Welcome to SKY TERRACE TEN9

Hello, fellow travelers!
[Sarukuma] writer Cho-san here.

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to
SKY TERRACE TEN9 (Sky Terrace Tenku),
located in Kuhonji, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City.

Did you know that just a 5-minute walk from downtown Kumamoto,

there’s a place where you can enjoy a stylish “glamping” experience
completely hands-free—no gear required?

You’ve probably heard the word “glamping” a lot lately,
but what does it actually mean? How is it different from regular camping?

For those wondering: “glamping” is a portmanteau of
“Glamorous” and “Camping”—literally meaning “glamorous camping.”
It’s all about enjoying the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort or style.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s talk about the location.
It’s truly within walking distance of central Kumamoto.

Cross the Daiko Bridge from Suidocho, and you’ll find River Port 9. SKY TERRACE TEN9 sits on its rooftop.

River Port 9 itself is a collection of trendy shops, so wherever you stop in,

you’re in for a wonderful time. But this time, I headed straight up to SKY TERRACE TEN9 on the rooftop.

The rooftop is essentially the 4th floor, but note: there’s no elevator—you’ll need to take the stairs.

As COVID-19 precautions, the venue practices
thorough handwashing with soap and alcohol sanitization,

sodium hypochlorite disinfection of high-touch surfaces,
and limits of just 2 groups per 3-hour slot—measures that let guests relax even in these times.

Lucky for us, we visited on a weekday afternoon and had the entire space to ourselves!

Gazing out over the Shirakawa River,

you can enjoy a luxurious daytime BBQ in true style.

We visited in November, but the temperature was unusually warm—T-shirt weather!
Still, blankets and heaters are provided in case you need them.

It’s an open, airy space, but please remember to follow the house rules so everyone can enjoy themselves.

There’s an adorable signature tent—the venue’s icon—

and even a Shimajiro plush lounging happily inside (haha).

*That’s actually mine! Haha.

Plants, sofas,

and cute animal-shaped chairs that kids will love—
it’s an incredibly open, escape-from-the-everyday kind of space.

As someone who lives nearby, I couldn’t believe such a luxurious oasis was just a few minutes’ walk away. I should have discovered it sooner!

Recommended Menu & Pricing

We visited in November during the autumn season (September–November) pricing.
A 3-hour session between 10:00 AM and 11:00 PM
costs 4,500 yen per adult (facility fee included).

For little ones, elementary school children and younger pay just 500 yen each.

The facility fee covers:
BBQ ingredients, BBQ grill,
cooking utensils, chopsticks, glasses, and plates.

The BBQ menu includes:

250g of chicken, pork, and beef block meat per person,
a traditional rice cooker (mess tin) set,
a vegetable platter, and yakisoba (stir-fried noodles).

Drinks are not included in the price.
You can either bring your own,
or pre-order beer through the venue.

A fridge and wine cellar are available, so any drinks you bring can be kept chilled—
bringing your own might be the most economical option!

It had been ages since I last did a BBQ,
and watching those juicy meat blocks sizzle in the open air
had me absolutely buzzing!

I know I’m repeating myself, but…
since it had been forever since I’d done BBQ, cooking rice in a traditional mess tin was an even rarer treat!

The instructions were clear and easy to follow!
Thanks to that, we got perfectly crispy rice at the bottom,
and the rice came out beautifully.
Rice cooked in a traditional mess tin, paired with the atmosphere—
it was absolutely incredible!

There was so much meat that we grilled it in batches,

and finished off with yakisoba!

Meat after meat, capped off with hearty noodles—we were stuffed,
and the 3 hours flew by in a flash.

A staff member was always nearby at the sink area,
ready to bring whatever we needed and
even helping take group photos at the end. Wonderful service!

Guests do simple cleanup themselves
and are expected to vacate within the 3-hour slot.

Given the venue’s nature, reservations are required.
Depending on when you cancel, cancellation fees may apply.

For full details, please check the official website of SKY TERRACE TEN9:
http://www.skyterrace-bbq.com/

After a long stretch of not being able to gather with friends,
this was the perfect spot to catch up.
The kids could roam freely,
the adults soaked in the stylish vibe,
and the wide-open atmosphere meant we could all relax and enjoy ourselves.

Why not give it a try yourself?
Highly recommended!

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Frequently Asked Questions

*Information accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.