Hello, fellow travelers!
I’m Cho-san, a writer for [SaruKuma]!

Today I’m excited to share a hidden gem located in
Ueki Town, Kita Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“KICHIJIEN cafe”.
Kichijien Tourist Farm runs this delightful cafe right next to its farm shop,
where you can enjoy original sweets made with seasonal fruits picked fresh from the orchards.
Look for this signboard along Prefectural Route 31 — it’s your landmark!
There’s a spacious parking area right next to the shop.
Hours vary by season, but in summer the cafe is open from 10:00 to 17:00 (last order at 16:50).
As you step inside,
you’ll find a farm shop right next to the cafe space, beautifully stocked with seasonal fruits!
In early August, gorgeous Shine Muscat grapes were on display.
They’re sold by weight — ¥400 per 100 grams.
You can also find Setouchi Giants, Pione, and Kyoho grapes available.
They also offer handcrafted juices and jams.
They’re a bit of a treat-yourself splurge,
but they’d make absolutely wonderful gifts and souvenirs!
And on the cafe wall, you’ll spot a stunning chalkboard menu!
Everything looks so colorful and tempting…
With handwritten descriptions and photos, it’s super easy to choose.
Orders are placed at this counter.

Recommended Menu Items

Here’s the soft serve menu.
The real showstopper? House-baked, handcrafted waffle cones!!
The attention to detail in the waffles alone is incredible!
And these are the Special Sweets!
Just as the name suggests, this lineup feels truly extra-special.
Onto the smoothies & juices!
The peach smoothie was sold out on my visit (a true testament to its popularity).
There are also relaxing hot drinks to help you unwind!
The display case at the counter is loaded with
fresh fruits harvested that very morning —
you just know they’re going to be amazing.
With so many delicious-looking options, I had a tough time choosing,
but I was completely seduced by the Shine Muscat grapes and went for it!
Shine Muscat Akakuma — ¥1,080!
Verdict: an absolute home run!!!

Premium Shine Muscat grapes were arranged in a stunning 360-degree circle — pure luxury!
So juicy and refreshingly sweet!!
You can eat them skin and all, which makes them dangerously addictive… lol

The soft serve is rich and creamy yet finishes light and clean!
It beautifully highlights the natural sweetness of the fruit.
(They use Jersey cow milk for that extra richness.)

And don’t forget the house-baked waffle cone!
Not too sweet — perfectly designed to complement the soft serve.

As I dug deeper into the dessert…
the cup was packed with “shaved strawberry”!
No cornflake filler at all — pure strawberry goodness!
Now that’s what makes it the legendary “Akakuma”!! lol

So what is “Akakuma”, you ask?
It’s KICHIJIEN cafe’s signature creation:
shaved frozen strawberry topped with Jersey milk soft serve,
then crowned with a generous pile of seasonal fruits.
It’s KICHIJIEN cafe’s most popular dessert!

Since they shave whole frozen strawberries directly,
it’s not shaved ice — it’s 100% pure strawberry!
You’re literally eating strawberry in its purest form!
Pure indulgence!!

Despite the impressive volume,
it’s surprisingly never overly sweet or cloying,
so I didn’t even need a glass of water to wash it down.

Of course you should stay hydrated in summer,
but you won’t have that classic “I just ate a parfait and now I’m dying of thirst” experience here!

Hats off to the perfectly engineered “Akakuma”!!!
It was so incredibly delicious that after finishing,
I headed back to the farm shop and couldn’t resist grabbing
the last reasonably priced bunch of
Shine Muscat grapes (¥550) to take home with me! lol

Since this is a working tourist farm,
you can enjoy seasonal fruit picking year-round —
why not combine your visit with a fun fruit-picking experience for the whole family?
There’s also a lovely terrace seating area in front of the shop,
so you can enjoy your treats in the open air. Highly recommended!

Frequently Asked Questions

*Information accurate at the time of visit. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.