On the way up to Kato Shrine, you'll pass through a lively place—Sakuranobaba Josaien. This area is bustling with people. Many restaurants are scattered throughout, including famous local Kumamoto cuisine and branches of long-established traditional shops, allowing visitors to sample authentic horse sashimi, mustard-stuffed lotus root, and all kinds of local specialties in one place. The “Jindaiko Ice Cream” is made by Kumamoto's well-known confectionery shop Okashi no Kobai, combining the local specialty “Homare no Jindaiko” with rich milk to create soft-serve ice cream. I watched the staff skillfully cut the Jindaiko into small pieces and put them into the machine. Before long, a cold soft-serve cone appeared, blending a milky aroma with smooth red bean paste and soft, chewy mochi. It was sweet and smooth, perfect for a hot summer day.
In the center of Josaien is a covered outdoor stage. From time to time, several performers dressed as samurai, known as the “Kumamoto Castle Hospitality Warlords,” weave through the crowd and kindly pose for photos with visitors. What left a strong impression on me was a charming “town girl” who spoke fluent Chinese and had a delightful conversation with some travelers who were also from Taiwan. At the Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza, visitors can explore the history of Kumamoto Castle through virtual reality tours and projection mapping experiences, take part in activities depicting everyday life during the Edo period and the lives of high-ranking officials and nobles, and uncover the secrets behind the castle's construction.
Sakuranobaba Josaien has a fantastical feeling where past and present intersect, along with a nostalgic sense of traveling through time. It's a great place for the whole family to come and join the fun.
Sakuranobaba Josaien | Review by 周黛西
Other Reviews by 周黛西
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Kato Shrine at Kumamoto Castle
This shrine enshrines Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611) as its principal deity. He was active as a Sengoku warlord and, in the Edo period (1603-1868), ruled Higo Province as the first lord of the Kumamoto Domain, earning the affectionate nickname “Seishoko-san” among the people. It stands in the Honmaru (the castle’s main bailey) of Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s Three Great Castles, which Kiyomasa built.
Kumamoto Castle, which is currently being restored, is scheduled to open on August 13. Since I was already there, I took a detour through the grounds of Kato Shrine to admire the majestic keep of Kumamoto Castle from a different angle.
To the right of the approach to the worship hall stands a towering sacred tree. A small shrine and a tiny torii gate have been placed where the trunk splits, giving it a divine presence. The sacred tree symbolizes that the gods are everywhere, inspiring people to feel gratitude and faith toward all things in the world.
Kato Shrine primarily enshrines Kato Kiyomasa, a renowned general of the Sengoku period who also built Kumamoto Castle. Combining this famous warrior with the widely beloved Kumamon resulted in Samurai Kumamon. Seeing the usually cheerful Kumamon with a serious expression for the first time made me see him in a whole new light and filled me with admiration.
Kato Shrine really isn't very large, but I loved its tranquil atmosphere. After visiting the main hall, you'll find the shrine office nearby filled with all kinds of amulets, ema plaques, and goshuin stamps. You might want to choose one for yourself, with the hope that the gods' blessings will make your wishes come true and your dreams take flight. -
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Suizenji Jojuen Garden
It is a stroll garden with spring water that Tadatoshi, the first lord of the Hosokawa clan, created after building a teahouse here where subsoil water from the Aso Mountains gushed forth. Tsunatoshi, the third lord of the Hosokawa clan, later created a large-scale garden that was named "Jojuen" after a poem by Tao Yuanming.
On a beautiful, breezy morning, we set out for Suizenji Jojuen Garden. Jojuen is not only a nearly 400-year-old Japanese garden but also an important nationally designated scenic spot and a must-see when visiting Kumamoto.
Upon entering, the first things that come into view are the central spring-fed pond and the “Mt. Fuji mound.” The pond covers about 10,000 square meters and is fed by underground water flowing from Mt. Aso. Watching the large koi swim leisurely through the emerald-green water is very soothing. Cherry, pine, and plum trees, among others, are planted around the pond, so the scenery probably changes with each season. The Mt. Fuji mound and the shimmering pond complement each other beautifully and are worth seeing.
This stroll garden was named after the line “The garden grows more delightful with each daily stroll” from “The Return” by the Eastern Jin poet Tao Yuanming. This also made me notice the haiku monuments dedicated to the Japanese literary master Natsume Soseki. By the time I completed a loop from the entrance, I had found all three haiku monuments. I’ll savor them more deeply later when reflecting on these memories. -
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Kamitori, Kumamoto City Central Shopping Arcade
This shopping arcade is 600 meters long and 11 meters wide, with Ipe wood decking laid down the center of the walkway for a gentle, comfortable stroll. Surrounded by cultural attractions such as Kumamoto Castle, the Prefectural Museum of Art, the Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center, and the Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, it is a popular stop for visitors exploring Kumamoto.
On our first night in Kumamoto, we stayed at Onyado Nono. Kamitori Shopping Arcade was right next door, bustling with people and full of energy. There were all kinds of food, izakayas, drugstores, and fresh fruit and vegetable shops (how could we miss the sweet, juicy peaches and grapes this season? 🤤)
From City Hall, where Kamitori and Shimotori meet, you can see Kumamoto Castle in the distance. Its warm lights symbolize the resilient, gentle yet strong spirit of this city. -
