluent in English and was often seen chatting happily with a foreign customer sitting at the counter.)

This time, we ordered a few dishes, including the specialty "Delicious Red Chicken Explosive Wings" and "Whole Dashi Ice Tomato." The "Delicious Red Chicken Explosive Wings," with its crispy, fragrant skin and the condensed flavor of red chicken, is a dish that pairs well with alcohol. It can be eaten like a snack, so we recommend ordering a slightly larger portion. The "Whole Dashi Ice Tomato" was a dish with a wonderful balance of crunchy ice flavored with dashi and the rich, sweet, and sour taste of Kumamoto-grown tomatoes.

The food at Shiroya is impressive, with each dish being elaborate and impressive. There is a wide variety of menu items and local sake. Therefore, you'll be thinking before leaving, "Maybe I should come back tomorrow and try something else." If you come to Kumamoto, be sure to stop by.

Spot 5) Sip a Cocktail at Yakoboku"

After enjoying the delicious food at Joya, we went to a bar called Yakoboku. This bar was the first in Kyushu to be ranked in Asia's 50 Best Bars award and is run by bartender Shinya Kiba, who was the champion of the world's largest cocktail competition: DIAGEO WORLD CLASS. The name "Yakoboku" comes from a flower that blooms at night and gives off a strong fragrance. What an incredibly stylish name!

Picture courtesy of Yakoboku

When you open the wooden door of this building, which was originally an inn, you will find a tranquil and beautifully arranged space. One of the features of this restaurant is that there is no seating charge or complicated pricing. The prices of cocktails, both alcoholic and mocktails, are pre-determined, so even beginners can enjoy delicious cocktails with peace of mind.

Picture courtesy of Yakoboku

Based on the concept of "a taste you can only get by visiting the place," the cocktails created by bartender Shinya Kiba are all beautiful and bursting with creativity. Many of the cocktails use ingredients from Kyushu, including Kumamoto, such as Kuma Shochu and Aso milk. You'll be surprised at how delicious they are the moment the beverage enters your mouth. Through these delicious cocktails, I was able to discover a new charm of Kumamoto. Based on the concept of "a taste you can only get by visiting the place," the cocktails created by bartender Shinya Kiba are all beautiful and full of creativity. Many of the cocktails use ingredients from Kyushu, including Kumamoto, such as Kuma Shochu and Aso milk, and you'll be surprised at how delicious they are the moment you put them in your mouth. Through these delicious cocktails, I was able to discover a new charm of Kumamoto.

Picture courtesy of Yakoboku

Get Closer to Kumamoto at OMO5 Kumamoto

Kumamoto City is full of excitement, with a mix of history and modernity. We recommend staying at OMO5 Kumamoto, which offers easy access to all areas. You can make reservations at the lowest price on the official website, so be sure to check it out!

Book OMO5 Kumamoto by Hoshino Resorts at the best rate