• Home
  • Travel
    • Shinkansen (Bullet Trains)
    • JR Pass
    • Local Train Passes
  • Categories
    • Hokkaido
    • Tohoku
    • Kansai
    • Tokyo
    • Kyushu
  • About
  • Contact
  • Translation Request

Jin Travels Japan

Instagram Bluesky
Kumamoto Castle Replica
Museums usually make me yawn, but this one right here? It made me battle a dead novelist. At Wakuwakuza – Kumamoto’s tech-infused history hub, I watched earthquake-damaged walls via 3D tech, attempted to lift a palanquin heavier than my luggage, and defeated Japan’s literary giant in his native language. Here’s why this museum is the perfect castle visit primer!

Rebuilding Castles and Earthquakes: Hands-On History

Wakuwakuza is on our left!
There's a reason why we visited Wakuwakuza before Kumamoto Castle – not just because we parked right next to it, but also because how we knew it's going to give us a great overview of Kumamoto Castle's history before actually visiting the star (that's why it's the primer, just like how it adds a great base to our makeup!).

Wakuwakuza’s pièce de résistance is its 3D Castle Restoration Simulator. Using motion sensors, visitors “reconstruct” Kumamoto Castle’s iconic walls stone by stone. The catch? A timer counts down as earthquake tremors (simulated via rumbling floors) threaten your progress. My group’s attempt looked more like a Jenga tower gone wrong – but we learned why Kato Kiyomasa’s 400-year-old musha-gaeshi walls outlast modern concrete.

This is a test to my Japanese reading skills
The footage of damage to Kumamoto Castle sobered me up from the food coma I had from Sotetsu Grand Fresa's buffet breakfast. Real-time cameras show the progress of repair works on the castle damage. It’s a way of direct storytelling, where you can watch two videos played on loop with one showing Kumamoto Castle directly after the disaster and the other showing the inside of the keep, Honmaru Goten Palace and turrets.


Even though it was just five pieces of rock, it took me a while...
There are also these experiences that you shall not miss when you're here:

  • 📽️ Projection Mapping Theater: Watch Kumamoto Castle “rebuild itself” across eras via an audiovisual reconstruction of the damage Kumamoto Castle sustained during the earthquake projected on a 3D model, including fallen walls, roof tiles and turrets while learning about how the castle will be reconstructed.
  • 🖥️ Live camera feeds from the grounds: There are a total of eight cameras that have been set up around Kumamoto castle, and here you can view the reconstruction efforts in real time through the monitors!
  • 🪨 Stone Wall Making Experience: There are stations where you can experience making a stone wall in the style of those at Kumamoto Castle. Multiple pieces of rocks in different shapes are available for you to figure how to build the signature curved stone walls to fend off attacks!

Samurai Selfies and Time-Travel Tango

For those who love taking photos, the Edo Period Dress-Up Corner turns history into Instagram gold. While I'm not interested in the queue, I saw many options available! You can opt for a daimyō lord’s outfit, or to dress like a noble lady! 

Nearby the area, there's also a palanquin where you can sit inside, and you can also attempt to lift it! I gave that a try instead, and failed miserably considering I didn't train my glutes very well and skipped a lot of leg days. But hey, if you're up for a challenge, why not try giving it a lift, right?

Quiz Battle Royale: Me vs. Natsume Soseki

Perfect victory at Wakuwakuza!
After circling around the museum, there came my unexpected triumph. The History Heroes Quiz Battle pits visitors against several Kumamoto legends such as Kato Kiyomasa, Miyamoto Musashi, and more! I picked Natsume Soseki – Japan’s famous novelist, who taught here in 1896. The catch? Questions were Japanese-only, but your girl right here had no trouble navigating everything, and eventually had a perfect victory against his quiz! So here's some information about him if you're interested!

Natsume Soseki: Kumamoto’s Beloved Modern Novelist

"Facts, remembered or not, are all, alas, still facts." — Natsume Soseki, I Am a Cat

Before becoming Japan’s literary giant, Soseki was a 29-year-old English teacher in Kumamoto from 1896. He began his literary career at 1903, contributed haiku, haitaishi, and literary sketches to literary magazines. He may have not stayed in Kumamoto for very, very long (only about 4 years and 3 months), yet Kumamoto inspired his first novel, I Am a Cat, which is still a well-loved satirical novel till this very day.

As someone who used to work on fan translations and now working in localization projects in tech, I absolutely love how Soseki taught the importance of localization. Why, you asked? Well, do you know how Soseki translated the English phrase "I love you" into Japanese? The answer isn't the typical Google Translated "Aishiteru" or his student's direct translation "Ware Kimi wo Aisu", but it was "Tsuki ga kirei desu ne" (月が綺麗ですね), which means "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" — because as a product of his time and culture in the Meiji period, the direct translation makes no sense in Japanese sensibility, where people do not confess love in such direct manners, and hence the nuanced translation was born, showing the great importance of localization.

Practical Magic: Tickets, Tips and Avoiding Field Trips

Exhibit in Wakuwakuza

With how I happily showed off my victory to my friends, we were ready to end our time in Wakuwakuza to head straight to Kumamoto Castle! Before that, here are some tips and information for Wakuwakuza Museum in Kumamoto!

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (No entry after 5 PM)
Closed: December 29th ~ 31st
Admission:
- Adults: ¥300
- Combo (Castle + Museum): ¥850 – Save ¥250!

Pro Tips:
  • 🚌 If you're coming here via trams, it's about 4-minute by foot from Hanabatacho stop!
  • 🗣️ Avoid visiting during December 29th to 31st - they are closed!
  • 📸 Dress-up can be crowded – arrive as early as possible for best costumes!
“History isn’t dates – it’s the dirt under Kiyomasa’s nails, Soseki’s lost haiku drafts. Wakuwakuza gets that.”

P.S. Do consider supporting my castle-hopping habit! Book Kumamoto hotels via my Agoda link or snag discounted Japan rail passes here. It won't cost you more, but it'll support this blog and keep me motivated to write! Also, have you visited Kumamoto Castle? Or are you planning to visit soon? Let me know in the comments below!
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
As we reached our halfway mark of our Kyushu journey, we've already stayed in a city hotel (thankfully we weren't parking overnight because parking rates there were scary), a super spacious but unmanned hotel, a city Michelin-starred double story ryokan, a full-board luxury retreat with top-tier service on top of the private hot spring bath, and now we are back to another city hotel in a different city! There were many reasons why we decided to stay here, and in this post I'll walk you through our stay!

The Backstory: 3 Friends, 1 Double Room

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto red signage glowing against night sky, Shinshigai Arcade nearby
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto signage glowing against night sky

There’s something about traveling with childhood friends that turns even simple hotel stays into adventures. When Friend A (now a Singapore-based architect and artist), Friend B (our legal advisor), and I (the self-appointed trip planner) rolled into Kumamoto after our Mt. Aso disappointment, we needed a base that offers:

  • 🚗 Affordable parking in the city while being close enough to downtown
  • 🛍️ Convenient location that is close enough to downtown for our shopping needs
  • 🧳 Somewhere to store multiple 23kg suitcases + day packs🛌 Separate beds for our late 20s backs
     
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto promised all this at just about RM660 per night, while also including a buffet breakfast! So that's approximately RM220 per person (during peak season, by the way, and the surrounding hotels that were available would cost us four digits!)! But would its "triple room" (technically double room made for triple use) work for our squad? Here’s the real tea!


Parking Panic to Discount Victory


“Wait, no hotel parking?!” I panicked as I realized it only after I've made our hotel booking.

After my booking, I immediately messaged the hotel via Agoda's system. The staff very soon sent us a pamphlet with nearby parking buildings available, and discounted rates for our parking as well. The catch? Without their discount, overnight parking could easily cost you more than a whole day's meal! With it? ¥1,000 – way, WAY cheaper than the parking lot outside Quintessa Hakata. Read here for the parking lot locations, and note that content and pricing may subject to change.

💡Pro Tip: Pack your luggage separately (and strategically) so you only carry your valuables with you to reduce the need to bring everything with you! Unless you also wanted to do your laundries, like my friends did!


The Room: Tetris Champion Required

    Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto Hotel Room
    Our room doesn't come with a lot of floor space, you can probably tell that already, but it is typical in Japanese business hotels. Especially in the cities.

Every first encounter with our business hotel rooms in Japan felt like unboxing a Japanese bento – compact but meticulously arranged. Our “Twin + Extra Bed” setup came with:

  • 🛏️ Two main beds: 120cm wide, standard hotel firmness, not too soft but not too hard
  • 📏 Third bed: A 90cm cot-sized addition against the wall, firmness is a little on the harder side
  • 🧳 Floor space: We staged suitcase openings like a NASA mission, because they can barely fit before our beds (but we managed)

As the volunteer for the narrow bed, I did so because:

  • 👍 I have two power banks with me, so it's fine even if I didn't sleep beside an outlet for a night or two
  • 👍 I am always the one waking up the earliest among us, so there won't be morning light slapping my face at 6am (bring an eye mask if you can't stand it!)
  • 👍 My slipped discs would prefer firmer beds

And needless to say, after a whole evening of walking and chatting after our meal at Katsuretsu Tei, I slept like a baby even though I wished to have more pillows!


Bathtub Therapy for the Weary Traveler

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto Bathroom
The bathroom, small and compact

After our Michelin tonkatsu feast, I claimed first dibs on the tub. At 171cm/78kg, I can sit snugly in the bathtub, and the warm water was just perfect. Additionally, the bath salts (provided free, so help yourself at the lobby along with other amenities) and my Spotify playlist made it a A-tier experience. It's definitely better than the shoebox-sized bathroom I have back at home that doesn't come with a bathtub, needless to say!

Also, did you know? The hotel has installed a water purification system in the entire hotel, all the water in the hotel has been transformed into SOU-BI-SUI water. It removes impurities and residual chlorine, so it helps with recovering fatigue! Not to mention it also helps with my eczema-prone skin! 

p/s: They also have the same system installed in their Bangkok branch!


Breakfast: Fuel for Castle Conquests


Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto Breakfast Hall
Breakfast Hall

The breakfast hall surprised us – not with variety, but efficiency:
  • 🍚 Star item: Fluffy rice + furikake flavors (the Kumamon packaging on the seaweed-sesame furikake was *chef’s kiss*)
  • ☕ Coffee hack: Mix the bitter brew with milk tea sachets for DIY café au lait
  • ⏰ Timing: Arrive as early as it opens! The place would be PACKED if you're a little late!

Was it worth the additional fees in our booking for included breakfast? Definitely yes! Imagine walking around Japan for so many days, it's a nice treat to weary bodies and also for another few more days of walking! Plus, you won't want to eat something from convenience stores every day, right? 😉


Laundry Logistics & Late-Night TV

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto coin laundry room with washing machines and detergent dispenser
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto coin laundry room with washing machines and detergent dispenser

Our evening unfolded in two acts:

Friends A & B: Became laundry samurai, battling for machines at 9pm. Their feedback:
“Two washers for so many of us? Bring a book! But ¥300/load is a steal.”

Me: Channel-surfed NHK news channels and The Apothecary Diaries while soaking to rehydrate myself like a deserted goldfish finding water.

Pro Tip: If you are traveling with a suitcase, consider separating your laundry in a smaller bag!


Final Verdict: Who Should Book Here?

After multiple hotel checks across Kyushu by now, we know there are pros and cons in every place we stayed. So I’d recommend Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto if:
  • ✅ You’re exploring downtown Kumamoto (it’s also 15-min walk to the castle)
  • ✅ Need group affordability (The price beats most business hotels)
  • ✅ Value late-night convenience (Convenience stores are super close, and vending machine is right at the lobby)
Skip if:
  • ❌ You’re looking for a very spacious room for a whole family (homestays may be a better option)
  • ❌ Need luxury amenities 

And that's our take on Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto! If you find this blog post helpful, please consider to support my blog and future adventures! Book your stay at Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto via my Agoda link or check Kumamoto flight deals or car rentals on Trip.com. It doesn't cost you more, but it'd be a motivator to keep me writing, a win-win for us!
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
Plans change. Sometimes you wished to defy fate, especially when you want to have things go your way for a journey you planned so meticulously. Despite the number of times I refreshed the website for Mt. Aso's crater activity in hopes to see the alert go away so perhaps we can still have a glimpse before sunset, it didn't happen.

But will that actually stop me? When I've been dreaming of seeing volcanic craters with my own eyes? Of course not! So guess who's stopping by at Aso Station because there might be a chance we'd still be able to check if local buses can operate to take us there, right?

Yeap, that was me with my wishful thinking.


Usopp Statue Kumamoto
Proof we pivoted from volcanoes to anime pilgrimages!

That, ladies and gentlemen, was how I ended up taking pictures of the bronze Usopp statue from One Piece while side-eyeing bus schedules in Aso Station, and such was our afternoon after leaving Joyfull Aso before heading to our stop at Kumamoto, but of course Kumamoto still delivered joy (and crispy pork) we never saw coming!

Aso Scenery
Image taken along the way from Aso to Kumamoto


So in this blog post, I'll be taking you to a little journey of how we end up utilizing our backup plan, even though I really didn't wish to use this plan at all. So if you do ever need to find something to do as an alternative plan when Mt. Aso isn't in the mood to see humans, perhaps this post can help you!


Detour: Usopp Statue & The Bus That Wasn’t Operating

There are actually ten different statues of the current locations all across Kumamoto Prefecture, consisting ten different characters where I'll be sharing a map below! Popular characters such as Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Zoro, Nami, Robin and more are listed. While none of us actually managed to finish watching the entire series of One Piece, we decided to still take a photo of Usopp while we're here at Aso Station!



By the time we arrived at Aso Station, the day was still bright and breezy, and it's difficult to imagine there were actually some volcanic activity happening not too far away from us, so my hopes were brought up once again as I gleefully ran my way from the parking lot to the bus station to search for their latest operation updates!


Aso station Kumamoto
Aso Station from the parking lot

However, with Mt. Aso still belching uninvited gas, what we ended up doing at Aso Station were:
✔️ Confirming that buses to Mt. Aso were still canceled (sigh +999)
✔️ Take pictures of Usopp’s statue (since we're here, might as well, right?)
✔️ Secretly hope the Straw Hat crew would manifest a crater visit for us (didn't happen in time, it is what it is)

So, the final result?

Gas emissions: 1, Jin’s volcano dreams: 0.

Oh well, at least Usopp’s standing tall for us to photograph him, and Mt. Aso isn't going anywhere. So in defeat, I've accepted our reality and drove back to Kumamoto.

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto
The 5pm check-in rush—worth it for that bathtub later.

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto: Check-In Chaos & Bathtub Bliss

By evening, we parked our car in a nearby building (with a discounted rate!), brought what's necessary (without leaving valuables in our car), and dragged our suitcases to Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto, where:
  • The self-check-in machines were packed (pro tip: arrive pre-3pm to avoid queues, or just check in much later)
  • The room had a bathtub comfortable enough to drown my Aso disappointment (with some help from bath salts)
  • The location was perfect—Shinshigai arcade is just steps away!

We booked a triple room so we got a bed each! The room is nowhere as spacious as the room we stayed in Kokura, but it was enough for a one-night stay. Plus their coin laundromat was available (as per my friends' request) so it was still a pretty big W for us, despite them needing to queue for quite a while to get laundry done. And since we noticed the queue, we decided to just head out and do laundry later, so off to Shinshigai Arcade we go!

Shinshigai Arcade: Shopping & Michelin-Starred Pork

With our hotel being super close to the shopping arcade, it's clearly the first stop for us right after check-in! Consisting of various shops from drugstores to souvenirs, fashion to karaoke outlets, there are plenty to do here!

As a self-proclaimed shopaholic, we hit Kumamoto’s famous arcade for three priorities:

1. Retail Therapy

Kumamoto Shopping Arcade
Strolling as we go~

With the super filling meal we had from Joyfull Aso, our tummies were still pretty much filled even after checking in! So we shopped for a while along the streets, from looking at quirky souvenirs to checking out drugstore items to compare prices and of course, checking out more Kumamon merch (because obviously that's a NEED if you're traveling to Kumamoto), we window-shopped until we got really hungry, and that's when we began walking to indulge in our next Michelin-starred stop!


2. Katsuretsu Tei’s Tonkatsu (★)

Michelin-starred tonkatsu at Katsuretsu Tei in Kumamoto
Not all Michelin-starred meals have to break the bank, trust me

At this Michelin-starred spot, we devoured:
  • 💎 Premium loin katsu (so tender it made me forget about volcanoes for a moment)
  • 🍚 Bottomless rice & cabbage (because carbs heal wounds)
  • ✨ Secret sauce (with some grinding involved)

While I personally have a stronger preference for my tonkatsu at Gohantotororo Toromugi, I absolutely love the idea of grinding your own sesame to blend with their tonkatsu sauce! It might feel a little tiring at first, but doing this together with friends can be fun, and the meal tastes unique and gives you a sense of accomplishment so I'd say it's still a great experience!


Michelin-starred tonkatsu at Katsuretsu Tei in Kumamoto
Crispy, juicy, and worth every calorie.

Since we're able to order rice and cabbage refills, I managed to finish another three bowls of rice, and rest assured my tummy was filled and happy! Oh did I mention we actually had to queue for a seat because there were so many of us queueing in their main branch? It's popular with the locals and travelers too, and I definitely understand why after a meal here.

3. Art Museum

Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto
Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto

After our meal, we decided to drop by Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto as we strolled along the downtown. There are different sections that we can visit for free, and there's also an exhibition that is time-limited that will require an entrance fee. We actually also managed to see works by Yayoi Kusama, and we're really happy too! 


Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto
Contemplating life in a Contemporary Art Museum (featuring Friend B)

There are also many art pieces made of sand that are beautifully arranged, and 'mesmerizing' was the least creative word I could think of when it comes to describing them. It almost feels like we could really spend hours and hours here!


Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto Drawing
I also colored this while waiting for Friend A to browse the rest of the paid exhibition!


Not to mention, they also have various merchandise, art prints, frames, and so much more that you can also purchase! I also managed to find prints from an artist I happened to know from a collaboration with my favorite voice actor's narrations, so I was really happy (and did spend quite a while to pick which print to get).


Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto
As someone who likes clear, shiny things, they caught my eye (especially the emerald-colored one)


After a lot of standing and walking, we decided to stroll back along the shopping arcade instead of going for a karaoke session so I can get my daily soak like a fish out of water, while my friends can get their laundries done!

Laundry vs. Baths: The Evening Divide

After returning to our hotel, our group split:
  • 👚 Friends A & B: Laundromat warriors (bless them, the queue was still long but they gotta do what they gotta do)
  • 🛁 Me: Soaking in the tub like a happy goldfish for the entire hour

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto
Our room comes with TV with multiple channels (though all in Japanese)


I headed straight to the tub as soon as I tossed my coat onto my bed, heard my friends heading out, and thankfully brought my phone, along with my onsen bath salt to enjoy my me-time in the bathtub while listening to my favorite music, clearing my game dailies, and updating my family on my travels. By the time my friends were back almost an hour later, I was just about to get out from the tub to catch some sleep!

Though we did end up chatting more while watching TV while they took their turns to shower and sort out their suitcases, and that's how we ended our day!


What's Next: Morning Buffet Redemption

On the following morning it's going to be a day where we explore a little more in Kumamoto before leaving the city with its super lovable mascot! But of course, our room did come with breakfast, so we'll talk about that next time!


Tips and Key Takeaways

From our experience of missing out the crater and having to change our plans, there are definitely a few things I'd like to share!
  • 🔥 Mt. Aso closures? You'd also want to check bus schedules here first (especially if you're visiting Mt. Aso by public transportation) and always have a backup plan.
  • 🍖 Katsuretsu Tei: Worth the Michelin hype (go before 7pm!)
  • 🛌 Sotetsu Grand Fresa: Book a room that comes with a bathtub along with a breakfast plan, you'll appreciate it if you're walking a little too much!

If you're also looking for accommodation or tickets and would love to support my blog, kindly consider booking via my referral links! It doesn't cost you more, but it'll help supporting my blog when you make a booking!
👉 Book here via my Agoda referral link (click here)
Or if you're still looking for flight tickets, consider booking here at Trip.com (click here)!


"Save this itinerary for your Kumamoto backup plan! Pin it below or bookmark for later. Also, ever had a Plan B day that outshined Plan A? Share your stories below! ↓
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
Meal at Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant
Lunch!


"You attract what you fear," they said. 


And they were right.

Our original plan? End our hike at Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, drive up to Mt. Aso, stand at the edge of its majestic crater, and feel like tiny, insignificant specks in the grand scheme of nature.

Reality? "Absolutely not," gas emissions said.


webpage information on mt. aso status
The webpage message I wished not to see...


Yes, plans do change—especially when volcanoes are involved, and no matter how meticulously I tried to plan my trip in an Excel sheet. Our dream of standing at Mt. Aso’s crater edge was dashed by gas emissions, but Joyfull’s Salisbury steak and free-flow melon soda saved the day. Here’s why this budget-friendly chain is a road-tripper’s best friend.

So instead of sulking (okay, maybe a little sulking), we rerouted to Aso City for the next best thing: food. Specifically, a glorious, budget-friendly feast at Joyfull. Because if Mother Nature denies you volcanic wonders, at least let Salisbury steak and free-flow melon soda heal your soul.

It's a little over 2 months since I've written weekly posts about my girls trip to Kyushu, Japan! If you've followed so far, you probably knew how much I love dining at Saizeriya (and Japanese family restaurants) so there are no other reasons why we shouldn't be dropping by at Joyfull at Aso City. 



Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant Signboard - Aso Kumamoto
Opens 24 hours. What a blessing.


Why Joyfull? Parking, Affordability & the Allure of Free-Flow Drinks

Meal at Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant Interior
We sat nearby! And you can kinda see the soft drinks machine on the left now, I think!


Sure, there were other restaurants available, but we were already hungry and we did spend a little too much on our earlier days at Beppu and Takachiho (don't get me wrong, every yen spent was worth it) so a budget-friendly restaurant was the first choice in mind. It was also the only family restaurant we could find on the map back then because there were no Saizeriya or Gusto near Aso City too, so Joyfull was the immediate choice.

Also, since we were driving in Japan, so parking space has been a concern, but here at Joyfull, parking was a breeze! Joyfull locations (like most Japanese family restaurants) usually have spacious lots, and this Aso branch was no exception. No circling like a vulture hunting for a spot—just pull in, park, and prepare for a meal that won’t break the bank.

Not to mention, though I've probably said this before, the main reasons why family restaurants like Joyfull are a godsend for travelers, and here's why:
  • Budget-friendly: Unlike fancy izakayas or tourist traps, family restaurants in Japan offers huge portions at wallet-friendly prices.
  • Free-flow drinks: The Joydrink bar (in this context, from Joyfull, provides unlimited soft drinks and coffee) is a steal with just a small purchase of their menu item!
  • Comfort food galore: From Japanese classics to Western-style dishes, there’s something for everyone—even picky eaters.

Pro Tip: If you’re road-tripping in Kyushu, Joyfull (along with Saizeriya, Gusto and Jonathan’s and other family restaurants) is a reliable pit stop for affordable, hearty meals. Oh by the way, if you've heard of Shabu-yo (yes, the shabu-shabu buffet) restaurant in Malaysia, it is also operated by Skylark, which also runs Gusto and Jonathan's as well as many other restaurants all across Japan!



What We Ordered (And Why It Was a Big W for Us)

1. The Daily Lunch Set (¥768, tax included)

Meal at Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant - Rice, Hamburg, Gyoza
My lunch!


"Today’s Special: Grand Salisbury Steak + Rice + Free-Flow Drinks & Soups"


I went for the daily lunch set, which included a juicy Salisbury steak smothered in demi-glace sauce, a plate of rice (and if you add just 100 yen more you can enjoy unlimited rice refills too!), and—most importantly—unlimited access to the Joydrink bar and soup. 

The menu without add-ons are actually just 500 yen, but who doesn't love free flow drinks and soup? I'm definitely not someone who'd pass on such an opportunity. So, with the generous offer from Joyfull, it's pretty clear why this was a big win for me. The hamburg was more tender than I expected, the sauce rich without being cloying, and the rice portion was just enough.


Meal at Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant - Drink Bar
On the left you can get cups/glasses, and from the middle to the right you can get water, coffee, tea, (soft drinks machine is on the leftmost of the image, though not in the image, oops), and the rightmost machine is for their soup!

Also, the corn soup? Addictive! I shamelessly refilled my bowl three times! THREE full bowls of soup! And I also tried out their onion soup and needless to say, I have no regrets and I would do it again and again.

Plus, the drinks section offered free-flow melon soda—because nothing says "I’m on vacation in Japan" like neon-green fizzy drinks at 2 PM, right? And to think that I can make yet another concoction with a mixture of different kinds of fizzy drinks? Another big W for me indeed.

2. Cheese Salisbury Steak & Premium Diced Steak (¥1,065, tax included)

Meal at Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant - Hamburg with Diced Steak
Omnomnomnom


Of course, how could merely a plate of rice and some hamburg satisfy someone like me? Yours truly, the one who ate so much rice back in Takachiho? Wheher it was because I was spoilt too much by the local food or if it's just my insatiable appetite, ordering just the Today's Special was definitely going to be a miscalculation on my end, because I knew I craved for more meat!

So, as a self-proclaimed meat enthusiast, along with my earlier menu, I also ordered this protein-packed combo to fill myself up even more. Yes, it was under the gazes of surprise from not just my friends, but the waitress who took our order as well because there were four set meals for just a table of three! But hey, can you blame me when the images looked so good on their menu? 

Not to mention, the cheese-stuffed Salisbury steak oozed gloriously when cut, while the diced steak was surprisingly tender for the price, and even if I did overfill myself, it was all worth it!

3. Chicken Namban Teishoku (Friend A’s Choice, ¥658)

Friend A went for something popular locally, and of course it was a great choice! Knowing how she enjoyed tempura back in Beppu, I figured she'd enjoy fried chicken. She enjoyed the Chicken Namban—crispy chicken drenched in their sweet and sour sauce added with tartar sauce. 

The portion was generous, and the tangy glaze balanced the richness perfectly. Her set meal also came with miso soup and some side dish, along with rice, so it was a hearty meal for her too!

4. Tenjin Rice with Gyoza Set (Friend B’s Pick, ¥955)

Friend B, who happens to be interested in the differences between Chinese food in Malaysia and Japan, decided to order their Tenjin rice that also comes with gyoza. Her appetite is small, so we did end up sharing some gyoza together, and I managed to also have a bite of her rice.

Topped with a layer of egg, the rice is soaked in savory broth, reminding me a little of man-fan (or some people call them mui-fun) back here in Malaysia, but personally I still very much preferred the rice I had back at home, the wok-hei just hits different when it's from home, I'm sure any Malaysian could relate to my sentiment in this one.

5. Special Gyoza (5 for ¥372, tax included)

But of course, how can we not try the gyoza in Japan when we knew it's different from Malaysia? So we shared an order of gyoza, because no Japanese meal is complete without dumplings. While it may not compare to the gyoza I personally loved from Onomichi, the ones from Joyfull still had that sweet crisp-to-juicy ratio, and at ¥75 per piece? Absolute steal if you asked me, since it allowed us to enjoy add-ons for the Joycafe drinks!



Meal at Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant
The semi-aftermath, from Friend B's perspective and we had no more pictures because we were so hungry we focused on our meals rather than taking pictures



The Joydrink Bar: A Sugar-Fueled Paradise

And since we did order food items of over ¥299 (before taxes), my friends got unlimited access to drinks for an additional ¥262 per person (price may have been updated after our trip btw)!

For soup bar access, I was told that it comes with additional purchase on top of my daily menu, but since my friends didn't really want the soup, so I was the only one adding soup to my option, so personally, for just under 800 yen (refer #1), I had unlimited access to:

  • Soft drinks (Coca-Cola, melon soda, iced tea, and other soft drinks)
  • Hot drinks (coffee, tea)
  • Soups (corn and onion—both delicious but I really have a liking for their corn soups!)

With that, I maximized my ROI (Return on Indulgence) by:
✅ Chugging melon soda like it was my job
✅ Downing even more glasses of cola like my life depended on it
✅ Pretending 4 bowls of soup was a good idea at 2 PM (it wasn’t, I was bloated after also eating two hamburgs, no regrets tho')

Pro Tip: If you’re someone who eats and drinks very little, the bar may not be a must, since they do offer ala carte menu options for their drinks. But if you’re like me—someone who drinks almost endlessly and gets delighted at the sound of 'free flow'? This is a must!


Final Thoughts: When Volcanoes Say No, Joyfull Says "Eat More"

Joyfull Japanese Family Restaurant Interior
Their washroom is at the other end, to the left from their payment counter


Was it a once-in-a-lifetime experience? No, but if you asked me if I'd come back to Joyfull, I'd always say yes, yes and YES! With how much I ate, it's a no brainer and I'd do this again and again!

✅ Affordable? Heck yes! Our bill ended up with ¥5,044 for the three of us, and we all had our fill!
✅ When it also comes with unlimited drinks and soup? A huge steal!
✅ Convenient? Easy parking, quick service, and comfy seats. Very clean toilets too!
✅ Worth it? If you want a filling, no-fuss meal after a long hike? 100%!


p/s: If you love, LOVE senbei but wanted to have it all to yourself? I gotchu! Here in Joyfull Aso Ichinomiya branch, I did purchase ware-senbei (it's the mentaiko senbei but had manufacturing defects where they are not in their perfect shapes, but perfectly edible) from the payment counter for self consumption. It's not recommended to use it as a souvenir for others, though, since its packaging is a simplified one (hence discounted) but I'd indulge in more senbei anytime!

Also a bonus for travelers: Joyfull locations are all over Japan, making them a reliable option whether you’re in Kumamoto, Fukuoka, or beyond!

Whether you’re heading to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine or visiting Mt. Aso, or perhaps driving from Kumamoto to Beppu or even staying a night at Takachiho, why not considering a stop at Aso? Perhaps pairing it with a meal at Joyfull Aso Ichinomiya like what we did could be part of your ultimate budget-friendly trip too!

📌 Need a place to stay? Check out my exclusive Agoda deals for the best accommodations in Kumamoto:
👉 Book here via my Agoda referral link (click here), it doesn't cost you more, but it'll help supporting my blog when you make a booking!


Have you tried Joyfull? What's your favorite dish? Or ever had to pivot plans because of weather (or volcanoes)? Where did you end up going? Drop a comment below and let me know! 🍛🔥
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
Newer Posts
Older Posts

About Me

Image may contain: 1 person, standing, ocean and outdoor
Jin, Type A ENFP, Virgo-Libra Cusp
Slytherin
Multilingual and travels to Japan for various purposes.
Avid mobile game player.

Feel free to follow, like and subscribe my channels and pages!


ジン・A型・ENFP・乙女と天秤座のハーフ
スリザリン・レイブンクロー
4つ言語話せます。様々な原因で日本に行く。
モバゲーもよくしています。

チャネル・ページ登録よろしくお願いします!


対応可能言語/ Languages:
・英語 (English)
・中国語(Mandarin)
・マレー語(Malay)
・日本語(Japanese)

Follow Us

recent posts

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2025 (23)
    • ►  June (5)
    • ►  May (4)
    • ▼  April (4)
      • Wakuwakuza Museum: Time Travel, Trivia and Tangoin...
      • Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto Review: Budget Stay o...
      • When Mt. Aso Said "No," Kumamoto Whispered "Here’s...
      • Fueling Up at Joyfull — A Budget Feast with Japane...
    • ►  March (6)
    • ►  February (4)
  • ►  2020 (18)
    • ►  November (1)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  June (2)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  April (3)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2019 (24)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (4)
    • ►  May (4)
    • ►  March (3)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2018 (1)
    • ►  February (1)
FOLLOW ME @INSTAGRAM

Created with by BeautyTemplates | Distributed by Gooyaabi Templates