From used bookstores to hidden bistros: 4 must-see walking spots in Kumamoto City

Enjoy the deliciousness of Kumamoto at this hidden bistro that's extremely popular among locals

Peg

Peg is a small bistro located just off Uenouradori Street, a popular spot in the city lined with restaurants. The restaurant's menu ingredients are selected only after the owner, Tominaga, personally visits producers in Kumamoto. You'll be impressed by the visual beauty of the creative dishes that make the most of the ingredients' natural flavors, and the rich flavors when you eat them.

You'll also be amazed by the variety of creative dishes on offer, from salads to meat and fish, and desserts. Another plus is that wines to accompany your meal are reasonably priced, starting at 750 yen per glass. In addition to wine, you can also enjoy the pairing of carefully selected alcoholic beverages with food, such as craft beer and natural wine. Peg is run by the owner, Tominaga, alone, and both the cooking and the service are handled by him, so we recommend making a reservation.

A famous bookstore with a rich history and a café and gallery

Nagasaki Jiro Bookstore

This long-established bookstore, founded in 1874 (Meiji 7), stands alongside the streetcars that run through Kumamoto City. The retro-modern building, constructed in 1924 (Taisho 13), was designed by the late Yasuoka Katsuya, a star architect of the time, and is a registered tangible cultural property of the country. Although it closed down once in 2013, it reopened in 2014, the year after its 140th anniversary.

Customers of all ages visit the bookstore for a variety of reasons, including local children who come to read picture books and people who enjoy the unique atmosphere of the building.

In addition, a new space called "Gallery Jiro" has been created inside the store, where solo exhibitions and special exhibitions are held irregularly, and there is also a cafe called "Nagasaki Jiro Cafe" on the second floor of the building, which has become a place of relaxation for locals.In addition, with a view of the trams from the windows, it is a place that soothes the souls of travelers as well.

A Japanese-style bar where you can enjoy Kumamoto's local cuisine, including horse sashimi

JAPANESE BAR Kaminoura Shokudo

Even in Kumamoto City, where popular restaurants are crammed together, the bar "Kaminoura Shokudo" is particularly lively. What sets it apart from ordinary bars is that it has a Japanese theme; manager Miyamoto-san explains its roots by saying, "I worked in the food and beverage industry as a barista and chef, and ended up in Japanese cuisine." In addition to Kumamoto's local dishes such as horse sashimi, the bar menu is packed with Japanese seasonings such as miso and soy sauce. The dishes, which use Kumamoto ingredients, have a gentle flavor and are simple, yet you can still really taste the ingredients.

Also, if you come here, you should definitely order the tofu dishes. The dishes made with tofu from Kumamoto tofu shop "Tashiroya" are popular menu items with many repeat customers. Kumamoto's tofu, which has delicious water, is known to be delicious even when eaten raw. We recommend pairing this tofu dish with a natural wine. In addition to wine, they also have a wide selection of local sake, making this a great place to spend a fun night in Kumamoto.

Recommended for souvenir hunting. Come and buy miscellaneous goods and clothes that will enrich your life.

Living tools + clothing Kurasu

The Shirakawa River flows majestically through the central-northern part of Kumamoto City. On the third floor of an old building standing right next to the river is a shop with a unique presence called "Kurashi no Dogu + Koromo Kurasu." This lifestyle shop was originally located in the suburbs, but moved to this location after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

The store was opened with the idea of "being like a 'nest' for daily life," and is lined with everyday items that you'll want to add to your daily life, as well as everyday clothing that gives off a handmade feel. The selection of products that hits the spot for lovers of miscellaneous goods was made by the store owner, Anna. "We select standard items that will fit into your lifestyle and can be used for a long time," she said calmly. The store, which is filled with all sorts of things related to daily life, is sure to welcome people warmly like a perch today.

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JAL Kyushu Support Project "Let's go to Kyushu!"

When you purchase the "Let's Go! Kyushu" plan, the JAL Group will donate a portion of its profits (500 yen per person) to the Kumamoto Castle, Aso Shrine, and Other Disaster-Affected Cultural Properties Reconstruction Support Committee as a donation to support the reconstruction of Kumamoto Castle and Aso Shrine.

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■ Related articles about Kumamoto Prefecture

A journey through history and spring water in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Part 1)

This trip is to Kikuchi City, located in the northern part of Kumamoto Prefecture. It is a historic town that gave birth to the Kikuchi clan and is blessed with abundant nature with crystal clear spring water. I was impressed by the Kikuchi Valley and the active stone bridge built by the stonemasons of Higo. This is a report on Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, without using a rental car.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

Run along the seaside and visit the churches of the World Heritage site of Amakusa. What is the appeal of a "travel run" in an unfamiliar town?

In junior high and high school, she was a member of the brass band and played the trombone. She had almost no connection to sports, but it was only after she entered the workforce that she discovered running. Her father, who was originally a runner, encouraged her to jog around the house after coming home from work, along with her father and her sister.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

*Some content was updated on September 27, 2019.