Introducing Sushi no Matsuba

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

Today I’m taking you to
Masunaga, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture,
to a wonderful little sushi restaurant called
“Sushi no Matsuba”.

Wait — where are we?! 🤔

This gem is tucked along the Arao Municipal Hospital street.

It’s a rare sight on this street — an upscale-looking sushi restaurant that immediately catches your eye.
But when I heard the lunch sets were surprisingly affordable, I just had to investigate!

Inside, there are about 3 counter seats and 3 semi-private horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu) seats.

Toward the back, I’m told there’s also table seating for up to 15 people.

The displays are beautifully arranged,

with adorable chirimen (crepe fabric) crafts,

impressive certificates of recognition,

and even the chef’s heartfelt philosophy proudly displayed on the wall.

Recommended Menu at Sushi no Matsuba

The wallet-friendly lunch menu starts at just ¥920!

The Chef’s Choice Nigiri Set,
Anago (Sea Eel) Chirashi, and
Salmon Chirashi Set all come with an onsen tamago (hot spring egg) and a dessert.
For an extra ¥110, you can swap these for chawanmushi (savory egg custard) and clear soup.

The chef-recommended “Manpuku (Hearty) Set” lets you choose between

tempura, deep-fried squid legs, or karaage (Japanese fried chicken).

This time I went with the tempura.

And all of this generous portion is just ¥1,100 (tax included)!

As expected from a proper non-conveyor sushi restaurant —

Absolutely delicious.

While I’m a big fan of Sushiro when it comes to conveyor-belt sushi,
this level of quality is something only a traditional sushi-ya can deliver.

Pure indulgence! ♡

The tempura was perfectly crisp.
Why is sushi-restaurant tempura always so good? It’s a mystery!

Seasonal sweet potato, and the fish was… kisu (Japanese whiting), I think?
I really should have asked!

The dumpling in the clear soup was incredibly tender and delicious.
The komatsuna greens and yuzu citrus aroma added an elegant touch.

The chawanmushi was beautifully smooth as well…

The Manpuku (Hearty) Set comes with:
Chawanmushi
Tempura
Inari sushi, kappa-maki (cucumber roll), tamago (egg), and ebi (shrimp)
It’s a great option for sharing with kids! ◎

Of course, à la carte options are also available,

and there’s a fun, hiragana-only menu that kids absolutely love! ☆

And here’s the most amazing part of all the lunch sets I’ve shown you:
weekend and holiday lunches are the same price! 🎉

Weekdays can also get pretty busy, so I recommend calling ahead to check before you visit. ☆

Frequently Asked Questions

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