Vibes

Top choice in Kumamoto


Come to this cool new 'glocal' bar for an immersive experience in shōchū, Kyūshū's signature tipple. Owner and bartender Nori-san is something of a shōchū evangelist, and he's got 120 bottles on hand, so there's something for every taste. Even the door handle, light fixtures and coat hooks are made from old shōchū bottles.

Bonus: it's non-smoking, so as not to detract from the flavour of the shōchū.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kumamoto attractions

1. Lafcadio Hearn's House

0.18 MILES

Irish-Greek immigrant Lafcadio Hearn (aka Koizumi Yakumo; 1850–1904) became one of the foremost interpreters of Japanese culture for the outside world. He…

2. Wakuwaku-za

0.31 MILES

This family-friendly museum presents the history of Kumamoto and the castle from many angles, from the 10-minute video with English subtitles explaining…

3. Kumamoto-jō

0.32 MILES

Dominating the skyline, Kumamoto's robust castle is one of Japan's best, built in 1601–07 by daimyō Katō Kiyomasa, whose likeness is inescapable around…

4. Honmaru Palace

0.32 MILES

The 2008 reconstruction of the Honmaru Palace fairly gleams with fresh wood and gold-leaf paintings, particularly in the Sho-kun-no-ma receiving room…

5. Sakuranobaba Johsaien

0.33 MILES

This tourist complex at the foot of the castle grounds offers a one-stop opportunity to sample (and purchase) local foods, from fish cakes to tea to…

7. Tenshūkaku

0.35 MILES

The castle's soaring black Tenshūkaku (main building, 29.5m tall) is today a historical museum with 6th-storey lookouts. The tower was closed at the time…