Hello, fellow travelers!
I’m Saa-mama, a writer for Saru Kuma.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to
“USAGIYA”, a delightful little shop located in
Akimaru, Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

You’ll find USAGIYA right next door to HIKE, a stylish café and hostel we’ve featured before.

[HIKE] A Spacious, Open-Concept Café, Bar & Hostel with a Beautiful Kids’ Space (Akimaru, Tamana City, Kumamoto)

Heading from central Kumamoto City toward Tamana,
cross the Takase Ohashi Bridge and turn left at the first traffic light.
You’ll find a spacious free parking lot along the river
(Kikuchi River Riverside Park Parking).

USAGIYA is a takeout-only shop!

Recommended Menu Items

The photo is a bit hard to read due to glare, but
shaved ice, frappe sundaes, lattes, and shake floats are
seasonal items available through October!

The menu is packed with sweet treats and drinks—perfect for an afternoon snack break! ♪

The imagawayaki menu (Japan’s beloved round, filled pancakes) features a wonderful variety:

Black bean paste, white bean paste, matcha, ogura cheese, custard cream,
chocolate, sweet potato, “Sea Whisper” (savory takoyaki-style), ham & egg,
“Cheese Whisper,” Kanaguri (chestnut), and German potato pizza — all just 100 yen each!

This time, I tried the Sea Whisper, Kanaguri (chestnut), and sweet potato.

The Sea Whisper is the shop’s No. 1 best-seller — imagine takoyaki transformed into an imagawayaki!
When I broke it in half, the inside was rich brown with savory sauce,
stuffed with red pickled ginger, tempura crumbs, and plenty of octopus pieces.
It genuinely tastes like eating one giant, delicious takoyaki ball ♪

The sweet potato filling (made with fresh, fluffy homemade sweet potato)
comes adorned with a cute smiley face — sure to delight little ones in the family! (*^^*)

The Kanaguri features black bean paste with one large whole chestnut tucked inside —
the perfect autumn-inspired imagawayaki! (*´∀`)♪

For the kids, we got the melon-flavored shaved ice (S size, 160 yen).

It’s piled high with fluffy ice at an unbeatable price — the perfect size and
treat for little ones when you’re craving something cold and refreshing ♪

The shaved ice menu includes strawberry, melon, grape, blue Hawaii,
coffee, matcha, cola, orange, mango, and mizore (white sugar syrup) — (S 160 yen, M 210 yen).

With so many flavors to choose from, kids and adults alike can enjoy a different taste every visit (*^^*)

There are chairs and tables out front, so you can enjoy your treats right there ♪
With warm afternoons still lingering, the wide selection of desserts makes USAGIYA a perfect stop (*^^*)

Be sure to pair your visit with HIKE next door for the full Akimaru experience ♫

[HIKE] A Spacious, Open-Concept Café, Bar & Hostel with a Beautiful Kids’ Space (Akimaru, Tamana City, Kumamoto)

Frequently Asked Questions

*Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.