Hello, fellow travelers!

It’s Binako,
your SaruKuma writer who tends to lose track of bedtime!

Welcome to Kotonoha

Today, let me introduce you to
“Kotonoha”, a delightful little spot tucked away in
Miyaji, Ichinomiya-machi, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Kotonoha doubles as a cozy cafe,
so if you have time, definitely stop by for lunch as well!
You’ll find it along the historic monzen-machi shopping street leading up to Aso Shrine — a perfect stop on your sightseeing route.

The cafe also sells charming Japanese-style miscellaneous goods,
making it a great place to pick up unique souvenirs or gifts to take home!

Inside, you’ll find regular table seating along with one traditional tatami zashiki room tucked in the back —
perfect for families with little ones! The atmosphere is warm and serene, making it the kind of place where you’ll want to linger.

Here’s a peek at the lunch menu!
From coffee and soft serve ice cream to spaghetti, pizza, and hot dogs,
there’s truly something for everyone — whether you’re craving a hearty meal or just a light snack between sights.

Kotonoha’s Must-Try Menu

Their soft serve lineup includes:
Aso Jersey Soft Serve — made with rich milk from local Jersey cows
Medium 300 yen / Small 200 yen
Premium Soft Serve 500 yen

The Premium Soft Serve is especially fun —
you get to choose from six different combinations of cones and soft serve flavors, so you can build your own perfect treat!

This time, I went all in with the
Premium Soft Serve (500 yen)
in combination No. 1!

And oh my — this soft serve is unbelievably good.
Rich, creamy, and impossibly smooth on the tongue.

The langue de chat cone (a classic French butter cookie) is the real game-changer here —
it’s delicate, crumbly, and pairs beautifully with the silky soft serve.

Toward the end, when you bite into the cone packed with
that last bit of soft serve and crumbly langue de chat,
the buttery, cookie-like flavor really shines through.

Whoever came up with this combo is an absolute genius.

It’s seriously THAT good.

I’m already curious about the rest of the lunch menu,
so I’ll definitely be back to try more next time!

If you’re traveling through Aso, this is one stop you don’t want to miss!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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