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Kamitori, Kumamoto City Central Shopping Arcade

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Kamitori, Kumamoto City Central Shopping Arcade

Fashion, gourmet food, and long-standing favorites all come together in this shopping arcade in central Kumamoto.

3.29 4

Last update :
Supervised by :  熊本市中心商店街「上通」

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.

Lining this all-white arcade, said to be inspired by Paris’s Musée d'Orsay, are a wide variety of shops in categories such as services, gourmet food, fashion, culture, beauty, and miscellaneous goods.

You will also find long-established favorites still going strong, including Okada Coffee, a coffee shop loved for Approx. 60 years, Nagasaki Shoten, a bookstore where you can browse for books at a relaxed pace in a calm setting, and Kumamoto Ramen Komurasaki Chuo Branch, known as the original Kumamoto ramen shop.

Highlights

  • A shopping arcade located close to Kumamoto Castle and the Prefectural Museum of Art.
  • Shops line the all-white arcade, inspired by Paris’s Musée d'Orsay.
  • There is a wide range of genres, including services, gourmet food, and fashion, along with many long-established famous shops.

Photos

  • A 600-meter-long shopping arcade located close to Kumamoto Castle

    A 600-meter-long shopping arcade located close to Kumamoto Castle

  • Ipe wood decking laid down the center of the walkway

    Ipe wood decking laid down the center of the walkway

  • Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine Grand Autumn Festival, decorative horse dedication

    Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine Grand Autumn Festival, decorative horse dedication

  • Okada Coffee, loved for Approx. 60 years

    Okada Coffee, loved for Approx. 60 years

  • Nagasaki Shoten, a bookstore with a calm atmosphere

    Nagasaki Shoten, a bookstore with a calm atmosphere

  • Kumamoto Ramen Komurasaki Chuo Branch, known for its long-established flavors

    Kumamoto Ramen Komurasaki Chuo Branch, known for its long-established flavors

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Is there free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A

Available at some stores.

Q

Are there coin lockers?
A

No.

Q

Is there a smoking area?
A

No.

Q

Are there sightseeing spots nearby?
A

Yes, including Kumamoto Castle, Sakura no Baba Josaien, Kumamon Square (inside Tsuruya Department Store), and the Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto.

Reviews

4

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
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    Compared with the lively and bustling Shimotori Shopping Arcade, Kamitori Shopping Arcade has a more elegant and relaxed everyday atmosphere. Its high, spacious, and bright arcade has fewer tourists, making it very comfortable and pleasant to stroll through.

    Many hidden gems are tucked away inside the shopping arcade, such as the century-old Nagasaki Bookstore and Kumamoto Yatai Village, which brings together local cuisine and a lively atmosphere. Both are great places to slow down and browse leisurely in the early evening.

    This time, I happened to stay at a comfortable apartment hotel next to the shopping arcade with views of Kumamoto Castle, so the arcade was just around the corner. From the hotel's rooftop, you can take in the beautiful sunset turning the Kumamoto cityscape red, and after dark, quietly admire Kumamoto Castle illuminated by soft lights. I recommend staying near Kamitori Shopping Arcade—it makes for an excellent lodging experience.

  • Linda Liao
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    This time, I joined a special guided tour arranged by the hotel and followed the guide into the Kamitori Shopping Arcade, which is full of local everyday life. Strolling through the streets wasn’t just about shopping; the tour also introduced us to Kumamoto’s history, culture, and daily scenery. The area is lined with all kinds of shops, cafés, and long-established businesses, blending tradition and modernity and showcasing Kumamoto’s unique urban charm.

    The most impressive stop was Jobundo Kawashima Bookstore, founded in 1877. This nearly 150-year-old bookstore not only sells books but also houses many old documents, antique maps, prints, and valuable historical materials related to Kyushu and Kumamoto. It’s like a cultural treasure trove preserving local memories. Cultural figures such as Natsume Soseki and Lafcadio Hearn are also said to have visited!

  • 周黛西
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    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.

  • 趙源
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    One of the liveliest spots in Kumamoto. Food, shopping, and plenty to browse—all in one place.

    The shopping arcade is super long and very comfortable to walk through, and the roof is a huge plus when it rains.

Details

Name in Japanese
熊本市中心商店街「上通」
Postal Code
860-0845
Address
Kamitoricho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture
Phone
096-353-1638 (Kamitori Shopping District Promotion Association Office)
Closed on
Varies by store
Hours
Varies by store
Access
1 minute on foot from Torichosuji Station on the Kumamoto City Tram
Credit Cards
Varies by store
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa