ExperiencesA Taste of Kumamoto
Here is a line-up of tourist attractions to get the taste of both the old and new side of Kumamoto's Castle Town.
Whet your appetite with the taste of Kumamoto! Volunteer guides show you the real Kumamoto.
Link：KUMAMOTO SARUKU Kumamoto Volunteer Tour
Guide Website
Traditional Japanese Miso
with No Additives
Make Your Own Miso
Learn how to make the famous Japanese miso at a store which has been making it for over 220 years. Top it off with some homemade zenzai.
- Hours：
- Daily From 10:30 and 13:30(Closed on weekends, public holidays, and 12/20-1/10)
- Fee：
- ¥2,160 and up
- Capacity:
- 1 - 25
- Duration：
- 60 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Ikedaya-jozo
Phone: 096-352-0309
* Phone reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance
Enjoy Traditional
Japanese Dye
Wax Dyeing – It's Easy!
Japanese wax dye is a traditional method using hot wax to make dye patterns. You can dye your own cloth and experience this old Japanese craft.
- Hours：
- Daily, 9:00 - 21:00
- Fee：
- ¥1,000 and up
- Capacity:
- 1 - 4
- Duration：
- 120 - 180 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Dyeing and Hostel Nakashimaya
Phone: 096-202-2020
* Reservations accepted on the day before
Steamed Satsuma Sweet
Potatoes and Sauce
Make Your Own Dumplings
Make your own "Ikinari Dango" dumplings with steaming hot Satsuma potatoes and "an" sauce at "Ikinariya Watanabe", the popular shop among locals. Eat these famous Kumamoto delicacies on the spot or take them home.
- Hours：
- Monday−Saturday 13:30 - 15:00 (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays)
- Fee：
- ¥3,000
- Capacity:
- 2 - 10
- Duration：
- 60 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Ikinariya Watanabe
Phone: 096-346-0247
* Phone reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance
So Real — You Want to Eat It!
Make Your Own Sample Food
Make your own sample food, just like the ones displayed outside restaurants in Japan. Choose from the 3 options of mini parfait, pudding or lettuce and tempura.
- Hours：
- Daily 10:00 - 17:00 (Call beforehand)
- Fee：
- ¥700 and up (May vary by the course)
- Capacity:
- 1 - 5
- Duration：
- 20 min (May vary by group size)
- 【Inquiries】
- Nihon Bijutsu
Phone: 096-344-2411
* Phone reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance
Colourful,
Traditional Japanese Sweets for each Season
Let's make Furumachi Japanese Sweets
You can make 3 types of Japanese traditional sweets which depict the seasons (namagashi, mizuyokan, etc). The chef gives a demonstration and you try to follow his lead.
- Hours：
- 10:00 - 12:00 Daily (Call beforehand)
- Fee：
- ¥1,500
- Capacity:
- 5 - 20
- Duration：
- 120 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Tomodachiya Seika Hompo
Phone: 096-325-2212
* Phone reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance
Try the Techniques
Passed down over 400 years
Higo Damascening
Higo Damascening is a traditional Kumamoto craft. There are many processes in creating these works, and you can try your hand at the main "uchikomi" (inlaying) procedure of Damascening. This craft is 400 years old, the same age as Kumamoto Castle.
- Hours：
- Daily (Closed Sundays, 12/29 - 1/4, 8/13 - 8/15)
- Fee：
- ¥3,500 * Extra fee to mail finished product
- Capacity:
- 1 - 6
- Duration：
- 60 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Higo Zogan Mitsusuke
Phone: 096-324-4488
* Phone reservations must be made at least 1day in advance
Discover the Beauty
of Japanese Sake
Chief Brewer Explains Japanese Sake
The chief brewer of this sake brewery, which opened in 1867, explains how to enjoy and differentiate the many types of sake. Try 4 types of sake and receive a complimentary sample.
- Hours：
- 10:00 - 11:00, 13:00 - 16:00 Tuesday - Friday (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays)
- Fee：
- ¥1,500 (Includes complimentary sample)
- Capacity:
- 2 - 30
- Duration：
- 60 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Zuiyo
Phone: 096-357-9671
* Reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance
Feel Like a Master Tatami Maker
Make Your Own Tatami Mat
The quality rush grass of Kumamoto makes great tatami mats. Try your hand at making a mini tatami and be surrounded by the fresh scent of the rush grass.
- Hours：
- Daily 10:00 - 15:00 (Closed 12/29 - 1/5)
- Fee：
- ¥1000
- Capacity:
- 1 - 10
- Duration：
- 40 min
- 【Inquiries】
- Ichijoya
Phone: 096-343-3351
* Reservations must be made at least 1 day in advance
