JR West Via Inn will introduce two Kumamon-themed guest rooms at Via Inn Prime Kumamoto, which is scheduled to open on July 22, 2026. Reservations for the rooms began on May 25.
Kumamon is the promotional mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture. The rooms were developed around the character and regional themes from Kumamoto, with designs extending from the corridor entrance into the guest rooms, bathrooms, and dressing areas.
The 20-square-meter “Play with Aso” room is based on the mountains of Aso and the grasslands of Kusasenri Plateau. Its interior uses imagery inspired by the sky, clouds, and surrounding natural landscape. The room can accommodate one or two guests, and children in sixth grade or younger can share an existing bed.
The second room, “Castle and Watermelon,” measures 26 square meters and combines a castle theme with watermelons, one of Kumamoto’s regional products. Orange and red are used throughout the brightly colored interior, which also features hidden images of Kumamon for guests to find. This room can accommodate between one and three guests, with bed-sharing also available for children in sixth grade or younger.
Only two Kumamon rooms will be available. One is a twin room with capacity for two guests, while the other is a family room that can accommodate up to three.
Stays in the themed rooms will begin when Via Inn Prime Kumamoto opens on July 22. Rates start from 8,000 yen per person before tax, and reservations are available through the hotel’s official website.
