Introducing CafeBANANA

Hello there! I’m Gachako, a writer for [Sarukuma].

Today, I’m excited to introduce a charming spot in Yamaga City, Kumamoto, that opened in April 2022:
【CafeBANANA】

Located along the historic Buzen Kaido street, this café is run by “Kakiyama Fruits,” a beloved fruit shop with 60 years of history.There are 2 parking spaces directly across from the shop. If those are full, you can use the public parking lots along Buzen Kaido.
On the day of my visit, fresh watermelons had just arrived.
Keep an eye out for the seasonal fruits on display.
In the mornings, many customers stop by specifically to pick up fresh fruit.

In the back of the shop, they roast their own coffee beans on-site.
That’s right — it’s house-roasted! The aromatic scent of freshly roasted coffee fills the air.

Here’s the menu:

Americano (HOT/ICE) — 350 yen
Café Latte (HOT/ICE) — 450 yen
Banana Smoothie — 380 yen
Espresso Banana — 520 yen
Smoothie of the Day — 580 yen
Lemonade — 350 yen

CafeBANANA’s Recommended Menu

I ordered their signature Espresso Banana for 580 yen.
After ordering, they freshly grind the beans and pull a fresh shot of espresso right then and there.
The bananas are perfectly ripened to bring out their natural sweetness.

The espresso sits at the bottom of the cup, with a creamy banana smoothie layered on top.
Give it a good stir before sipping.
“Wait — banana and coffee actually go together!?”
If that’s what you’re thinking, just wait until you try it! You’ll be amazed.
The combination is a match made in heaven. Pure magic!

It’s gently sweet and easy to drink, like a café latte but with a flavor profile you’ve never experienced before.
Even if you’re not a fan of the milky taste of a regular latte, you can still enjoy that latte-style experience here. Honestly, I’d love to drink this every morning.

I asked the owner if other shops offer a similar banana-and-coffee drink, and as far as they know, this combination doesn’t exist anywhere else.
It was born from a fruit shop owner’s intuition that “banana and coffee absolutely belong together.”

They also sell convenient drip coffee packs for 200 yen.

Their house-roasted coffee beans are also available for purchase.
If you’re lucky, you might even find their delicious banana muffins for sale.

Buzen Kaido street is lined with many other charming shops worth exploring.
It’s the perfect area for a leisurely walk. We’ll be introducing more spots gradually here on Sarukuma.

Why not make CafeBANANA part of your strolling adventure?

Be sure to stop by CafeBANANA
during your next visit to Yamaga!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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