About Shiratamaya Shinzaburo

Hello travelers! It’s Maru, your Sarukuma writer 🙂🙃

Today I’m introducing a wonderful spot in Hikawa Town, Yatsushiro District, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“Shiratamaya Shinzaburo”.

※ This is a long-established shop with over 370 years of history!

They sell shiratama-ko (rice flour) and sweets, and you can also enjoy shiratama dango desserts and Western-style dishes inside the shop (^^)

By the way, did you think shiratama-ko was only used for making shiratama dango?
I did too — but actually, the recipes you can make with shiratama-ko are endless! More on that later…

The shop is just off National Route 3, right next to the Suna River. Parking is available nearby.

Inside the shop. So many sweets…

Frozen shiratama desserts including kinako (roasted soybean flour) shiratama and kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) shiratama, each priced at 367 yen.

Stone-mill manju buns at 141 yen, blueberry cookies at 119 yen, plus pudding and more — both Japanese and Western sweets are available.

And of course, a wide variety of shiratama-ko on display.

Gift boxes packed entirely with shiratama-ko — truly impressive 😲

There are also sets that include kinako and kuromitsu, making them perfect souvenirs for anyone who loves home cooking ♪

There are a few seats near the entrance.
I thought that was all — but they kindly led me to the back area…

And there’s a spacious back area with plenty of seating!

On the table, there were several books about Shiratamaya Shinzaburo — including recipe books (^O^)

Their carefully crafted shiratama-ko is made from 100% domestic paddy-grown mochi rice, ground using traditional stone mills 😲

Shiratama-ko is a preserved food made from processed mochi rice.

“Easy rice porridge made from cooked rice”
“Shiratama-ko curry for extra thickness”
“Sekihan (red bean rice) without using mochi rice”
“Shiratama-ko coating for fried chicken”
“Shiratama-ko in pancakes” and many more.

It’s not just for dango!
The shop’s website and Facebook page have lots of recipes — be sure to give them a try 😍

Recommended Menu at Shiratamaya Shinzaburo

Here’s the sweets menu — every dish features shiratama dango! 😋

The Shiratama Zanmai at 990 yen lets you enjoy four kinds of shiratama in one bowl (^^)

Japanese Chestnut Mont Blanc Shiratama and Sweet Potato Mont Blanc Shiratama — 1,100 yen

Mont Blanc + shiratama?! 😲 A signature creation only a shiratama specialist could make!

Matcha and Strawberry Mont Blanc Shiratama — 1,100 yen

Hanarokka Harukaze — 770 yen. What a lovely name 🎶

And here’s the Western food menu.

It’s run by the people who used to operate “Kuma-san no Daidokoro” — a beloved restaurant once located in Kumamoto City’s Minami Ward!

You’ll even find White Gratin made with shiratama-ko at 990 yen — a unique dish you can only enjoy here 😍

This time, I went for the sweets. First, the Shiratama Anmitsu at 990 yen.

So colorful and irresistible ✨
Anmitsu (a traditional Japanese dessert with agar jelly, fruit, and sweet beans) is one of those treats you appreciate more as an adult — I never quite got it as a kid (^^)

Look at that kuromitsu drizzle!

Loaded with warabi mochi, fresh fruit, and soft serve ice cream 🎶

Red-and-white shiratama dumplings — beautifully glossy.

Wonderfully chewy with the perfect bounce 😍

So this is what truly artisan-made shiratama tastes like! The texture is unforgettable — I can still recall it now (^^)

Also, the salt balance of the sweet bean paste is absolute perfection.

And here is the Shiratama Soft Serve — 450 yen (with kuromitsu)

Sweet bean paste topped with shiratama.

Inside the soft serve, instead of cornflakes, you’ll find kanten (agar jelly) 😋

And of course, it’s a delicious match!

Be sure to stop by and try it for yourself 💕 And don’t forget to give those shiratama-ko recipes a go ♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

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