[A Must-See for Fans] TV Anime 'Natsume's Book of Friends' x Kyushu Sanko Group: All Original Goods Info for the Sakura Machi Kumamoto Venue Revealed!

Kyushu Sanko Group (Shinshigai, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City / Kyushu Sangyo Kotsu Holdings Co., Ltd., President and Representative Director: Masayuki Orita) announces additional information for the collaboration project 'Natsume's Book of Friends in Kumamoto 2026 ~Hitoyoshi・Kuma~' with the TV anime 'Natsume's Book of Friends'.

In this follow-up report, we introduce the pop-up store at Sakura Machi Kumamoto (3-10 Sakura-machi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City), which will serve as the hub for this project.

This summer, fully enjoy Natsume's Book of Friends at Sakura Machi Kumamoto!

1. Collaboration-exclusive original goods with newly drawn illustrations

Using special illustrations newly drawn for this collaboration, we have prepared a wide variety of collectible items, from standard acrylic stands to convenient daily-use items.

Period: Scheduled from Wednesday, July 1, 2026 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Venue: Sakura Machi Kumamoto 1F Main Entrance (planned)

*Business hours and holidays are subject to Sakura Machi Kumamoto's operating hours.

[Notes] - For some products, purchase limits may be imposed to allow more customers to buy them. - We cannot hold or order products at the venue or by phone. - We cannot answer inquiries about the stock status or sales status of each product. Please understand in advance. - Purchasing products for commercial purposes and reselling them is strictly prohibited. - If congestion is expected, such as on the first day of sales, entry restrictions (e.g., distribution of numbered tickets) may be implemented to ensure safety. - Lining up around the store from late night or early morning is strictly prohibited as it causes inconvenience to nearby residents and other customers.

2. [Limited Quantity] Get an original clear card novelty for your trip to Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma!

During the period, customers who spend 5,000 yen or more (including tax) per transaction (no combined receipts) at the Sakura Machi Kumamoto pop-up store will receive a special clear card (random, 6 types in total). The original design features newly drawn characters and landscapes of Kumamoto, Hitoyoshi, and Kuma regions.

Distribution Period: From Wednesday, July 1, 2026, until supplies last

Distribution Location: Inside the event venue at Sakura Machi Kumamoto 1F Main Entrance

Conditions: One card will be given to customers who spend 5,000 yen or more (including tax) at the Sakura Machi Kumamoto pop-up store at the time of payment.

*Receipts cannot be combined. One card per transaction (even if you purchase 10,000 yen worth, you will receive one card). *Due to the random nature, you cannot choose the character (design). *Exchanging (trading) or buying/selling goods or novelties between customers within the pop-up store venue or inside Sakura Machi Kumamoto is strictly prohibited as it causes inconvenience to other customers.

3. Original design paper bags also available in limited quantities!

During the period, customers who make a purchase at the Sakura Machi Kumamoto pop-up store or at partner stores handling collaboration products can purchase an original paper bag designed with the newly drawn illustration for 100 yen each (including tax).

Sales Price: 100 yen each (including tax)

Sales Locations: Sakura Machi Kumamoto 1F Main Entrance Event Venue, Kumamoto Shunsaikan, and some partner stores in Kumamoto Prefecture

*Available only while supplies last. *The Sakura Machi Kumamoto pop-up store does not provide free plastic or paper shopping bags. Please purchase the original paper bag or bring your own bag.

4. Goods from the official anime online store and items from the Hitoyoshi/Kuma region will also be on sale!

Inside the Sakura Machi Kumamoto pop-up store, a wide variety of goods from the Natsume's Book of Friends official anime online store and Natsume's Book of Friends goods from the Hitoyoshi/Kuma region are also scheduled to be sold. Detailed lineups will be announced on Sakura Machi Kumamoto's social media.

Sakura Machi Kumamoto Official Social Media ●Instagram @sakura_machi_kumamoto https://www.instagram.com/sakura_machi_kumamoto/ ●X @SAKURA_MACHI_K https://x.com/SAKURA_MACHI_K

5. Announcements by Nyanko-sensei will be broadcast at Sakura Machi Kumamoto!

During the period, original recorded announcements by Nyanko-sensei (CV: Kazuhiko Inoue) will be broadcast inside Sakura Machi Kumamoto! Please listen to this special voice you can only hear here, and feel free to visit the pop-up store multiple times to enjoy shopping.

▼This information is also available on the special website [Natsume's Book of Friends in Kumamoto 2026 ~Hitoyoshi・Kuma~] https://sakuramachi-kumamoto.jp/natsumeyujincho2026

*All images are for illustration purposes. Content is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Work Overview

TV Anime 'Natsume's Book of Friends' An anime work based on the popular manga series serialized in 'Monthly LaLa' (published by Hakusensha), which has sold over 18 million copies. The story follows a boy, Takashi Natsume, who has been able to see youkai (spirits) since he was a child. He inherits the 'Book of Friends' from his grandmother Reiko and, along with his self-proclaimed bodyguard Nyanko-sensei, returns the names of the youkai bound within the book. It is a beautiful and ephemeral story of humans and youkai. TV anime broadcasting began on TV Tokyo in 2008. In October 2024, the seventh season, 'Natsume's Book of Friends 7', was broadcast.

About Kyushu Sanko Group

Established in 1942, the group operates 11 companies centered on transportation business (Kyushu Sanko Bus Co., Ltd. / Sanko Bus Co., Ltd.) covering Kumamoto Prefecture, as well as tourism business (Kyushu Sanko Tourism Co., Ltd.), food and beverage/retail business (Kyushu Sanko Retail Co., Ltd.), and real estate business (Kyushu Sanko Landmark Co., Ltd.). Kyushu Sanko Group https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/