Hello, everyone!
I’m Maru, making my Sarukuma writer debut! ✨

My family relocated to Kumamoto four and a half years ago.
There’s still so much to discover here — delicious food and exciting places — and I can’t wait to explore them all with you! 😍

Nice to meet you all! (⋆ᵕᴗᵕ⋆).+*

Today I’d like to introduce
a hidden gem located in Wakaba, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City:
“Cafe Kawano — Old Japanese House Cafe & Stone-Oven Pizza.”

★Please note: dinner service is currently suspended. Lunch only!

Let me say this upfront 😆
The stone-oven pizza here is absolutely incredible!!

The cafe sits just off the Akitsu-Shinmachi intersection, near the Kengun-machi tram stop. Cafe Kawano is the building in front, and you’ll spot the red sign of Hamankoura just behind it!Here’s the storefront.
It really does look like a private home! 😁 There are two parking spaces in front.

There are 5 more parking spaces behind the building,
and coin-parking lots nearby too!
“I’m home!” 🏠 haha
Stepping inside feels just like visiting your grandma’s countryside house in Japan.

Stylish interior with table seats and cozy sofa seating.Tatami seating with a nostalgic chabudai (low Japanese table) — perfect for families with kids! 🤩

There’s also more tatami seating and a counter.

Several families with children were enjoying the tatami area during our visit.

★Kids’ menu, children’s chairs, and child-sized tableware available (note: no children’s chairs for the table seats).

★You may bring your own commercially packaged baby food.

★Baby floor mats are also available! 👶

Restroom: please note there is no diaper-changing table.

There’s also one terrace seat outside.
Every table is equipped with hand sanitizer and a call buzzer for staff!

A wonderfully retro Showa-era interior 😍

Recommended Menu

★Pizza (à la carte): from 900 yen

★Pizza Set: from 1,480 yen (includes salad, drink, and a small dessert)

★Pasta Set: from 1,480 yen (includes salad, drink, and a small dessert)
★Rice Set: from 1,480 yen (includes salad, drink, and a small dessert)

And here’s the best part for families:
★Kids’ Menu: from 700 yen (includes drink and a kids’ dessert)

Anpanman Pizza (a kids’ favorite): 800 yen

🤩 So tempting! 🤩

This time we shared a pizza set and a pasta set.

First up — the salad.

For the pizza, we chose
the Genovese Pizza Set — 1,580 yen!

A burst of fragrant basil-infused olive oil, juicy and aromatic!
The crust is thin in the middle but puffs up perfectly around the edges — chewy, fluffy, and beautifully toasted.

Baked at over 500°C in an authentic stone oven —
🍕🍕 real-deal pizza 🍕
~~~ absolutely divine! ~~~

For the pasta, we ordered:
Kawano Napolitan Set with house-made ketchup — 1,580 yen

Bursting with the warm, comforting flavor of tomatoes 🍅
Buono!! 😋

Dessert Menu — à la carte: 600 yen
(Lunch-set diners can upgrade their small dessert to a full single-item dessert for an additional 400 yen.)

We added 400 yen to upgrade and chosethe oven-baked crème brûlée and the caramel-walnut cheesecake!
The crème brûlée had that signature crackly-crisp caramelized top!

All the desserts taste freshly homemade and were absolutely delicious 😋

Lively background music 🎶
Retro interior 📺
Incredible pizza in a cozy, welcoming space ✨

It’s the kind of place where you can’t help but linger! 😆
The staff were warm, attentive, and incredibly kind ✨

The cafe filled up completely shortly after our meal, so
we strongly recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends or if you’re visiting with kids!

Follow our Instagram for daily updates!
Sarukuma shares lunch spots, parks, indoor playgrounds, and more — perfect for families exploring Kumamoto.
We’d love to have you follow along! (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information current at the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.