All Reviews of Sakuranobaba Josaien

Near Kumamoto Castle, besides visiting the castle itself, I also highly recommend stopping by Sakuranobaba Josaien. The entire complex was designed around the concept of an Edo-period castle town, and the streets are full of Kumamoto character, creating a charming historic atmosphere as you walk around.

There are many local Kumamoto foods, souvenirs, and specialty shops here, so you can take a stroll and browse at your own pace. Kumamoto specialties such as horse meat dishes, mustard-stuffed lotus root, and Kumamoto ramen can all be found here, making it very convenient for people who like to snack as they walk around.

I think the most appealing thing about Josaien is that it combines sightseeing, shopping, and food all in one place. There's no need to rush through your itinerary, and it's very pleasant to explore at a leisurely pace.

As soon as you enter Josaien, the traditional Edo-style buildings make you feel as if you've instantly traveled back in time. The site is mainly divided into two areas. The livelier Wakuwakuza offers immersive historical experiences that provide a deeper understanding of Kumamoto Castle's past and local culture, while Sakuranokoji on the other side brings together nearly 20 long-established shops representing Kumamoto's local cuisine and specialty souvenirs.

As soon as you reach Sakuranokoji, the tempting aromas of local snacks fill the air. Whether it's freshly grilled Akaushi beef rice bowls, fragrant horse meat dishes, rich local Kumamoto ramen, or a variety of elegant wagashi and frozen treats, every shop makes you want to go in and try something. There is also a comprehensive selection of souvenirs, from popular sweets to limited-edition keepsakes, making it an easy and comfortable place to browse.

I highly recommend adding Sakuranobaba Josaien to your itinerary before or after visiting Kumamoto Castle. Not only can you enjoy authentic Kumamoto cuisine, but you can also buy plenty of distinctive souvenirs. It's definitely a must-visit place for great food, shopping, and photos!

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 is a shopping street below Kumamoto Castle. You can buy Kumamoto souvenirs there, and there are also restaurants and food stalls. Samurai also perform for visitors at scheduled times. After visiting Kumamoto Castle, you can come down and stroll around.

Don't rush off after visiting Kumamoto Castle. Sakuranobaba Josaien at the foot of the hill is well worth visiting at the same time!

The entire complex was designed around the concept of an Edo-period castle town, with old-fashioned buildings lining both sides of the streets. Walking through it feels like you've traveled back to the Edo period. Although it isn't very large, it's fun to explore, eat snacks, and take photos along the way, and the atmosphere is quite relaxed.

My favorite area was Sakura-no-koji, which has quite a few shops featuring Kumamoto specialties. You can buy souvenirs and enjoy food and drinks as you go, including sea urchin croquettes, Jindaiko ice cream, and Kumamoto's signature horse meat dishes.

The complex also has Wakuwakuza, which introduces Kumamoto's history through interactive exhibits and is much more interesting than simply reading text. If you happen to catch a performance by the Kumamoto Castle Omotenashi Busho-tai, you can take photos with them too, making it a fun little experience unique to Kumamoto.

I think it's best to include this with a visit to Kumamoto Castle. After climbing up to the castle and learning about its history, come to Josaien to eat, look around, and buy souvenirs.

They recreated the old castle town style there. The wooden buildings and tile roofs really make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s a great spot for photos with a lot of character.

Kumamoto Castle is still under restoration, so I just explored the nearby shopping street and tried some local Kumamoto food.