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Kuji-ou: A Nostalgic Japanese Candy Shop Where Both Kids and Adults Light Up! (Yoshimachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City)

Outing Spots

2020.10.11

πŸ“Œ What You’ll Learn in This Article
A Sarukuma writer’s first-hand visit and report on “Kuji-ou,” a nostalgic Japanese dagashi (traditional candy) shop in Yoshimachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City. Budget guide: from around 300 yen. Family-friendly tips, access, and opening hours included.

Hello everyone, hope you’re doing great! πŸ˜€
I’m Yuzu, a writer for Sarukuma 🌻

Today we’re spotlighting
【Kuji-ou Yoshimachi Main Store】, located in Yoshimachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture β˜†

The shop sits along the old Hamasen road πŸ˜„
It’s right near the Kumamoto Bus depot β˜†

There are also sister shops in Toshima and Shiroyama πŸ˜€

There’s a parking lot right in front of the store πŸš—

This shop is run by Kodera Planning, a company that has supported our family as parents for many years 😁

From the day our kids were born all the way up to buying their school backpacks, the Kodera team have taken such wonderful care of us πŸ₯°

And honestly, their prices are so kind to families πŸ’•

Sorry for the tangent β€” I just had to mention it! πŸ˜…

Most of the shoppers here are children, so the whole place feels welcoming and child-friendly 😊

Now, let’s head inside! GO! GO!!!!!

The moment we stepped inside, our excitement was off the charts! πŸ˜‚

I had no idea the place would be this spacious or carry this much variety β€” the sheer selection blew me away! πŸ˜†

You can buy items individually, or grab a whole box for 25% off 😍
This is what Japanese folks call OTONAGAI β€” the “adult buy”!

Didn’t you ever dream as a kid of buying a whole box of candy and eating as much as you wanted?

So unbelievably nostalgic 🀣

I always loved the Kabayaki-san series (eel-flavored fish snacks) 😍
And right now, the wasabi-nori (wasabi seaweed) flavor of this series is trending! β˜†

Cocoa Cigarettes!!!

They’re shaped like cigarettes β€” didn’t every kid pretend to “smoke” them?
And Choco Bat is just irresistibly delicious πŸ₯°

Up top is the chocolate corner, and there’s also the famous Yatta-men (a crunchy noodle snack with prize tickets inside) πŸ˜‚

Some packs hide a winning ticket β€” opening them was always pure suspense πŸ˜…

Still just 10 yen 🀩 β€” same as it was decades ago!

The chewing gum still comes in the same packaging it did decades ago πŸ’•

This gum is surprisingly satisfying to chew as an adult πŸ˜†

And the smell instantly transports me back to childhood πŸ˜‹
It’s just like that song “Kousui” (Perfume)! 😁

Behold! Morocco Yogurt

You eat it with that tiny little spoon πŸ˜‚
It’s a total time slip! 😁

I’ve never actually tried this peperoncino snack myself, but it’s another famous classic πŸ˜„

My mental image is the boys eating it at the park after school ☺️

Lucky-draw cards!!

And it’s the famous Nameneko (delinquent cat) series! 🀣

Didn’t you ever try to draw a card with your favorite idol on it?
The anticipation was so intense, you could hardly bring yourself to peek inside πŸ˜…

These pink and green ice candies bring back memories too β˜†

For the boys, there’s a huge selection of trading cards too β€” and they’re cheaper here than at most other shops 😍

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) cards are 30% off!!
(off the regular price; some items excluded)

Incredible!! This shop is truly a friend to kids! πŸ‘Ά

Even during my visit, children kept rolling in one after another 😊

Recommended Picks

This time we picked up a whole haul β€” a mix of nostalgic classics and brand-new finds! πŸ˜‚

And the total came to only around 300 yen πŸ˜„

This one is Awa Cola (Foam Cola)

Hadn’t tasted it in ages πŸ˜‹
The way it foams up in your mouth β€” pure nostalgia 😁

I don’t think this one was around in my day, but my daughter said it was nostalgic for her, so she grabbed one 😁

When you open it up, the candies are stuck onto a sheet of paper like this 😊
You peel them off to eat them πŸ˜€

And then there’s this one!!!

Maximum nostalgia overload!!

One of them is sour β€” it’s basically a Russian roulette game!!
I used to play this with friends as a kid β€” such warm memories πŸ₯°

Come step into a shop where the old and the new come together,
and let yourself feel like a kid again 😍

We recommend calling ahead to confirm hours before you visit πŸ˜„

Follow our Instagram for daily updates!
At Sarukuma, we share lunch spots, parks, indoor playgrounds, and more for families raising kids in Kumamoto.
We’d love to have you follow along (*Β΄βˆ€ο½€*)

 

Kuji-ou Store Information

  • Address

    Yoshimachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture

  • Hours

    Weekdays 15:00–18:00 / Weekends & Holidays 10:00–18:00

  • Closed

    Irregular (please confirm with the store)

  • Phone

    096-282-8286

  • Website

    Yes

  • Payment

    Unknown

  • Parking

    Yes

  • No

    Tatami seating

  • No

    Private rooms

  • No

    Kids’ tableware

  • No

    Kids’ chairs

  • No

    Diaper changing

  • No

    Stroller access

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a recommended family-friendly spot in Yoshimachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City?

“Kuji-ou” is an easy place to visit with kids and a popular spot in Yoshimachi, Minami-ku. Read this article for the full scoop.

What are Kuji-ou’s hours and closing days?

Hours and closing days are subject to change. Please check the official website or call ahead before visiting.

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

Article Writer

Sarukuma Editorial is a small team of locals based in Kumamoto, Japan, sharing the hidden gems, hometown flavors, and seasonal experiences that make our region special. We write the kind of guide we wish we had when showing friends around β€” honest, practical, and made by people who actually live here.

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