Welcome to eSports × Digital Hub Ukinoba

Hello, fellow travelers!
This is “Gussan,” your SaruKuma writer.

In our household, gaming has become a special way for my husband and son to bond, and they’re always sharpening their skills together. Lately, they’ve been completely hooked on “Puyo Puyo,” and the two of them recently teamed up to join a Puyo Puyo tournament held at LATOBASE!

It was during that tournament that we learned about a dedicated facility in Kumamoto hosting eSports events — so our whole family headed straight to [eSports × Digital Hub Ukinoba].
This facility opened inside the Uki City Ogawa Branch Office as a community space where anyone can easily experience and explore digital technology.
This building, tucked into a corner near Aeon Mall Uki, is [Ukinoba].
There’s a parking lot right out front, so access is a breeze.
Step inside and you’ll find a beautifully spacious lobby.
While the entrance also serves as a guide to the city offices, [Ukinoba] is clearly visible from the doorway, so you’ll have no trouble finding it.
Here’s the entrance to [Ukinoba].
The best part? [Ukinoba] is completely free to use! It hosts meet-ups and tournaments for popular game titles, making it a must-know spot for traveling families with gaming-loving kids.

The facility also has clean restrooms with diaper-changing stations, which is a huge plus for families.

Top Highlights of eSports × Digital Hub Ukinoba

Rows of gaming PCs are lined up, ready for visitors to practice or battle in a wide range of eSports titles.
In the back, a Puyo Puyo tournament was in full swing — and the energy was electric!
With live commentary and a giant screen broadcasting the action, even spectators are in for a treat. ♪
On this particular day, players ranged from 2nd graders all the way to a grandma group — yes, really!
eSports isn’t just for the young!
It’s also said to help with brain training and dementia prevention, so we’d love to see more grandparents giving it a try.
And here’s a cozy table area where you can relax while watching the Puyo Puyo tournament.
You’ll need to take your shoes off (a Japanese custom), but inside…
…you’ll find Reversi, building blocks, drawing materials, kendama (a traditional Japanese skill toy), and tabletop games — plenty to keep everyone entertained.
While the dads were busy battling it out in the Puyo Puyo tournament, my little ones happily passed the time drawing pictures and playing a cute penguin game.
I’d been wondering how to keep them occupied (lol), so this was a wonderful surprise.
There were also manga (Japanese comics) on hand — though not pictured — making this a fun spot even if you’re not into gaming.
Programming workshops and drone experience sessions are also held here regularly.

For details and schedules of free kids’ programming classes, gaming tournaments, and other frequent events, please check the [Ukinoba] official website. Right next door is “Nitori,” Japan’s beloved home goods store — the kind of place you can’t help wandering into even when you don’t need anything (lol).
[Ukinoba] is a true community hub bringing together visitors of all ages — and a perfect stop while shopping in the area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.