Higoji is run by an elderly, friendly widower. He picked up English over the years, as well as a smattering of Malay and Mandarin. He had once fought in Jakata and Singapore during the second world war but was discharged from the army when he was seriously wounded in combat. The minshuku is set atop a hill and offers a beautiful night view of Kumamoto city.
If you arrive/depart at the Kumamoto JR station, he will pick/sent you there.