Hello, fellow travelers!

I’m Binako, a writer for Sarukuma, and I firmly believe that lactic acid bacteria chocolate has zero calories!

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to “Yamaguchi Manju Shop”, a wonderful traditional Japanese sweets shop located in Kumin, Kamoto-machi, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Yamaguchi Manju Shop just opened on October 14th, and I have to confess — I had been counting down the days! I may have made several pre-opening visits just to peek through the windows (oops!).

Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. Let’s dive in!

The parking lot is generously sized, so even larger vehicles can park comfortably — perfect for travelers with rental cars!

Step inside and you’ll find a glass display case brimming with beautiful traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi). It’s truly a treasure trove of manju (steamed buns with sweet fillings)!

Even better — as part of their grand opening special, everything is just 100 yen each. You’d be missing out if you didn’t take advantage of these prices!

They even offer amazake manju (sweet rice wine buns) — also just 100 yen!

The ohagi (sweet rice balls coated in red bean paste or other toppings) selection is impressive, with four varieties: chunky red bean paste (tsubuan), smooth red bean paste (koshian), kinako (roasted soybean flour), and kinako-cinnamon.

The shop was buzzing with customers, and many were buying in serious bulk — I saw orders of 10 pieces at a time!

I’m so glad I made it before everything sold out…

Recommended Menu Items

Here’s what I picked up:
Amazake Manju (red and white) — 1 of each at 100 yen each
Tsubuan Ohagi (chunky red bean) — 100 yen
Kinako-Cinnamon Ohagi — 100 yen
Sakura Mochi (cherry blossom rice cake) — 100 yen
Yomogi Dango (mugwort dumpling) — 100 yen
Amigasa — 100 yen

Let’s start with these beauties!

The amigasa is a dumpling made with rice flour
and even the coating around it is rice flour.
That means it’s completely gluten-free — great news for travelers with dietary restrictions!

The inside is filled with smooth red bean paste (koshian), and thanks to the rice flour, the texture is wonderfully chewy and absolutely delicious! The sweetness is perfectly balanced, and that springy texture means I could happily eat these forever.

Next up, the sakura mochi (cherry blossom rice cake). I’m one of those people who eats the pickled cherry leaf along with the mochi — it’s all part of the experience!

Oh my, this sakura mochi is incredible! The salty notes from the leaf strike a perfect balance with the gentle sweetness of the red bean paste — they form the most wonderful flavor duo. This one’s a champion. Absolutely amazing. The salty-sweet harmony of sakura mochi never disappoints!

Next, the yomogi dango (mugwort dumpling). The texture is delightfully different from the amigasa — while the amigasa is springy-chewy, the yomogi dango has a denser, more substantial bite.

That hearty, satisfying texture pairs beautifully with the smooth red bean paste inside.

Now for the kinako-cinnamon ohagi. The cinnamon adds a wonderful aroma and a slightly spicy kick that pairs surprisingly well with the red bean paste. This one features chunky tsubuan filling.

Next, the classic tsubuan ohagi.

This is the timeless, can’t-go-wrong classic. They’re nicely sized — small enough that you can keep eating them. The rice inside has a wonderful grainy texture that blends perfectly with the chunky red bean paste, creating an explosion of deliciousness in every bite!

Now for the amazake manju!

This is the red one — a beautiful pinkish-red color filled with smooth koshian red bean paste.
Fluffy and chewy!
The soft, pillowy dough wraps around the sweet bean paste, and they practically dance together in your mouth, asking “Aren’t I delicious?”

Yes, yes you are!

And here’s the white one.

This one also has smooth koshian filling. What I love about all the manju and dango here is that the sweetness is never overpowering — it’s just right, with no heaviness or cloying aftertaste. You can eat them endlessly!

Now I totally understand why everyone was buying them in bulk!

Next up, I tried the Sekihan (red bean rice) — 300 yen.

Just look at all that black sesame!
Is each sesame seed a little piece of happiness?

This is ridiculously delicious! The rice itself has a wonderful salty seasoning, so every bite is flavorful no matter where you start. The azuki beans are tender and fluffy. One person can easily polish off an entire pack — it’s that good. Even when you’re stuffed, you’ll find yourself reaching for just one more bite!

There were several other items I didn’t get to try, but here’s what I can say with absolute confidence: there are no misses here. Everything I tasted was outstanding. These would make perfect souvenirs or gifts — guaranteed to delight whoever receives them.

If you’re traveling around Yamaga, please make a stop at Yamaguchi Manju Shop — you won’t regret it!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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