Bistro Kaishinmaru: An Introduction

Hello, travelers!

This is Sunny, a writer for SaruKuma.
Today I’m taking you to a wonderful spot in Hikari-no-Mori, Kikuyo Town, Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture —
Bistro Kaishinmaru.

At first glance, the restaurant looks so chic that you might wonder if it’s really kid-friendly — but rest assured,
Kaishinmaru warmly welcomes families with children! The restaurant is located directly across from the Kumamoto Kita Post Office.
Fellow SaruKuma writer Yutomino previously introduced
the shop’s Taiwanese-style shaved ice here.

[Bistro Kaishinmaru] Izakaya by night, lunch by day — and weekend-only Taiwanese shaved ice in Hikari-no-Mori, Kikuyo!

The exterior catches the eye even from the road — stylish and inviting. Look for the large signboard. A cute bus-stop-style sign!
Look closely and you’ll see the opening hours written on it.
“From dream to hope!” — adorable!

The parking lot fits about 20 cars. Out front, there’s a lovely terrace.
You can even host a barbecue here.
The terrace is dog-friendly, too.
It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch after a walk!
It was a bit chilly today, so I left my pup at home (haha).
Here’s the entrance.
The table seating area. The entire floor can be reserved for private events. The counter seats let you watch the chef in action.
Oops — I caught a moment when the day’s deliveries were still on the counter! Sorry, Kaishinmaru!
Above the counter, the dinner menu is written out in mouthwatering detail.
I want to come back at night — and try everything! There are two cozy sofa seats. There’s also a private tatami (zashiki) room.
Perfect for visitors with little ones!
Since there’s only one, I’d recommend reserving in advance.

The restroom is equipped with a diaper-changing table, too.

This place truly goes the extra mile for guests (^^)
They’ll even help arrange surprises for special occasions.

Bistro Kaishinmaru: Recommended Menu Picks

So, what to eat today?
It’s always a delicious dilemma!
Every lunch set comes with a drink.
Even better — refills are just 110 yen!
And you can pick any drink you like — what a treat!

This time, I went with
the Daily Choice One-Plate Lunch — 1,518 yen.
It comes with your choice of homemade baguette or rice, and a meat or fish main.

Here are the appetizers from the one-plate lunch.
The selection changes daily. (Today: oyster nanban-zuke, prosciutto, and edamame peperoncino.)

How chic is this presentation?!
Each dish arrives on a uniquely shaped wooden plate.
I chose the fish (fried oysters) with rice.
The plump fried oysters from Hiroshima Prefecture are creamy, juicy, and beautifully balanced — not a hint of bitterness!
And the homemade tartar sauce, packed with chunky ingredients, is absolutely divine. My friend chose the meat (chicken thigh confit) with the homemade baguette.
The chicken is so tender it falls apart — even small children can enjoy it!

Equally amazing.
From the main dishes to the homemade baguette, salad, and side dishes —
every component is thoughtfully crafted and absolutely delicious.
You won’t want to leave a single drop of dressing on the plate (haha).
And here’s a dish I had on a previous visit —
the Basashi (Horse Sashimi) Suzette Nigiri Lunch — 1,518 yen.
Sorry for the close-up shot!

It comes with eight pieces of nigiri and a salad.
The horse sashimi nigiri practically melts in your mouth.
I savored every single piece, peeling them off slowly because I didn’t want it to end (haha).

Highly recommended as well.

For my set drink, I picked
the fresh-squeezed cassis grapefruit soda.

This is way beyond your typical lunch-set drink (haha)!
And the fact that refills are only 110 yen is incredible!Mini Dessert — 220 yen
Hot Coffee Refill — 110 yen

To finish, I enjoyed dessert and coffee.And don’t miss the weekday-lunch-only “Moms’ Tea Party Plan” — highly recommended!

Chef’s Choice Daily One-Plate — 1,000 yen
Chef’s Choice One-Plate + Appetizer, 1 Drink & Dessert — 1,500 yen
Both prices include tax — what a fantastic deal! (^^)

I once used this plan for a gathering of nearly 30 people.
When I asked if I could arrive early to set up and create a small kids’ corner in the restaurant, the staff happily agreed,
and we had a truly wonderful tea party.

Beyond the gorgeous atmosphere and amazing food,
the staff are absolutely lovely, making the whole experience feel warm and welcoming.

My beloved Bistro Kaishinmaru —
I hope you’ll go and experience it for yourself!

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※Information is accurate as of the time of coverage. Prices and opening hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.