Sakura Machi Kumamoto is a combination bus terminal, shopping center, hotel, and event hall located in the heart of downtown Kumamoto. The building was completed in 2019 and is a great place to go shopping and get a bite to eat. Inside you’ll find Misumi Store (Kumamoto’s only Apple Store!); a large Montbell store featuring a wide range of outdoor equipment; a Kumamon store; and much more!

The bus platforms are located on the first floor behind the shopping area. If you are unsure which bus to take, a bus information desk is located on the second floor near the entrance to Kumamoto-jo Hall. Taxis are also located on the second floor, just past the info desk. In front of Sakura Machi is the Hanabata Hiroba Square, a large open space that frequently hosts markets and events.

Visitors from overseas can take advantage of tax-free shopping at some of the shops in Sakura Machi. Please check the Sakura Machi website beforehand to see which shops offer tax-free shopping.

Free wifi is available for 60-minute periods on the SAKURA-MACHI_Free_Wi-Fi network.

The bus platforms are located on the 1^st floor, but you’ll probably want to head to the 2^nd floor first, where you’ll find ticket booths and an information desk. The ticket machines offer multilingual assistance and the info desk has maps and tourist pamphlets in multiple languages. Back in the central hallway, you’ll see clearly labeled colored signs for stairs leading down to the different bus platforms.

Sakura Machi features one below-ground and four above-ground floors filled with all kinds of shops, from clothing and electronics to local foods and souvenirs.

On B1F, you'll find a large supermarket and a variety of food stalls selling bentos, deli items, sweets, and more. 

Fans of Kumamon should check out Kumamon Village on the 2nd floor next to the information desk. The shop is filled to the brim with adorable Kumamon merchandise and Kumamon himself makes appearances every Sunday at 1PM!

Another cool spot is Mansaku, a chopstick and umbrella store also on the 2nd floor. There are hundreds of chopsticks to choose from in all kinds of patterns and colors. You can even get your name engraved on your chopsticks in Japanese!

If you’re interested in anime, be sure to check out Kyushu Anime Deck on the 3^rd floor, where you can find figurines and merch from all kinds of anime. Nearby you’ll also find Namco Asobipark, a game arcade with plenty of purikura booths, and the Bandai Gashapon Shop, full of gashapon machines packed with unique trinkets. 

If you're looking for a quick snack or bento to take on the go, B1F has a food court and a variety of shops selling lunch items, sweets, and other tasty treats.

If you want a more substantial meal, the northern half of the third floor features a collection of restaurants specializing in local Akaushi beef, shabushabu, yakiniku, and more. Amakusa Ushibuka-maru offers great sushi at reasonable prices. Much of the fish is brought in fresh from nearby Amakusa and the staff is very friendly and helpful. You can order your sushi using a multilingual tablet, making it easy to order even if you don’t know Japanese.

Now that you’ve finished shopping and eating, don’t forget to check out Sakura Machi’s garden roof. Say hello to the enormous Kumamon while you’re there! He waves his arms every hour on the hour, so try to time your visit right. Also, if you get just the right angle, you can get both Kumamon and Kumamoto Castle in the same photo!

So that’s a basic look at what you’ll find at Sakura Machi. Once you’ve explored here, make sure to check out the Kamitori and Shimotori Arcades for Kumamoto’s best shopping and nightlife, and don’t forget to check out Kumamoto Castle and Josaien!