Sakuranobaba Johsaien

Sakuranobaba Johsaien is a visitor center complex next to Kumamoto Castle with areas for information, shopping, and dining. The site includes a tourism office, a section called Wakuwakuza featuring historical displays, and a shopping arcade with local shops and restaurants spread across the grounds.

The center opened in 2011 as a new way to present Kumamoto's history to visitors through interactive displays. Wakuwakuza, the exhibition area, was built to show how the city changed and developed across different time periods.

The Sakuranokoji shopping area is designed to resemble a traditional Japanese castle town, showing visitors how such places looked centuries ago. Walking through, you see local craftspeople and shop owners selling regional products that represent what people in this area still value today.

Different sections operate on different schedules, so check ahead for what interests you before arriving. The grounds are right next to the castle and easy to walk through, with paths connecting the various buildings and shops.

The center provides information in multiple languages to help international visitors understand the region. What sets it apart is that parts of the exhibition use digital displays to bring historical moments and places to life in ways traditional museums often do not.