Welcome to Hisago Washoku

Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Igaguri 🌰, your Sarukuma writer.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to
Hisago Washoku, a wonderful traditional Japanese restaurant located in Kumin, Kamoto-machi, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

The exterior alone is absolutely charming!

What’s that hollow “kakon” sound?
It turned out to be a traditional bamboo “shishi-odoshi” — a perfect chance for me to teach my daughter about this classic piece of Japanese garden culture.

As soon as you step inside, the register is right there. To the right are tables and chairs, while the left side features plenty of private rooms — perfect for groups or families wanting a bit of privacy.

There are also tatami-style table seats — a wonderful way to enjoy traditional Japanese dining!

*This photo was taken after our meal — please excuse the messy table!

We were welcomed with an antibacterial mask case and a cup of green tea — a thoughtful Japanese touch.

They even had children’s chairs available (yes, we played a little spot-the-difference game here!).

Two small serving plates and even a pair of children’s chopsticks were brought out for us — such kind hospitality! (We were genuinely touched.)

Recommended Menu Items at Hisago Washoku

We arrived at around 1:00 p.m.

Seafood rice bowls, sushi set meals,
conger eel, kuruma-prawns, horse mackerel, fried oysters…

The menu options begin right at the entrance, and honestly, choosing was a delightful struggle!

Should we go for sushi?

Or maybe order an à la carte item for the little one?

In the end, we ordered the Sea Bream Ara-daki Set Meal (simmered sea bream collar) for 1,848 yen, and…

…the Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork Loin Cutlet Set Meal (with sashimi) for 1,848 yen.

Both dishes were absolutely HUGE!!
(So glad we didn’t add any à la carte items, lol!)

The moment they arrived at our table, I gasped “Whoaaa!” and the staff cheerfully replied, “Yes, we’re known for our hearty portions!” 😄

The sashimi was wonderful, of course, and the ara-daki (simmered sea bream collar) was absolutely incredible —
the vegetables were perfectly soaked in flavor too.

By the way, rice refills are free!
Personally, I found the pickles so delicious that I had to be careful not to overeat.

The miso soup featured seasonal aosa seaweed.
With those pickles and miso soup alone, you could easily put away two bowls of rice.

The tonkatsu (pork cutlet) was equally outstanding.

It was tender, with a perfectly thin and crispy coating — absolutely delicious 😋☆
My daughter devoured it!

My daughter snatched it up so quickly I couldn’t even get a picture, but the chawanmushi (savory egg custard) came with gyuhi (soft mochi) and shiratama dango (rice flour dumplings) inside!

The spaghetti was tossed with egg — a delightful little surprise.

These two set meals were enough to feed two adults plus a toddler — for both lunch AND dinner! (Seriously!)

At first glance, the prices might seem a bit steep, but when you factor in the volume and quality, it’s actually fantastic value.

After enjoying a relaxing soak at the famous Yamaga Onsen,
filling up at Hisago Washoku is the perfect way to round out your day. Highly recommended! (^_-)-☆

Frequently Asked Questions

*Information accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.