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Matsuai Foods (Uki City, Shiranui): A 190-Year-Old Soy Sauce Maker with Soft Serve, Free Popcorn & Family-Friendly Charm

Outing Spots

2023.05.17

πŸ“Œ What you’ll learn in this article
A Sarukuma writer visits “Matsuai Foods” in Shiranui, Uki City, and shares the full experience. Prices start from just 150 yen. We also cover family-friendly highlights, access, and opening hours.

About Matsuai Foods

Hello! This is Chomo, your Sarukuma travel writer.

Today I’m taking you to Shiranui Town, Uki City
to visit the Matsuai Foods Direct Sales Shop.
This hidden gem is famous among locals for crafting delicious additive-free soy sauce.
It’s a long-established maker with 190 years of history! 😊
While soy sauce and miso are the main products,
this direct sales shop also serves soy sauce soft serve ice cream and free miso soup tastings β™ͺ

It’s incredibly welcoming for families with kids…
A spot I genuinely recommend!
More details below 😊

The shop sits on a small hill along National Route 266 heading toward Amakusa.
On clear days, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea β™ͺ
Here’s the parking lot at Matsuai Foods!
It’s spacious and fits about 10 cars.
Step inside and you’ll find shelves lined with soy sauces and vinegars made entirely from Kumamoto-grown soybeans and Kyushu-grown wheat and rice β€” all pesticide-free and free from chemical fertilizers.

That makes it a safe choice for kids with allergies, too β—Ž

Matsuai Foods has a cozy in-shop seating area
where you can enjoy soft serve and miso soup β™ͺ
Adults are even treated to complimentary tea and coffee β—Ž
What a lovely touch! 😊
There are two Western-style toilets in the back, plus a roomy washbasin β€” perfect for visitors with little ones 😊
There’s also outdoor seating where you can relax and admire the sea on cooler days β™ͺ

Must-Try Menu Items at Matsuai Foods

First up is the “Whole Soybean Soy Sauce Soft Serve”
for just 150 yen!
What a steal! (^^)
It has a subtle hint of soy sauce that pairs beautifully with the creamy sweetness β™‘
My son couldn’t stop eating it! Lol
This is the perfect treat as the weather warms up.

There’s also the “Premium Whole Soybean Soy Sauce Soft Serve”
at 250 yen.
It’s topped with soy sauce-glazed almonds for a delightful crunchy contrast 🌸
Another delicious item is the
Mitarashi Dango (sweet soy-glazed rice dumplings) β™‘
Just 150 yen per skewer!
It was absolutely incredible. (Sorry β€” I forgot to take a photo… πŸ’¦)
*Mitarashi Dango is sold on irregular days, so check their Instagram or official LINE account for availability β™ͺ

We also enjoyed some free popcorn!
It gave us a fun, festival-like vibe β™ͺ
And kids receive a free stationery gift β€” they can pick from notebooks, erasers, or pencils.
My son was thrilled 😊 β€” he loved getting to choose his own β™ͺThere’s even a complimentary milk service
showing the shop’s heartwarming care for younger visitors β™ͺ

Matsuai Foods also runs a children’s cafeteria for the local community,
so if you live nearby, definitely stop by β—Ž
The staff are wonderfully kind to children,
making it a relaxing place to visit β™ͺ
It’s a perfect rest stop on your drive to Amakusa 😊

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At Sarukuma, we share lunch spots, parks, and indoor play info for families in Kumamoto.
Thanks for following! (*Β΄βˆ€ο½€*)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a recommended family-friendly spot in Shiranui, Uki City?

“Matsuai Foods” is a popular and welcoming spot for families in Shiranui, Uki City. Read this article for full details.

What are Matsuai Foods’ opening hours and closed days?

Hours and closed days may change. Please check the official website or call ahead before visiting.

*Information is accurate as of the visit. Prices and hours may change β€” please confirm before visiting.

Article Writer

Sarukuma Editorial is a small team of locals based in Kumamoto, Japan, sharing the hidden gems, hometown flavors, and seasonal experiences that make our region special. We write the kind of guide we wish we had when showing friends around β€” honest, practical, and made by people who actually live here.

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