About the Shop

Hello there!
This is Asukarando, your Sarukuma writer.

Today I’m introducing a hidden gem located in
Ueki-machi Mao, Kitaku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture —
“Fresh & Half Price Bakery”!

This is a super-cheap bakery located right on the grounds of the Ryoyupan bread factory!

The parking lot is right at the entrance of the property — easy to find!

Inside the shop, the shelves are packed full of those familiar Ryoyupan breads you’d normally see in supermarkets across Japan ☆

The shop opens at 8:00 AM,
but from my own experience, around 9:00 AM is when you’ll find the widest variety of bread on the shelves!

By early afternoon, the shelves are nearly empty, so I highly recommend coming early (^-^)/

The familiar breads sold at ‘Fresh & Half Price Bakery’ are
definitely cheaper than buying them at a supermarket (^з^)-☆

Most breads start from just 50 yen! (^o^)

If it’s the same bread, you’d naturally go for the cheaper one, right? (⌒0⌒)／~~

What’s on the shelves changes day by day — that’s part of the fun!
I’ve seen koppepan (Japanese-style hot dog rolls) for as little as 10 yen,
and fluffy burger buns for around 20 yen too.

They also stock drinks and sweets (^o^)
Hot drinks are available too — perfect for a cool morning in Kumamoto.

The bento (boxed lunch) selection wasn’t fully stocked yet on this visit, but they’re priced very reasonably too.
There’s even a microwave on-site so you can heat up your bento before taking it to go!

The bread factory sits right next to the shop, and you can even see delivery trucks heading out — fresh from oven to shelf!

Recommended Items

Here’s what I picked up on my visit (^з^)-☆
You might recognize some of these classics!

First up, a true Japanese after-school classic —
Sausage Mayonnaise Bread — 63 yen
I’ve loved this one since middle school. Reliably delicious! (^o^)

My latest discovery!
Triangle Castella-Style Steamed Cake — 65 yen

So fluffy and soft that it almost feels like it might collapse in your hand! (^-^)
And it’s surprisingly big!

Oh, it’s so fluffy! (^з^)-☆
It’s like the best of both worlds — castella sponge cake meets steamed bun!

I’ll definitely be back for this one!
Note: Since it contains honey, please do not feed this to infants under 1 year old.

Walnut Cheese Bread — 63 yen
This one is dangerously addictive! (^-^)/

The dough is loaded with walnuts, and the cream cheese inside is absolutely delicious! (^o^)

And then there’s this brown melon-pan!

Old-Fashioned Melon Pan — 54 yen
Simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious — this is the all-time #1 favorite bread for both me and my kids! ☆

Christmas cake reservations have started here too! ☆☆☆

Reserve early here and you can get your Christmas cake at a discounted price! (^o^)

Come check out this incredible bargain bakery on the grounds of the Ryoyupan factory in Ueki-machi! (⌒0⌒)／~~
Grab some bread and a drink, then head straight to a nearby park for a perfect morning or lunch picnic — a wonderful way to enjoy Kumamoto!

Follow our Instagram — updated daily!
Sarukuma shares lunch spots, parks, and indoor play info for families raising children in Kumamoto.
Thanks for following along! (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

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