Introducing CoCoKitchen

Hello, travelers!
This is Igaguri, a writer for SaruKuma 🌰

Today I’m excited to introduce a wonderful little bakery located in Seigenji, Nagasu Town, Tamana District, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“CoCoKitchen”.

Just look for this charming banner — that’s your cue you’ve arrived!

You can even spot the cranes of the local shipyard rising in the background — a uniquely local view!

And here’s the entrance.

During Christmas season, a tree decorates the entrance — those thoughtful seasonal touches really show how much the staff care about welcoming guests ☆

In these times, finding a relaxed, peaceful bakery like this feels like such a gift.

Recommended Menu Items at CoCoKitchen

Every loaf and pastry comes individually wrapped — so reassuring, especially if you’re traveling with little ones who love to touch everything (*_*;).

The bakery uses 100% locally grown “Minami no Kaori” — bread wheat harvested right here in Tamana!
It’s a wonderful initiative that supports the local community.

Commitment #1: Uses domestic Japanese wheat with minimal pesticide concerns
Commitment #2: No yeast food additives or preservatives
Commitment #3: No shortening (which contains high levels of trans fats)

On this visit I picked up the Premium CoCo Shokupan (360 yen), the Special Salt Bread (140 yen), and the Chewy Brown Sugar Butter Roll (150 yen).
Note: The Premium CoCo Shokupan requires a reservation 2 days in advance.

The ingredients are something special:
— Beet sugar from Hokkaido (an unrefined brown sugar, not white)
— Salt from Amakusa
— Pure butter made from real milk

Beyond the ingredients themselves, the loaf is crafted with deep attention to fermentation flavor and the perfect bake.

It truly lives up to the “premium” name.

During Christmas, the bread comes wrapped in adorable Santa packaging (^_-)-☆

Kids absolutely love it, and it makes a perfect little gift, too ☆

Walnut and Cheese Shokupan
Milk and Condensed Milk Toast
Soy Milk Toast
Purple Sweet Potato and Beni Haruka Toast
Oat and Wheat Germ Olive Toast

The variety of shokupan (Japanese-style milk bread) here is impressive!

And if you check their Instagram, you’ll often spot announcements for unusual creations like:

Black Rice and Goji Berry Bread
Ginger Toast
Some wonderfully creative flavors!

The bakery’s philosophy is to make “bread that fills your heart with warmth and a smile when you eat it,” and they bake their gentle, body-friendly bread together with people who have disabilities.

Because the bakery doubles as an employment support program, they’re able to offer something truly special:
premium-quality ingredients at genuinely affordable prices!

It’s such a wonderful concept!

I (Igaguri) actually hold a bread instructor certification — I love bread that much! I used to bake everything from scratch at home, fussing over additive-free, carefully sourced ingredients for my kids.

But CoCoKitchen does all of that AND offers it at low prices AND contributes to the community…

I’ve completely surrendered.

I’ve decided to stop baking my own bread (lol).

Personally, this is my No. 1 favorite bakery! ♪

Frequently Asked Questions

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