Kumamoto Regional Cuisine Aoyagi

A long-established Japanese restaurant near Kumamoto Castle, founded in 1949. Its diverse dishes showcase Kumamoto's rich culinary culture, blessed with seafood from the Ariake Sea and Amakusa and produce from Aso.

The extensive menu includes Kumamoto specialties such as horse sashimi and mustard-stuffed lotus root, seasonal kaiseki cuisine, and sushi and sashimi prepared with fresh seafood landed locally. Popular choices include the signature kamameshi rice dish, a favorite for over 75 years since the restaurant's founding, and the Honmaru Gozen set meal (reservation required), which recreates a menu served in the Edo-period Higo Domain and offers a taste of cuisine from around 200 years ago. The proprietress, a certified sake sommelier, can also select a fine drink to complement your meal from an extensive collection of local shochu and sake, as well as Japanese and international wines.

Every Wednesday evening, the Kumamoto girls' dance troupe Hanawarabe performs traditional Japanese dance. Experience traditional Higo culture through their graceful dances set to Kumamoto folk songs.