About the Shop

Hello, travelers!

Even though we’ve already rung in the new year,
my holiday cleaning is still only halfway done — this is Binako, your Sarukuma writer!

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a delightful little bakery located in Kokubu, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City:
“Himawari Pan Koubou” (Sunflower Bread Workshop).

Himawari Pan Koubou is a beloved local bakery whose motto is
“bread that’s kind to your body and soul,”
offering a wide variety of wholesome, handcrafted breads!

Parking is available right next to the shop
and also around the back, so it’s easy to visit by car.

Just before you enter, there’s a charming chalkboard
listing today’s recommended breads and the times they’ll be coming fresh out of the oven.

Step inside and you’re greeted by freshly baked breads
being arranged on the shelves one by one. Behind the register, the bakers are hard at work,
calling out to each other about which bread is coming out next. It’s a lively, warm atmosphere ♪

On the upper shelves, you’ll find
beautifully made baked rice flour donuts —
the perfect guilt-free treat your body will thank you for.
Black Tea Chocolate Chip — 150 yen
Coffee Plain — 140 yen

There’s also a tempting limited-edition seasonal item:
Black Tea & Apple Bread — 160 yen

Chunky Brown Sugar Walnut Bread — 140 yen

Mini Rich Bread
Whole loaf — 550 yen | Half loaf — 280 yen
is another favorite worth trying.

As mentioned earlier, every shelf is filled with breads
made from gentle, body-friendly ingredients — perfect for health-conscious travelers.

You’ll also find packaged juices,
and inside the fridge, you can grab a Choco Cornet for just 110 yen.

Not pictured here, but worth mentioning:
coffee is available for only 100 yen! ^^

There’s even a cozy counter inside where you can sit and enjoy your bread.

The shop also sells lovely handmade crafts,
so it’s a fun spot to browse and discover little treasures ♪

And here’s a wonderful eco-friendly touch that genuinely moved me:
they package your bread in handmade bags crafted from old flyers!
With plastic shopping bags now charged for in Japan,
this bakery offers their charming handmade alternatives completely free of charge.
It’s eco-conscious AND delightful to receive — a win-win ( *´艸｀)

Recommended Menu

This time around, I picked up:
Rice Flour Baked Donut (Coffee flavor)
Black Tea & Apple Bread
Choco Cornet

I was so eager to dig into the donut that I could barely contain myself in the car, so I started with that one.
The adorable coffee bean stamp on top is such a stylish touch!

The instant I opened the bag, the rich aroma of coffee hit me
and knocked me out on the spot.
The scent alone is intoxicating…

And taking a bite was a total flavor K.O.!
The rice flour gives the dough an incredible chewy, mochi-like texture,
and with each bite the coffee flavor unfolds beautifully.
It’s gentle, deeply satisfying, and now I’m dying to try every other donut flavor.

Next, lured in by the “limited edition” label,
I tried the Black Tea & Apple Bread.

What a dream pairing — and you can actually see real tea leaves embedded in the dough!

The fragrance of black tea is gorgeous,
and the gentle aroma that drifts up to your nose with each bite is pure happiness.

Inside the chewy, pillowy dough is a custard that’s lightly sweet,
perfectly balanced by the crisp, juicy crunch of fresh apple.
It made me feel like I was having afternoon tea in the most elegant way.

The Choco Cornet is a charming, bite-sized treat that’s easy to enjoy on the go.
Not only is it filled with chocolate inside —
the outside is also coated in chocolate, which sends any chocoholic into pure bliss!

The chocolate that overflows from inside is rich and decadent,
with a refined sweetness that pairs perfectly with the soft, fluffy bread.
Each bite is an absolute delight.

I think this might just be where my child’s love for chocolate began!

This truly is a bakery that’s kind to both body and heart —
the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again!

If you’re visiting Kumamoto, please add Himawari Pan Koubou to your itinerary!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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