The Kokai Shotengai market, located to the northeast of downtown Kumamoto, is an old-fashioned shopping area, with local shops of all kinds selling vegetables, fish, meats, meals, clothes, and trinkets, all lined along a long, narrow street, that is a true glimpse into how Japan looked decades ago. Long ago, the Kokai area was where a number of samurai resided, and even now the area is home to a number of small temples visited by the samurai. The market is also located in close proximity to Kumamoto University, and is a popular place for students to come and buy fresh fruits and vegetables at very low prices.