🗺️ Sakura Horse Racing Track, Jo Sai-en桜の馬場 城彩苑

Sakura Horse Field Castle Color Garden is located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle and is an outdoor tourist exchange facility that recreates the castle town of the Edo period. Here, you can enjoy Kumamoto's local cuisine at restaurants, shop for specialty products, and participate in experiential facilities that teach about Kumamoto's history. In the "Sakura Alley," lined with over 20 dining and shopping establishments, you can taste famous local delicacies from Kumamoto Prefecture, such as horse meat sashimi, Aso red beef, and Amakusa seafood. Additionally, there are many snacks available for on-the-go eating, including instant dumplings, fried horse meat cutlets, sea urchin croquettes, and Jintaiko soft serve ice cream. You can also purchase unique Kumamoto souvenirs like spicy lotus root and Kumamoto shochu. Among these, the "Kumamoto Castle Museum Yuyuzaka" is a facility where you can experience the charm of Kumamoto and Kumamoto Castle. With a realistic VR experience of Kumamoto Castle, it recreates the appearance of the castle during the Edo period and before the Kumamoto earthquake, highlighting must-see points of Kumamoto Castle, which is recommended to watch before visiting the castle. The 3D projections of the damage and restoration of Kumamoto Castle vividly depict the situation during the earthquake through images and sound. On the second floor, the Story Palace introduces historical events of Kumamoto through drama and video. There are also many engaging participatory facilities, such as riding in a palanquin for Sankin-kotai and experiencing being a ninja by wearing ninja costumes. Additionally, in the "Waterfront Space" within the facility, you can enjoy a performance by the "Kumamoto Castle Welcoming Samurai Team" every day at 11:30.

Recreating the streetscape of the castle town. On "Sakura Street," there are numerous restaurants and gift shops. The "Kumamoto Castle Museum Yuyuzaka" not only provides insights into the history and culture of Kumamoto Castle but also explains the damage the castle sustained during the Kumamoto earthquake and the status of its reconstruction. There is also a comprehensive tourist information center that offers sightseeing information for Kumamoto City and Kumamoto Prefecture.