Kirk here. Sonoda is the oldest continuously operating business in Kumamoto – a business that has been up and running for over 400 years! They make Chosen-ame, a mildly sweet sort of mochi that got its name because it was carried into Korea as food for soldiers when Kato Kiyomasa led troops there at Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s behest. They are a luxury item (a sort of dessert) now but at the time they were carried into war because the soft mochi would dry (not spoil) and then simply adding water would make it edible again.
The store is worth a visit but will be closing for renovations soon. It’s on Kamitori fairly far from Shimotori. The address is:
〒860-0848 熊本県熊本市中央区南坪井町６−１
The photo you see is from the following RKK report:
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1124846?page=3
You’ll have to hurry, though. It will close this Saturday (or Saturday will be the last day?) and then the sweets will only be available online and at other shops for about three years while the renovation is done.
I saw something about this on RKK recently but, oddly, couldn’t find anything on the web about the closing for renovations.