One of Kumamoto's most famous products is its Higo Inlay or damascene, in which gold, silver, and copper are inlaid on an iron plate to form patterns of flowers, bamboo, and other designs. Originally used to adorn sword guards and armor, damascene today is used on such accessories as paperweights, jewelry, and tie clasps. Another Kumamoto product is the Yamaga lantern, made of gold paper and used during the Yamaga Lantern Festival held in August. Other local products include Amakusa pearls, pottery, knives, toys, and bamboo items.
One place to shop for Higo Inlay, knives, pottery, Yamaga paper lanterns, Amakusa pearls, toys, shochu, sake, and confections is the [o206] Display Hall of Kumamoto Products (Kumamoto-ken Bussankan), located on the third floor of the Sanbun Kaikan Building (which is part of the Sangyo Bunka Kaikan complex) at 7-10 Hanabata-cho (tel. 096/353-1168; daily 10am-6pm, closed second and fourth Mon each month). It's located south of Kumamoto Castle, opposite the Sunroad Shinshigai shopping arcade and in front of the Karashimacho streetcar stop (the Kumamoto Tourist Information Center is in the same building).
Likewise, the Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center, near Kumamoto Castle at 3-35 Chibajyo-machi (tel. 096/324-4930; Tues-Sun 9am-5pm, to 6pm July-Sept), offers a wide selection of traditional crafts from throughout the prefecture, including bambooware, ceramics, woodworks, toys, musical instruments, and more. It's a 5-minute walk from the Skiyakusho-mae streetcar stop.
