About Nippon-ichi Taiyaki Kumamoto Tomiai

Hello there!
This is Maru, your SaruKuma writer 🙂🙃

Today I’m introducing a delicious spot in Tomiai-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City,
“Nippon-ichi Taiyaki Kumamoto Tomiai”!

Japan’s No. 1 Taiyaki?! 🐟🐟

(Taiyaki is a fish-shaped Japanese cake traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste.) Well, with a name like that, you simply have to taste it for yourself! So off I went to investigate (^O^)

Parking is right in front of the shop 🚙💨 Customers were arriving one after another.

I noticed a vivid green banner advertising matcha-bean taiyaki?! 😲 Wow, I’m intrigued ♪

Taiyaki-kun swimming through the forest

Long, long ago, there was a hugely popular Japanese song called “Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun” (“Swim! Little Taiyaki”) (^O^)

The story goes: Taiyaki-kun has a fight with the shop owner, escapes into the sea, swims free… and is eventually caught by a fisherman and eaten in the end. A surprisingly bittersweet little tale (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

Apparently these are “wild-caught” taiyaki?!

They look so lively, you’d swear they could swim back into the sea! Calling them “wild-caught” suggests there’s some serious craftsmanship behind these little fish!

The taiyaki are sold from this display case.

A lineup of 4 varieties!

They also sell soft serve ice cream!

There’s a vending machine inside the shop, too.

And they also stock senbei (rice crackers) and other snacks!

Recommended Menu at Nippon-ichi Taiyaki Kumamoto Tomiai

“This taiyaki is the best in Japan — Nippon-ichi tai!”

That declaration from the founder is said to be the origin of the shop’s name…

Piping-hot Taiyaki-kun 😍

This time I picked up azuki sweet bean (180 yen), custard (180 yen), and matcha bean (205 yen) ✨

The back of the bag lists their three points of pride!

The batter, the bean paste, and the technique!

When all three come together, you get Japan’s No. 1 taiyaki (ﾟ∀ﾟ)
Each one is baked in a patented taiyaki griddle by craftsmen who have passed an official certification exam 😲

And now, the eternal question!

Do you eat taiyaki starting from the head or the tail?
Here, they recommend starting from the tail 🐟

Look at the heft on this one — surprisingly heavy! 😲

The skin is so thin you can actually see the bean paste through it!

Sorry, Taiyaki-kun — I’m going to split you open from the belly…

The bean paste runs all the way to the very tip of the tail ＼(^o^)／

And the skin? Not a hint of sogginess — crisp and crackly with a satisfying crunch 😍

You can really taste the care that goes into this batter, prepared the day before using a special method. Once they run out of batter, that’s it for the day — sold out, sorry! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

The bean paste itself, made specifically for taiyaki, is exquisite — not too sweet, just perfect! 😍

It’s crafted by the long-established confectionery maker Nitsurudo, who spent years perfecting the recipe. After all is said and done, the classic azuki red bean is still my favorite ✨

Whoa, look at that green belly! This is the much-talked-about matcha bean ♪

It’s white bean paste blended with Yame green tea paste! A first for me 😋

An elegant, refined tea flavor in a smooth white bean paste 🍵 Gentle and absolutely delicious ♪

You really have to try this one for yourself!

And here’s the custard 😋 — packed with so much creamy filling it’ll make you smile.

Highly recommended for kids! 👦👧

Visiting Kumamoto? Don’t miss the chance to try Japan’s No. 1 taiyaki for yourself! ♪

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