Convenient location, Solid Value, Huge Manga Library & Lots of food and Activities nearby.
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- A “zen” hotel concept tucked inside the busy Sunroad Shinshigai Shopping Arcade — genuinely stands out from its surroundings
- We paid ¥11,955/night off-peak for the Single Room with Shower Booth — small but cozy, best for guests spending most of their time outside the room
- No dedicated parking — nearby paid lots require re-validating a discount ticket at the front desk each time you leave and return, genuinely inconvenient if you’re in and out often
- Features a public bath complex with Kumamoto wood and local artist touches, plus a 10,000-comic manga library free for guests
- Not recommended if you’re driving The parking can be inconvenient with lots of luggage.
In July 2026 I stayed at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels and it was a little bit like a zebra among horses because amongst all the busy shopping, arcades and pachinko shops stood a really zen looking hotel that looked completely out of place.
Standing for Regional, Experience and Flexible, Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels is a chain of hotels that focus on highlighting local nature, arts, crafts and food culture so that guests experience the character of the local area. Compared to a generic hotel stay.
For this outlet in Kumamoto, the concept is “The Bath”, aiming to emphasize relaxation through a large public bath complex with Kumamoto elements such as local wood and art by Kumamoto Artists.
Anyway, I will let you know what my experience was like staying at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels and why you might want to consider staying here on your next visit to Kumamoto.
- How to get to Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels
- Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Parking
- How to check in to Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels
- Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Pricing
- Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Single Room with Shower Booth
- Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Facilities
- Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Breakfast
- Some Tips
- Is Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Worth it?
- Nearby Attractions in Kumamoto
- What to Eat Nearby
- FAQ – Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels
Photos on this page are mine, shot on an iPhone 11 pro.
How to get to Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels
From Hakata Station via the Kyushu Shinkansen
Getting to the hotel is quite easy via the Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata Station. You want to alight at Kumamoto Station. It will take about an hour and cost you ¥6,240. From Kumamoto Station, take the A-Line Tram to Karashimacho station just in front of the Sunroad Shinshigai Shopping Arcade.
Once you alight the hotel is inside the shopping arcade to your right. The design of the entrance is really new and modern you can’t miss it.
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Parking
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels does not have its own parking. If you need parking you will need to park at either the multi storey Pasuto 24 Karashima Koen Parking Lot or the underground Karashima Park Paking Lot.
You get a discount ticket for the number of days you are staying at the hotel. So when you are leaving for the day you will need to give the parking staff at the office your parking ticket and the discount ticket to get a discounted parking fee.
Discounted hotel guest rates — collect your ticket from the front desk
| Parking Lot | Rate (guest) | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasuto 24 Karashima Park (multi-storey) | ¥1,200 / night | 14:00 – next day 12:00 | In/out allowed during stay |
| Pasuto 24 Karashima Park (underground) | ¥1,200 / night | 14:00 – next day 12:00 | No mid-stay exit or re-entry |
| Park City 24h Shinshigai Parking | ¥1,600 / night | 15:00 – next day 11:00 | No mid-stay exit or re-entry |
⚠️ Rates shown are discounted hotel guest rates — collect your parking discount ticket from the front desk at check-in. Prices subject to change.
Now all this is fine if you leave once and come back once to park. But what if you have to travel in and out the whole day? It does become troublesome having to get a parking discount ticket each time. You may not mind it but I mean you are on holiday after all so you probably don’t want the hassle.
KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto is a hotel nearby that does not have this parking hassle, check out our experience staying at the hotel here.
How to check in to Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels
Checking in at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels is on level 2 and is fairly straight forward like most hotels.
If you sign up for their hotel membership you get 1000 membership points and a free gift on the spot. Their free gifts include beer, sweet drinks and instant ramen. I just took the plain water as it was the special Kumamoto One Piece bottle.
The staff were very friendly throughout and actually gave me an extra towel to wipe my sweat as it was super duper hot that day.
The room amenities like toothbrushes and shavers are found in a section at the check in lobby. They are not found in the rooms itself.
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Pricing
I stayed 2 nights at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels and it cost ¥23,910 so about ¥11,955 per night. This was for the smallest room in the hotel, the Single Room with Shower Booth.
Also this was during the summer off-peak period, so prices might double or triple in peak holiday periods.
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Single Room with Shower Booth
The smallest room in the hotel is actually not that bad compared to the photos. It is quite cozy with enough space for 1 or 2 guests. It definitely feels like a sleep only kind of room where you will be spending most of your time outdoors.
The bed is a single 140cm double bed (Japanese semi-double size) and is big enough for 2 people. The bed and pillows were fine, not too hard and not too soft. If you are wondering where to keep your suitcase, there is plenty of space underneath the bed to keep them.
Beside the bed there is a small table to do some light laptop work. And by the wall there are sockets, usb ports and light switches. I do like the back light behind the bed as it gives it a nice vibe.
The room is actually quite quiet despite being in the middle of a lot of foot traffic. My room was on the 6th floor and you can’t hear the noise outside. But you can certainly “feel” the activity outside. It might have been a mental thing but I had trouble sleeping while I stayed there. But at the moment I think it was a “it’s not you it’s me” when it comes to it.
Room Facilities
The rest of the room facilities are along the corridor of the room. You have the bathroom stuff like the sink, mirrors and hand soap together with the fridge and electric kettle. There is also an air purifier.
The “Toilet”
The toilet area is on the smaller side and has a Japanese toilet and a shower booth. The shower booth is quite small, with enough space for one. It’s slightly smaller than an airplane toilet. So if you can’t imagine showering in a small space like that you might want to get a bigger room with a bigger toilet.
Room Cleaning
Room cleaning is by request only, so you would need to tell the front desk by 10:00 am that day if you wish to get the room cleaned. If not they will just change the towels and clear the rubbish in the room.
If you are staying for more than 7 days you would have to request as well. But they will clean the room at least once during the week.
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Facilities
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels has indoor and open air baths that are overlooking a Japanese garden and are available for both hotel guests and non guests. Non-guests adults will have to pay ¥1,200 and it’s ¥600 for ages 6-12.
Lounge/Cafe Area
On the same level as the check in lobby there is a lounge area with coffee and drinks machines that are free for guests to use.
Manga Library
Just beside the lounge and check in lobby is a Manga Library with about 10,000 comics and is free for guests to read. I did not know this at the time but you can actually bring 5 comics to your room to read.
Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Breakfast
Breakfast at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels starts at 6am until 10am (last entry at 9:30am) and is ¥1,800 for adult hotel guests and ¥900 for ages 6-12.
For non hotel guests its ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for ages 6-12.
Like most hotels in Japan they have a mix of Western and Japanese breakfast items. They also have local specialties from the Kumamoto and Aso region. One of their signature dishes is the Akaushi (Kumamoto red beef) hamburger, where you assemble your own burger using their Akaushi beef patties.
Some Tips
- The television in the room has a main dashboard that lets you see how busy the breakfast and baths are currently.
- Tell the front desk before 10:00am that day if you want your room to be cleaned.
Is Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels Worth it?
The single room in Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels is worth it if you are slightly concerned with cost but still want a nice place to stay at, and also most likely will be spending most of your time outside the hotel.
It’s in a really great location with easy access to transport and lots of food and shopping all around you.
However, I don’t really recommend staying at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotel if you are driving and bringing a lot of luggage. While parking is not that far it can still be troublesome dragging all your stuff. There aren’t any shelters so it gets even worse if it’s in the hot summer sun or if it’s raining.
If you are driving and your budget allows, I recommend staying at KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto just nearby at Sakura Machi. The parking is inside the shopping center and it’s easy to transfer your luggage and shopping stuff.
But that being said I personally would like to stay again to try a bigger room and more of their facilities next time.
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Nearby Attractions in Kumamoto
One Piece Statues
If you are a fan of One Piece anime/manga, there are statues of the 10 main characters spread out across Kumamoto and the Aso region. As part of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake recovery, each character “rushed” to “help” out different people in those areas. Giving it a deeper meaning than just a fan tourist attraction.
Not only will you get to see your favorite characters, you will learn more about the earthquake recovery efforts and also see a side of Kumamoto that you probably won’t see.
There are also limited edition One Piece Statue figurines that are only sold near the statue locations. They are not sold anywhere else!
Read our full first-hand guide to the One Piece Statues in Kumamoto including the complete 2-day route and where to buy every limited edition figurine.
What to Eat Nearby
You are honestly spoilt for choice when it comes to food as there are tons of options. You can actually eat quite a few of the Kumamoto specialties at Sakura Machi shopping mall and the Sunroad Shinshigai Shopping Arcade. I mostly ate at Sakura Machi and here is what you can look forward to:
あか牛Dining yoka-yoka サクラマチ店
We tried the famous Aso Beef Don at Dining yoka-yoka. It has a few medium rare slices of beef from Kumamoto’s red cattle that are raised in the Aso area. And there’s an onsen egg with wasabi. Aso Beef is really popular in Kumamoto and if you love eating beef it is a definite must try.
牛たん炭焼 利久 (Gyutan Sumiyaki Rikyu)
On the third floor of Sakura Machi is a place that sells beef tongue. The set comes with 6 or 8 slices of either thin or thicker beef tongue, rice, side vegetables, soup and a matcha mochi. It was my first time trying beef tongue so it was quite a unique experience. If you have never tried it before it is worth giving it a go.
熊本ラーメン 黒亭 本店 (Kumamoto Ramen Kokutei)
Another famous Kumamoto dish is the Kumamoto-style tonkotsu ramen the signature burnt garlic oil and black pepper. This one I ate comes with pork chasu and the soft boiled egg. It you love ramen it is definitely worth trying this out.
CHASEN カフェ (茶筅カフェ / CHASEN Cafe)
If you are looking for a dessert place and love matcha you should check out the Chasen Cafe on the third floor of Sakura Machi. We ordered a Matcha Warabi-mochi, the Matcha Triple Cheese Cake (抹茶三重奏チーズケーキ) and a matcha latte.
I don’t normally eat/drink matcha often because of how “scratchy” it can feel. But the matcha here is really smooth and it’s not too sweet either. Definitely worth trying if you are looking for a dessert place.
Aeon Mall Kumamoto
If you have a car and don’t mind traveling a bit (20mins by car, 40mins by bus), you can check out Aeon Mall Kumamoto. If you don’t know, Aeon Mall is a chain of shopping malls in Japan that are massive and has basically everything you can ever dream of in a shopping mall.
Unfortunately because of the recent earthquake in July 2026, it is closed for reconstructions due to the earthquake damage and would probably be closed for a long while. Put this on your shortlist and be sure to visit when it reopens.
FAQ – Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels
1) Is breakfast included at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels?
No — breakfast is not included in the room rate. It costs ¥1,800 for adult hotel guests (¥900 for ages 6–12), served from 6:00am to 10:00am (last entry 9:30am). It includes a mix of Japanese and Western dishes plus Kumamoto and Aso regional specialities, including a build-your-own Akaushi beef burger.
2) Is there parking at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels?
No dedicated parking. You’ll need to park at the nearby Pasuto 24 Karashima Koen Parking Lot or the underground Karashima Park Parking Lot, using a discount ticket the hotel provides. The ticket needs to be re-validated at the front desk each time you leave and return, which can be a hassle if you’re going in and out frequently during the day.
3) How far is Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels from Kumamoto Castle?
The hotel is located inside the Sunroad Shinshigai Shopping Arcade in central Kumamoto, within walking distance of the castle and most central attractions.
4) Is Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels good for families?
It can work for families, though the Single Room with Shower Booth is quite compact and best suited to 1–2 guests. Larger room types are available for families needing more space. The public bath and manga library (10,000 comics, with up to 5 allowed in your room) are nice extras for family downtime.
5) Does Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels have an onsen?
It has indoor and open-air public baths overlooking a Japanese garden, available to both hotel guests and non-guests (¥1,200 for non-guest adults, ¥600 for ages 6–12).
6) What room types are available at Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels?
The Single Room with Shower Booth is the smallest and most budget-friendly option, ideal for 1–2 guests who’ll mostly be out exploring. Larger room types are also available for guests wanting more space or planning to spend more time in the room.
7) Is Ref Kumamoto by Vessel Hotels worth it if I’m driving?
Not ideal — since there’s no dedicated parking and the discount ticket process at nearby lots can be inconvenient, especially if you’re heading in and out multiple times a day.
Written by
Timothy Leong
Timothy is a Singapore-born, Japan-based digital marketer turned hidden-gem hunter. After ditching spreadsheets for Google Maps, he now lives full-time in Japan, chasing quiet towns, real ramen, and off-grid train routes. Every photo and tip on Nihon Travel Guide is 100% his — no AI, no fluff, no Tokyo Tower.
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