THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO

Kumamoto is often referred to metaphorically as Hi-no-Kuni*1 (Land of Fire) and Mizu-no-Kuni*2 (Land of Water). *1: “Hi” covers a range of meanings including fire, flame, blaze, and light in English. *2: “Mizu” means water. It is called Hi-no-Kuni as a reference to Mt. Aso, which created one of the world’s largest calderas and remains active to this day, as well as to the legendary Hi-no-Kimi, a powerful clan that ruled the area roughly 1,500 years ago. It is called Mizu-no-Kuni because the volcanic activity of Mt. Aso filters rainwater underground, producing mineral-rich, high-quality spring water that is available in many places throughout the region.

JR Kumamoto Station is a stop along the Kyushu Shinkansen Line. THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO is located on the 9th to 12th floors of the JR Kumamoto Station Building, right in front of the station. The hotel provides an environment where you can intimately experience why this region is known as Hi-no-Kuni and Mizu-no-Kuni. The red carpet in the lobby symbolizes the beauty of the light cast by the Yamaga toro*3 lanterns displayed throughout, enveloping guests in warm hospitality. The courtyard connected to the lobby features a water basin that symbolizes the area’s status as Mizu-no-Kuni. Within the hotel, guests can drink natural mineral water from a dispenser, sourced directly from underground. *3: Yamaga toro––artistic lanterns made from washi paper––are a traditional craft of Kumamoto Prefecture. The Yamaga Lantern Festival, held every year on August 15 and 16 in Yamaga City, is a fantastical event where women perform an elegant dance with Yamaga toro lanterns balanced on their heads.

The hotel offers 203 guest rooms arranged around the courtyard next to the lobby. You can choose between double bed, twin bed and king-size bed rooms, each illuminated with soft lighting inspired by Yamaga toro lanterns. The rooms offer exquisite views of Kumamoto City as well as Mt. Aso and other distant mountains. The premium guest room, Hanare THE SUITE, features a charming Japanese garden and offers a truly special lodging experience, as if in a private retreat floating in the sky.

The restaurant on the 9th floor, alongside the lobby, is conveniently open nearly all day long. Breakfast is from 6:30 to 10:00 a.m.; lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and dinner from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., with bar service from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. Additionally, a shopping center occupies the 1st to 7th floors of the building, offering convenient shopping along with a wide range of dining options from fast-food outlets to full-service restaurants. Be sure to visit for a bite to eat and to find some great buys.

JR Kumamoto Station is a key transportation hub that links the Kyushu Shinkansen, conventional rail lines, and bus routes together, making it highly convenient for traveling across Kyushu. Bus routes from the station also provide access to Kumamoto Castle and Mt. Aso. When visiting Kumamoto Prefecture, don’t miss the opportunity to stay at THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO.

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