Hello, fellow travelers!

It’s Binako here, your Sarukuma writer — and the season has finally turned cold enough that my hot drinks are no longer iced!

Today I’m taking you to Shiroyama-otsutsumi in Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City, to a delightful local shop called “Inariya Honpo” — a hidden gem that specializes in Kumamoto’s most famous regional treats.

Bright. Bold. YELLOW.
You genuinely cannot miss this big, sunshine-yellow storefront — it’s a landmark in itself!

Inside, the atmosphere is wonderfully retro and full of old-school Japanese charm.
My eyes were instantly drawn to a charming hand-carved wooden bear figurine on display — a fun bit of Japanese countryside character!

Just to your right as you enter, you’ll find an irresistible lineup of freshly made tempura at amazingly affordable prices:
Lotus Root Tempura — 1 pack, 100 yen
Sweet Potato Tempura — 1 pack, 100 yen
A perfect snack stop for budget-conscious travelers!

And of course, the real stars of Kumamoto cuisine are here too:
Karashi Renkon (Mustard-Stuffed Lotus Root) — 1 piece, 400 yen
Stick Lotus Root — 1 piece, 100 yen

Happy Combo — 1 pack, 200 yen
This one is the owner’s personal recommendation!

It’s a value pack containing both Karashi Renkon (mustard lotus root) and Mentai Renkon (spicy cod roe lotus root).
I’ve never tried Mentai Renkon before, so I was instantly intrigued!

Gomoku-meshi (Mixed Rice) — 1 pack, 100 yen
Inari Sushi — 1 piece, 100 yen
Inari Sushi — 1 pack of 2 pieces, 200 yen
All wonderfully affordable!

You’ll notice many items have lucky charm messages written on them — that’s because the shop sits directly opposite an Inari Shrine. Eating Inari sushi here is said to bring good fortune (a fun cultural twist worth experiencing)!

Recommended Menu

Today, I went with the
Happy Combo — 1 pack, 200 yen!

I just couldn’t stop wondering what Mentai Renkon tasted like!

Inside the pack, you get 4 pieces of Karashi Renkon and 1 piece of Mentai Renkon — a perfect tasting set!

I couldn’t even wait to get home — I dove into the Karashi Renkon right there in the car!

Don’t let their golden, fried look fool you — these aren’t nuggets!
They’re small, bite-sized pieces of Kumamoto’s iconic mustard-stuffed lotus root.

Oh wow — delicious!
The satisfying crunch of the lotus root, the nutty richness of the mustard, the earthy umami — every flavor harmonized beautifully. Pure perfection!

There’s just nothing like a great Karashi Renkon — and this one is fantastic!

Next, the moment of truth — Mentai Renkon!
My heart was racing with anticipation…

SO. GOOD!

The spicy kick from the mentaiko (spicy cod roe) was incredibly bold —
spicy and savory in the best way!

What a perfect pairing!
You can actually feel the satisfying pop of the cod roe grains.
It’s a completely different kind of heat from the mustard variety, and it adds an absolutely wonderful flavor accent ( *´艸｀)

If you’re visiting Kumamoto, this is a must-stop spot — please give it a try!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.