Welcome to Hotel Sekia Grande Sekia

Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Chako, your SaruKuma writer based in northern Kumamoto.

Today I’m thrilled to introduce a hidden gem nestled in the forests of Kumamoto:
Hotel Sekia Grande Sekia, located in Sekimura, Nankan Town, Tamana District, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Before lunch, I had a little creative project to tackle!

I joined a traditional bamboo lantern (take-akari) workshop.

The workshop was led by CHIKAKEN, a world-renowned bamboo lantern art collective famous for their breathtaking installations across Japan and beyond.

For just 500 yen, you get to make two lanterns — one to take home and one to display. What an incredible deal for a hands-on cultural experience!

A fun parent-and-child activity!

Midway through, you can shine a spotlight through your lantern to check the design taking shape.

Here’s the bamboo lantern I created — I love it!

The workshop will also be held on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Three sessions per day:
① 10:00–12:00
② 12:30–14:30
③ 15:00–17:00

With illumination season just around the corner, why not craft a one-of-a-kind take-akari using locally grown Nankan bamboo?

Reservations can be made through the Nankan Town Hall Community Development Division

(Tel: 0968-57-8501).

The workshop is held at Hotel Sekia.

Please note: for safety reasons, preschool-age children cannot participate.

Elementary school children must be accompanied by one guardian.

Now, let me get back to the main attraction — the lunch buffet!

Must-Try Dishes at Hotel Sekia Grande Sekia

The lunch buffet is available only on weekends and public holidays.

Here are the prices:

Adults: 1,650 yen
Seniors (65+): 1,500 yen
Elementary school children: 1,350 yen
Young children (ages 4 to preschool): 700 yen

The dinner buffet is a bit pricier but features tempting options like basashi (raw horse meat sashimi) — a Kumamoto delicacy that locals (myself included!) absolutely adore.

Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), shrimp chili, shumai dumplings…

The salad bar even includes appetizers like roast pork!

Desserts include cakes, zenzai (sweet red bean soup), and ice cream!

The full lineup includes:

Curry, roast pork, simmered beef tendon.

Pasta 🍝 and pizza.

Karaage, shrimp chili, mapo tofu.

Seasonal tempura and a salad bar.

Ice cream station, cake station.

Soft drink bar 🥤

Everything was delicious, but the standouts for me were the mapo tofu and shrimp chili — both surprisingly authentic and packed with flavor!

Now I understand why Sekia’s Chinese cuisine has such a great reputation.

And of course, kid-friendly plates and high chairs are provided.

How about combining the bamboo lantern workshop with the lunch buffet?

Or pair the Friday night fireworks (next show: November 26 at 8:00 PM)

and your handmade bamboo lantern with a romantic dinner — sounds magical, right?

Come and experience it for yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions

* Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.