Johsaien, also referred to as Sakura no Baba, is a shopping arcade filled with shops, restaurants, and a museum located next to the scenic Kumamoto Castle. There are over 20 shops for food and shopping, and the Wakuwaku-za museum featuring the history and culture of Kumamoto. The shopping area also features a photo-spot, tourist information center, and stage area where samurai performances are held. The shows include Kumamoto Castle founder Kato Kiyomasa taking the stage with his cast of historical compatriots for an exciting show, or enjoy a singing and dance performance by Higomaru (Kumamoto City's mascot) and his friend Arisa. Guests young and old are invited to explore the Johsaein shopping area during our Southern Japan Tours or Grand Japan Tour Vacation packages through Kumamoto!
Johsaien Shops & Restaurants
Johsaein offers plenty of dining and shopping options for guests to enjoy while appreciating the beauty of Kumamoto Caslte.
Dining:
Sakuramichi - Classic Kumamoto Cuisine with historic recipes from Kumamoto Castle.
Ginnan - Buffet restaurant featuring a wide array of local specialties and dishes.
Sakuranzaka - Relaxing cafe featuring high-quality coffee and displays the beautiful artwork of Ichiro Tsuruta.
Yamami Chaya - Restaurant featuring Kumamoto cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients form the Aso Countryside.
Maruken - Home of the famous uni korokke (sea urchin).
Shinzaburo - One of Kumamoto's oldest shops featuring traditional Japanese mochi.
Shopping:
Kobaian - Carrying popular sweets exclusive to Kumamoto, enjoy Jindaiko (sweet azuki bean jelly surrounding soft mochi), Musha Gaeshi (azuki mochi wrapped in a crispy pie crust), or Jindaiko ice-cream.
Shunsaikan - Ultimate Kumamoto souvenir shop for sake, snacks, and gifts to bring back home.
Kumamoto Sakagura - Offering the finest sake, wine, shochu, and plum wine from Kumamoto and around the prefecture.
Kikuya - Offering fresh specialties from Aso including pickles and other delicacies.
Antagata Dokosa - Enjoy quality Japanese snacks with a Kumamoto twist.
Gozanbo Ichinokura - Famous for Akazake Mentaiko, a Kyushu specialty using Kumamoto's traditional Akazake sweet rice rine and carefully sourced mentaiko from the prefecture.
Mori Karashi Renkon - Specialized in Karashi Renkon (spicy fried lotus root), a delicacy in Kumamoto enjoyed by nobility.
TENTE - Offers fresh drinks and gift sets made from fruits, vegetables, and dairy products from Kumamoto and Aso.
Ikinariya Watanabe - Famous producer of Ikinari Dango, a special dango that consists of sweet potato and sweet bean inside a steamed, chewy dough. Out of all the sweets in Kumamoto, Ikinari Dango is the most famous to enjoy.
Miyabi - Souvenir store carrying a fine selection of gifts from Japanese fans, chopsticks, local goods, and Kumamon (Kumamoto Prefecture's Mascot) merchandise.
Suganoya - Quick snack stop perfect to sample horse-meat, a specialty of the Kumamoto region. Be sure to try the menchi katsu-style for a quick snack.
Fukuda Farm - Offering produce from the farm in Kumamoto, enjoy delicious juices, jams, etc.
Takata Kamaboko - Perfect stop for baked and fried fish snacks while enjoying Kumamoto Castle.
Monario - Famous for soy-milk puddings with flavors like strawberry, lychee, mango, melon, & pear.
Ocha-no Izumi-en - Tea store offering a wide variety of locally grown tea and foods in addition to green tea ice cream.
Itsukiya Honpo - Home for Yama Uni Tofu, a special centuries-old recipe from Kumamoto involving aging tofu in miso. The Yama Uni Tofu is given an extra careful process to ensure a rice & flavorful taste.
