Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Saa-mama, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a truly special place

tucked away in Hanazono, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City:
“Kumamoto Mizu no Geihinkan — Ochozu no Mori”
(formerly known as Kakibaru Trout Farm).

Coming from central Kumamoto, you’ll spot the signboard just past Kami-Kumamoto Station, a short turn off the Kumamoto West Ring Road.

This is a wonderful spot where you can fish for rainbow trout AND enjoy them as a fresh, delicious meal!

There’s plenty of free parking on site.

From the parking area, the reception desk is just a short walk away.
Here you can purchase fishing tickets and arrange for your catch to be cooked on-site.

One fishing rod with bait: 300 yen (tax included)
Take-home rainbow trout: 280 yen per 100g (tax included)

Walk on toward the fishing ponds and a friendly staff member will be waiting. Hand over your ticket and

you’ll receive a fishing rod, bait, work gloves, and a net for your catch — and the trout fishing adventure begins!

Press the soft, clay-like bait onto your hook and trout immediately swarm to bite!
Sometimes they nibble the bait clean off without getting hooked, sometimes they tug your line and escape — every cast becomes a fascinating little lesson in observation. So much fun! ♬

The trout are super lively and put up a real fight! My kids were a bit nervous at first, but they quickly got comfortable handling the fish and ended up loving every minute of it. ♪

Six trout caught in no time!!
When you’re done, return your gear to the staff.
Then head back to reception, where you can choose to take your catch home,
or have it cooked on the spot — either grilled with salt (shio-yaki) or as crispy tempura — to enjoy in the dining area.

There’s a covered fishing area too,
so you’ll stay shaded from the sun — and you can even fish on rainy days!

A few important notes: please don’t swing the rod around or throw sand, gravel, or anything else into the ponds. Follow the simple rules and everyone has a great time!

One key rule to remember: “All caught fish must be purchased” and “Please catch only what you need.”
Catch-and-release isn’t allowed here, so be mindful not to over-fish!

We visited on a busy Sunday, so while waiting for our table to be set up, we strolled around the grounds and fed the koi (carp food: 100 yen).

The koi here are absolutely massive and they’re scattered throughout multiple ponds, so feeding them is endlessly entertaining. The koi in the “interaction pond” are particularly tame — if you offer food right at their mouths, they’ll happily suck on your fingers along with the pellets! It’s a totally unique hands-on experience with these gentle giants.

Walk a little further and the lovely Ochozu Falls comes into view.
Local legend tells of “Hakuryujin” — a pair of male and female dragons said to live in these falls and to have first appeared from within a stone circle here.
It’s a beautiful spiritual power spot tied to the legend of the two Ochozu dragons! ♬

The whole property is wrapped in lush nature — ponds, towering trees, and tranquil greenery as far as the eye can see!

Recommended Menu Items

Set meal options include the Meisui Dago-jiru Set (2,000 yen, tax included) — a hearty regional soup made with locally famous spring water.

À la carte dishes are also available.

Here’s the drinks menu.

This time, we ordered the
Salt-Grilled Rainbow Trout (620 yen, tax included) with
Millet Rice (300 yen, tax included).
The trout’s skin was perfectly crispy and the salt seasoning hit just the right note — absolutely delicious! ♪

The Rainbow Trout Tempura (620 yen, tax included) features a crispy, golden batter wrapped around tender, fluffy fish — heavenly! It comes with momiji-oroshi (spicy grated daikon) and matcha salt, so you can mix up the flavors with each bite.

And let me tell you — eating the trout YOU caught yourself, served up beautifully grilled or tempura-fried, takes the experience to a whole new level. Truly unforgettable! ♬

The Meisui Somen — chilled noodles with spring water (600 yen, tax included)
The water is so pure and refreshingly cold, you could happily slurp down endless bowls. ♪

The dining area features traditional tatami-style seating (zashiki), so you can really kick back and relax over your meal — perfect after a fun-filled morning of fishing!

There’s also a café menu with sweets and shaved ice (kakigori).

Right next to reception you’ll find a
super-ball scooping game (250 yen per try) — a beloved Japanese festival classic.

Between the shaved ice and the super-ball scooping, kids will absolutely love that festive Japanese summer-festival atmosphere! ♬

Recognized as part of Kumamoto’s Water Heritage and selected among Japan’s 100 Best Waters,
this is a deeply refreshing nature retreat full of negative ions and pure healing vibes!

Frequently Asked Questions

* Information accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.