Introducing Gochi Depa Kumamoto

Hello everyone, this is Gussan!
The seasons have rolled by in the blink of an eye, and somehow it’s already October!
Honestly, Sakura Machi Kumamoto was a lifesaver for me this past summer.
Sakura Machi Kumamoto’s rooftop garden, “Sakura Machi Garden,” is one of my absolute favorite weekend hangouts ♡
I brought a change of clothes and went there countless times this summer (^^)

[Sakura Machi Garden] A New Water Play Spot! Sakura Machi Kumamoto’s Rooftop Garden Is Lovely! [Sakuramachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto]

When I heard a brand-new shop had opened at Sakura Machi Kumamoto,
I rushed straight over to check it out!
It’s in a spot that’s a little extra special if you’re traveling with kids, so let me explain why~!
Have you all heard of NASSE?
If you nodded “yes” in your head, you’re a true Kumamoto insider!
NASSE is a beloved local lifestyle and gourmet magazine, and today’s spot — “Gochi Depa” — is the food department store they produced, gathering the very best dishes from Kumamoto’s most popular restaurants under one roof ♫
When it comes to dining in Kumamoto, NASSE is THE foodie authority — these folks know every restaurant in town inside and out!
At Gochi Depa, you can buy a curated lineup of bento (Japanese-style boxed meals) and side dishes hand-picked by the NASSE team.
The shop officially opened on October 1.
The very first Gochi Depa launched at Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin in February 2021, and the Sakura Machi Kumamoto location is the second-ever branch.
The display case is lined with bento as far as the eye can see.
You can pick from a parade of bento by famous local restaurants without ever stepping inside one of them — pretty exciting, right?!
There are even items from popular Fukuoka restaurants on offer.
Since you can’t normally buy these in Kumamoto, they’re definitely worth a try!
Right next to the register sits the NASSE magazine itself! Back in my office days, my colleagues and I would flip through it asking, “Where should we go?” “Ooh, hot pot looks good” — those were the days (^^)
Gochi Depa is located on the basement (B1) floor of Sakura Machi Kumamoto.
And here’s the magic part — it’s right next door to McDonald’s.
Kids’ eyes light up the moment they hear the words “Happy Set” (Japan’s Happy Meal), don’t they? lol
My little one loves a Happy Set for lunch too, but honestly, sometimes you just want a proper rice meal instead of a burger, right? At Gochi Depa, both parents and kids can satisfy their cravings within steps of each other!
This kind of layout is super easy with kids in tow.
Grab the Happy Meal AND a Gochi Depa bento, head up to Sakura Machi Garden, and… yep, that’s the real “happy set”!
*The space to the right may be used for other purposes in the future.

Recommended Menu at Gochi Depa Kumamoto

Here’s a sample of the lineup. This is just a portion — many more items are listed on the official website.

Here’s what we picked up today (top to bottom):
・Takamotoya Bento — ¥780
・Luna Crescente Western-style Set Meal — ¥1,500
・Cocina Uchida Paella Bento — ¥950
The Luna Crescente Western-style set meal is on the pricier side, but the portion was seriously generous.
And Takamotoya’s signature bento? An absolute rice-bowl-emptying classic!
My personal pick was Cocina Uchida’s Paella Bento.
The seafood paella was rich and deeply flavored, and the chicken ham was wonderfully moist and tender ♡
The hamburger steak had a unique texture too — turns out it’s made with wild boar meat! You can really taste the chef’s commitment to quality!

If you’re heading to Sakura Machi Kumamoto, be sure to swing by (^^)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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