Hello there!
I’ve recently picked up the habit of drinking hot water in the mornings —
It’s your Sarukuma writer Binako!

Today I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful spot located in
Ozu, Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“Musubiya En”.

This is a specialty rice ball shop (^^♪
A local favorite that draws plenty of regulars throughout the day!

Onigiri (or omusubi) are Japan’s classic hand-pressed rice balls — a staple comfort food that locals have enjoyed for centuries.

The shop is conveniently located along the old Route 57, sitting diagonally across from the Ozu Town Community Care Center ( *´艸｀)

Inside, you’ll find an impressive lineup of rice balls!
The menu rotates daily, which means there’s always something new to try every time you visit (*´Д｀)

My photography skills are admittedly… well, a work in progress, but here’s the menu available during my visit:

Salmon — 170 yen

Pickled Plum (Umeboshi) — 160 yen

Takana (Pickled Mustard Greens) — 150 yen

Tuna with Wasabi — 150 yen

Tuna Mayo — 140 yen

Salt Rice Ball (“En-musubi”) — 130 yen

Salted Mackerel — 170 yen

Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Roe) & Cheese — 170 yen

Shrimp Tempura — 180 yen

Horse Meat Soboro with Ginger Tsukudani — 180 yen

Chicken Nanban — 290 yen

Akaushi (Kumamoto Red Beef) Hamburger — 290 yen

Such a wide variety to choose from — and they all look absolutely delicious…

The drink menu features:

Green Tea

Jasmine Tea

Orange Juice

All priced at a flat 120 yen (^^♪

Here you can read all about Musubiya En’s commitment to quality rice balls!

Their takeout recommendations are also displayed, so if you can’t decide what to order, just check this for guidance (#^.^#)

Recommended Menu Items

This time, I ordered:

Salt Rice Ball — 130 yen

Tuna Mayo — 140 yen

Fun fact: it’s not called “shio-musubi” (the standard term for salt rice ball) here —
It’s “en-musubi”! A clever play on the shop’s name. (“En” can mean both connection/bond and is the shop’s name itself.)

Hehehe

The salt rice balls are hand-pressed fresh after you order — meaning you get to enjoy them piping hot and freshly made!

The salt seasoning is absolutely perfect!
At that moment, I felt so grateful to be Japanese.

Thank you, rice!

That’s the kind of dish that genuinely makes you appreciate the simple things.

The tuna mayo disappeared straight into my son’s stomach before I could snap a photo, but trust me —
the rice itself is just outstanding!

And the rice balls aren’t packed too tightly — they’re soft and fluffy, letting you really savor the natural flavor of the rice ( *´艸｀)

It’s the kind of meal that just begs to be paired with a warm bowl of miso soup…

Why not stop by and treat yourself to these comforting, soul-warming rice balls?

Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information accurate at time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.