SUMITSUGU HOUSE East

For families with more than 2-3 people, I'd advise against booking this place. We feel we were scammed. There's technically just one bathroom, with one toilet and one bath, plus steep stairs that are poorly lit. The bunk beds are all in one room. Agoda lists it as a hotel, but it isn't one, and it certainly isn't 4 stars.

We stayed here on April 26th, 29th, and 30th. Keep in mind there's a flight of stairs to climb before you reach the guesthouse, which could be a challenge with large or heavy bags. This is a clean, post-war-style place from 1949, with old beams and pillars kept in lovely condition. You can see the marks of time on each pillar. The big bunk beds were comfortable, and the modern bathroom makes a striking contrast with the nostalgic exterior. The island has a special, captivating charm of its own. It suits families with cars or groups of friends traveling light.

The owner was very helpful at check-in and showed us the different facilities. The place is a converted old post-war wooden house, with beautiful interior decor, and it felt like a special place to stay in Kumamoto. It's very close to the shopping street and Kumamoto Castle, with a 24-hour supermarket right next door. Very convenient for tourists!