Hello, fellow travelers!

Today’s adventure began rather unexpectedly — my sister had a run-in with a certain unwelcome insect (you know the one) and called our mom for backup. But since mom had already enjoyed a glass or two of wine, I was the one dispatched to the rescue!
This is Binako, your Sarukuma writer-slash-emergency-taxi-driver, reporting in!

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a hidden gem located in Shisui-machi Hosui, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“Kai no Cake” — a delightful local bakery worth seeking out.

This bakery is famous for its lemon cake, and since I’d never really gone out of my way to try lemon cake before, I figured it was high time to give it a proper shot! ( *´艸｀)

Parking is conveniently available right in front of the shop — super handy for travelers driving through the area! ^^

Step inside, and there it is — the legendary lemon cake on display!

And there’s so much more to choose from:
Rare Cheesecake — 300 yen
Chocolate Mont Blanc — 300 yen
Chocolate Mousse — 300 yen
Cheesecake — 300 yen
Matcha Mousse — 300 yen
and many more tempting options!

Honestly, the prices are wonderfully affordable — a real bargain for high-quality cakes!

Rice Roll Cake — 650 yen
Roll Cake — 1,000 yen
There are also some gorgeous roll cakes that are perfect for sharing with friends or family!

And honestly, doesn’t “rice roll cake” just sound irresistibly intriguing? It’s a wonderfully Japanese twist! ( *´艸｀)

You’ll also find a lovely selection of traditional baked goods (yakigashi) and Japanese sweets (wagashi)! ^^

Whole cakes are available too! ^^
Just a heads-up: those things lined up in the showcase are actually candles, so don’t get them mixed up with the cakes! ( *´艸｀) lol

Recommended Menu Items

This time around, I picked up:
Lemon Cake — 150 yen
Chocolate Mont Blanc — 300 yen

Let’s start with the Chocolate Mont Blanc!

I’d never even heard of a chocolate-flavored Mont Blanc before, and as someone who loves both chocolate AND Mont Blanc cake, you can imagine I was grinning ear-to-ear as I bought it. Oh yes.

Ohhhh, this is incredibly delicious!

The chestnut flavor of the Mont Blanc and the rich chocolate work together beautifully.
What’s really clever is that the Mont Blanc itself isn’t overly sweet — it has a lovely, balanced sweetness that pairs perfectly with the chocolate!

And on top of that, there’s a generous, plump chestnut sitting right on top!
Oh, this makes me SO happy~~~ ♪
And it’s such a high-quality chestnut too — pure bliss!

The chocolate itself is also seriously delicious — top tier! lol

That day, I learned just how unbeatable the combination of chocolate and Mont Blanc can be —
truly a happy day for my taste buds!

Next up, the famous lemon cake!
Just look at that beautifully glossy, smooth coating.
The presentation alone is a winner.

Wow~~!
So refreshing and absolutely delicious~~!
The sweetness is gentle and well-balanced, making it incredibly easy to enjoy!

I genuinely regretted not trying lemon cake sooner.
Wow, I’m in love.
How did I go this long without knowing how amazing this could be?

The shop staff are wonderfully friendly, kind, and warm — the kind of people who make you want to linger and chat!
It’s the type of place that instantly makes you want to come back!

If you’re traveling through Kumamoto, definitely add Kai no Cake to your list — you won’t regret it!

Frequently Asked Questions

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