If you travel to somewhere, buying souvenir is one of fun things that I enjoy on my trip. I would like to introduce you the famous and popular souvenirs from Kumamoto!
You can find most of them (below) at shop in front of JR Kumamoto Station, so please check it out.
Kumamon – Character Goods
Kumamon is very famous and popular character from Kumamoto. For me, it looks a little bit creepy because of his eyes haha.
You can find keyholders, stationaries, and etc.
kara
I bought a “Kumamon Kokuto Donuts” (Kokuto = Brown sugar) by Fuji Bambi to my friend.
Where to buy Kumamon goods
I would say you can find them at many places.. but here are shops that i would assume they have a lot of kinds of stuff.
- Kumamon Squere
- Higo Yokamon Ichiba at JR Kumamoto Station
I got “Kumamon Kokuto Donuts” at Higo Yokamon Ichiba in front of gate of JR Kumamoto station.
Homare no Jindaiko
誉の陣太鼓（ほまれのじんだいこ）by お菓子の香梅（おかしのこうばい）
If you think someone like “Anko (Redbeans paste)”, this is perfect souvenir for them.
I bought them to my grandparents and my parents, actually i don’t have many friends who like Anko in my generation.
Shops to buy Jindaiko
- Okashi no Kobai – Official shop at Kumamoto Airport
- Higo Yokamon Ichiba at JR Kumamoto Station
Ikinari dango
いきなり団子（いきなりだんご）
If you like sweet potato, i’d recommend you to try “Ikinari dango” made from sweet potato covered with flour-made thin dough.
There are some kinds of Ikinari dango, but usually the difference between them is kind of sweet potatoes they use.
My recommendation are; purple sweet potato, and Anno Imo (Golden Yellow potato). You can have a yellow one or purple one. I got a purple one and it is yummy!!
Please just noted that it doesn’t last long time, so you or someone you would give it to need to eat up within a couple of days at longest.
Where to buy Ikinari Dango
- Higo Yokamon Ichiba at JR Kumamoto Station
Karashi Renkon
Karashi = Japanese mastard, Renkon = Lotus root
This is one of famous foods from Kumamoto. It is too spicy and honestly i cannot eat it that much .. 🙁
If you want to try this but you are not a big fan of Karashi, I would recommend you to fry it like tempura which makes it less spicy.
The most famous one is Karashi Renkon from “Mori Karashi Renkon” since it is originator of Karashi Renkon.
Where to buy Karashi Renkon by Mori Karashi Renkon
- Tsuruya (Department store)
- Sakura no Koji
- ANA festa at Aso Kumamoto Airport
- Family mart at JR Kumamoto Station
- Kumamoto Meihin Gura 熊本銘品蔵（くまもとめいひんぐら）at JR Kumamoto Station
- Shun Sai Kan 旬彩館（しゅんさいかん）at JR Kumamoto Station
Actually, you can also buy them at Mitsukoshi (Ginza), Takashimaya and so on in other big cities in Japan too.
Kumamoto Ramen
Kumamoto ramen is also one of popular foods, and you can find many kinds of kumamoto ramens!
I got a famous Kumamoto ramen : “Kokutei” for my friend and husband.
You need to cook but it is not difficult. I would recommend you to add some like green onion, moyashi (bean sprout), egg, Cha-shu (pork) and so on 🙂
Where to buy Kumamoto Ramen
- Higo Yokamon Ichiba at JR Kumamoto Station
Hope it helps you to find good souvenirs 🙂 if you find something else, please let me know!
