Welcome to Tenmando

Hello travelers! It’s Mofumofu 🐱, your friendly SaruKuma writer.

Today I’m taking you to a hidden gem in Naganishi, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City —
Tenmando (天萬堂), an artisan Japanese sweets shop.

The shop celebrated its grand reopening on March 10, 2023 💐

Congratulations!

Tenmando specializes in “additive-free, peace-of-mind sweets” — perfect for travelers who care about clean ingredients!

They use a special 100% fruit sugar called “Ki no Takamaru Kato,” letting the natural flavor of each ingredient truly shine in every handmade treat 😊

To celebrate the reopening, the first 200 customers (up to 2 cups per family) receive a complimentary freshly squeezed lemonade made from whole-pressed domestic Japanese lemons — available through Thursday, March 16 🌟

Surprisingly not sour at all — it’s sweet, refreshing, and so easy to drink that I downed mine in seconds! Kids will love it too 😊

Here’s what the renovated shop interior looks like ✨

Right at the entrance you’ll find the register and an open kitchen — it’s wonderful to see the sweets being made right in front of you!

To the right of the entrance, an irresistible lineup of treats awaits!

Let’s take a closer look!

Ohagi (Sweet Rice Balls) — Tsubuan & Kinako
The shop’s most popular item, made with Tenmando’s original red bean paste
2 pieces ¥420 / 4 pieces ¥840

Ichigo Daifuku (Strawberry Mochi)
A seasonal specialty!
1 piece ¥250 / 2 pieces ¥500 / 3 pieces ¥750 / 4 pieces ¥1,000

Yakimochi (Grilled Mochi)
Mochi wrapped around chunky red bean paste and toasted to a fragrant golden brown
1 piece ¥180 / 2 pieces ¥360 / 3 pieces ¥540 / 5 pieces ¥900

“Soft-Until-Night” Kinako Mochi
A stretchy, melt-in-your-mouth kinako (roasted soybean) mochi with a brand-new texture
1 large ¥250 / 1 small ¥170

Burdock & Mushroom Okowa (Steamed Sticky Rice) (small size shown in photo)
1 large ¥500 / 1 small ¥270

Amazake Biscuits
Gluten-free biscuits made with low-glycemic ingredients! Available in salt, matcha, and chocolate
Introductory price ¥100

Sweet Potato Dango (refrigerated)
1 piece ¥240

Bitter Chocolate Dango (refrigerated)
1 piece ¥250

Mita Dango
1 piece ¥200
And plenty more sweets I didn’t have room to introduce here 🥰

The special “Ki no Takamaru Kato” fruit sugar Tenmando uses is also available for purchase!

Highly recommended for those watching their blood sugar or managing diabetes!

Tenmando’s Must-Try Picks

This time I picked up the “Soft-Until-Night” Kinako Mochi, Ichigo Daifuku, and Mita Dango!

Because everything is additive-free, the best-by date is the same day. No problem — I devoured the whole haul as soon as I got home 😋

First up, the kinako mochi I’d been most curious about!

Whoa — what is this?!
It’s gone way past “soft” — it literally melts.

I started with chopsticks but had to switch to a spoon halfway through, ha!

It was so delicious I ate the whole thing immediately and never got to verify whether it stays soft until night — I’ll have to come back for round two! 🔥

Next, the Mita Dango!
Once again — whoa, what is this?! Unbelievably bouncy and jiggly.

The mitarashi (sweet soy glaze) hits the perfect note of sweetness — light and refreshing, ideal as the weather warms up 😊

And to finish — Ichigo Daifuku 🍓
The sweet-tart strawberry mingles beautifully with the gentle sweetness of the red bean paste — pure bliss.

It’s seasonal, so don’t wait too long!

One more thing to share 🌟

For Spring Higan 2023 (the equinox memorial week), Tenmando is offering special ohagi sets and shiratama dango (rice flour dumpling) sets.

Reservations are accepted in-store, by phone, or via official LINE until March 20!

The Higan-only “Salted Ohagi” really caught my eye (I’m a sucker for limited editions) — be sure to reserve yours 😊✨

The Tenmando staff are warm, energetic, and welcoming — it was such a pleasant visit!

I’ll definitely be back for that kinako mochi rematch! 🔥

I caught the reopening celebration just in the nick of time — make sure you stop by Tenmando too! 🥰

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Frequently Asked Questions

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