Hello there!
This is Binako, your Sarukuma writer!

Today I’m excited to introduce a charming little shop located in
Uchinomaki, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“Watanabe Manju”.

This is a long-established manju (Japanese sweet bun) shop that
my own mother has been visiting since she was young!

For parking, you’re welcome to use the space in front of the
vending machine located diagonally across from the shop!

The interior is small and cozy, and a kind-looking elderly shopkeeper
came out from the back to greet us with a warm smile.

He even spoke gently to my son, making this such a heartwarming little shop to visit!

Available for pre-order:
Sekihan (red bean rice), Kohaku Manju (red and white celebration buns), Ishigaki Manju,
Ikinari Dango, and Jizo Manju.
You’ll also find manju and ikinari dango ready to purchase right at the storefront!

Caldera Steamed Bun: 450 yen

Half Size: 230 yen

Packed with chunks of sweet potato, this looks wonderfully filling and satisfying!

Fukunokami Jizo Manju: 5-pack for 450 yen

Five buns for just 450 yen — what a great deal!

The ikinari dango (Kumamoto’s famous sweet potato dumplings) come 6 pieces per bag —
perfect for sharing with family or friends, or as a generous afternoon snack!

Recommended Menu

This time, I picked up the Fukunokami Jizo Manju 3-pack for 300 yen!

The aroma the moment you open them is incredible!

The fragrance is so divine I just want to bury my nose in them and breathe it all in!

The dough has the perfect soft, chewy texture — absolute perfection.

And the anko (sweet red bean paste) inside is so generous!

What’s more, this anko is seriously delicious — sweet, but never overly so.
It’s not lacking in sweetness at all,
but it has none of that cloying heaviness that can sometimes overwhelm.

It’s an incredibly gentle, refined sweetness —
the craftsmanship behind this anko is truly exquisite!

And one more thing — the dough itself is absolutely phenomenal.

The aroma that fills your nose as you bite in
is just the most heavenly experience.

I found myself breathing in deeply through my nose with every bite, savoring every moment.

I simply couldn’t stop.
Before I knew it, they were all gone.

I really hope all of you get to try them too…

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the visit. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.