Forget the conventional hotel stay; how about a place to sleep that is steeped in history, culture, and local charm? Here are a couple guesthouses and boutique accommodations that offer unforgettable memories, culinary delights, and heartfelt interactions with locals. Dive into the heart of Kumamoto with these unique spots.

Hiroshimaya is a historic, cozy guesthouse located within the grounds of Honmyoji Temple to the west of Kumamoto Castle. The building itself was built 130 years ago as lodging for worshippers at Honmyoji. Hiroshimaya is family-run and retains all of the charm and pure Japanese atmosphere it had since it first opened. The owner is extremely friendly and a delight to talk with. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a biwa performance!

The guesthouse has two rooms for groups of 2 to 4 and one smaller yet still spacious room for solo travelers. Reservations include a traditional, homestyle Japanese breakfast, made with delicious organic fruit and vegetables grown at Hiroshimaya. Hiroshimaya also doubles as a soba restaurant for lunch serving handmade 100% buckwheat noodles, and travelers can also reserve a special soba dinner if they would like.

Hiroshimaya is a bit of a hike from the nearest tram stop (Honmyoji Temple Entrance), but a free shuttle is available for guests with large luggage who ask for a ride in advance.

Hiroshimaya

Address: 4-13-22 Hanazono, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto

Website: https://gh-hiroshimaya.com/

Phone: 096-355-1441

Nakashimaya is a quaint accommodation on the edge of downtown Kumamoto and very conveniently located near the tram. The hostel is for women only and is a great place for solo female travelers. There are quirky retro and traditional Japanese decorations all throughout the hostel, both on grand display and tucked away in corners and hidden in drawers.

If you’re more of a private traveler, there’s ample privacy, but if you’re looking to meet new people, the hostel has numerous community spaces, like a lounge, full kitchen, and rooftop patio, where you can hang out, meet other guests, and make new friends.

Nakashimaya

Address: 2-11-6 Shinmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto

Website: https://www.instagram.com/hostel_nakashima_ya/

Phone: 096-202-2020

Opening in 2021, Tudzura is a relative newcomer to Kumamoto. Tudzura occupies the second floor of Showko Club, a 130-year-old renovated building in the Furumachi neighborhood of Kumamoto that originally operated as a combined restaurant and ryokan. The hotel juxtaposes the old with the new by offering all the comforts of modern living with the atmosphere and luxury of a vintage ryotei. Conveniently located midway between Kumamoto Station and downtown Kumamoto, Tudzura has a total of seven rooms that can accommodate parties of up to four.

The lobby also doubles as a café serving fair-trade coffee and a bar. They have also recently started offering matcha tastings at the authentic tearoom located downstairs. Tudzura is operated by a polyglot from Korea who can speak English, Chinese, and Japanese (and Korean, of course) and knows a lot of good places to check out in Kumamoto.

Tsudzura

Address: 6 Nishiamidajimachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto

Website: https://tudzura.jp/en/

Phone: 070-8424-9705