Good Time Charlie

Top choice in Kumamoto

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Charlie Nagatani is a living legend, the 'Johnny Cash of Japan', the founding figure behind the nation's entire country-music scene, and an accomplished musician and songwriter. He earned the rank of Kentucky Colonel for his contributions to the world of country music (he runs the Country Gold Festival near Aso-san), and this bar is his home base.

Look for live music, a tiny dance floor and thousands of pictures on the walls. Charlie is now in his 80s, but he still plays nightly and tours regularly and is always happy to chat with visitors. Even if you don't care much for country music, a beer at Good Time Charlie's is an experience well worth detouring for.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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    0.34 MILES

    Dominating the skyline, Kumamoto's robust castle is one of Japan's best, built in 1601–07 by daimyō Katō Kiyomasa, whose likeness is inescapable around…

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    22.69 MILES

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  • Suizenji-jōjuen

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    1.73 MILES

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  • Samurai Houses

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    20.03 MILES

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  • Kamishikimi-Kumanoimasu-jinja

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    26.23 MILES

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    0.29 MILES

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Nearby Kumamoto attractions

1. Lafcadio Hearn's House

0.23 MILES

Irish-Greek immigrant Lafcadio Hearn (aka Koizumi Yakumo; 1850–1904) became one of the foremost interpreters of Japanese culture for the outside world. He…

2. Wakuwaku-za

0.29 MILES

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3. Sakuranobaba Johsaien

0.31 MILES

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4. Honmaru Palace

0.33 MILES

The 2008 reconstruction of the Honmaru Palace fairly gleams with fresh wood and gold-leaf paintings, particularly in the Sho-kun-no-ma receiving room…

5. Kumamoto-jō

0.34 MILES

Dominating the skyline, Kumamoto's robust castle is one of Japan's best, built in 1601–07 by daimyō Katō Kiyomasa, whose likeness is inescapable around…

6. Tenshūkaku

0.37 MILES

The castle's soaring black Tenshūkaku (main building, 29.5m tall) is today a historical museum with 6th-storey lookouts. The tower was closed at the time…