The areas of Shinmachi and Furumachi lie between Kumamoto Station and Kumamoto Castle. It was here that Kumamoto Castle-architect Kato Kiyomasa built the castle town, and many prominent vestiges of those ancient times still remain today.

Positioned right in front of Kumamoto Castle, the Shinmachi area was the site of a narrow and rectangular castle town enclosed by 5 castle gates that contained both the samurai quarters of the social elite and the merchants’ housing, making it one of only a few towns like this in Japan.

Designed as a base of operations to stop the spread of fire or coordinate military action in times of emergency, the Furumachi area was organized in a grid with a community around each temple at the center of town and shops lined up with landing docks along the Tsuboi River that made Furumachi into a hub of distribution.

In these areas, the trades and food culture that allowed the castle to flourish continues to be passed down, and the restaurants and cafes in Furumachi’s traditional townhouses have become popular for their retro atmosphere. You can also learn more about the many appeals of Shinmachi and Furumachi using the guides assembled by local residents and experiencing the area’s food and traditional crafts.