Discovering TO-FU FACTORY Matsuda Tofu Shop

Hello travelers! This is Kurubushi, a writer for [Sarukuma], your local guide to Kumamoto’s hidden gems.

Today I’m taking you to a charming little tofu shop tucked away in Nonoshima, Koshi City —
TO-FU FACTORY Matsuda Tofu Shop.

As you drive along Prefectural Route 30 (the Ozu-Ueki Line) heading toward Ueki, a striking building suddenly catches your eye amid the lush greenery.

Hmm? What’s this?

TO-FU?

Toh-fu?

Ah! Tofu!!
As you get closer, you’ll spot a banner fluttering in the summer breeze:

“Soft Serve Ice Cream”
Well, that settles it. I have to stop here.
That’s exactly what I thought on my first visit.
As the name “TO-FU FACTORY” suggests, Matsuda Tofu Shop
is a working tofu production and retail facility.
Which means — yes — you can buy freshly made tofu straight from the source!
Isn’t that incredibly rare these days?
There are even benches outside the shop,
so you can take your time enjoying that soft serve after you buy it.

Honestly, I’m the kind of person who gets nervous walking into a new shop for the first time.
Traditional tofu shops in particular have always felt like “locals only” territory to me
— the kind of place where the regulars all know each other.
But the soft-serve banner and the welcoming benches outside made the place feel approachable, even for an introvert like me (yes, I’m seriously shy, lol).

Inside the shop, a glass display case showcases all kinds of tofu products.
And the best part — they use 100% Japanese-grown soybeans!
A handwritten message is displayed on the wall:
“Greetings — we are Matsuda Tofu Shop, makers of ‘Nonoshima Tofu.’
Every morning before dawn, we craft each piece of tofu by hand, with care and dedication.
We hope you’ll come to know us well.
Because we stubbornly insist on making everything by hand, our daily quantities are limited.
Thank you for understanding. Sincerely.”

In an era of mass production and mass consumption,
being able to enjoy tofu made one piece at a time, with genuine craftsmanship, feels like a true gift.

Their lineup includes deep-fried tofu (aburaage), fresh nama tofu, zaru tofu (basket-strained tofu), tofu pickled in moromi miso,
fresh okara (soy pulp), yuba (tofu skin), soy milk,
shiso-leaf tofu, yuzu citrus tofu, thick fried tofu (namaage), and red soybean tofu.

Plus silken tofu, firm cotton tofu,
tofu hamburger mix, shiraae (tofu salad) base, and gojiru (soybean soup) base.

The variety is impressive!
Things like soy milk and fresh okara are real specialties you can only find at an actual tofu maker.

Must-Try Items at TO-FU FACTORY Matsuda Tofu Shop

Of course, since this is a tofu shop, all the tofu in the display case comes highly recommended.
But the real showstopper is the one I keep teasing you about — the Soy Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream!!

Made with the shop’s own house-pressed soy milk,
from artisanal tofu crafted with carefully selected Japanese soybeans!

Because it’s a soy milk soft serve, the staff said they often get questions like “Does it contain eggs?” from customers concerned about allergies. They wanted me to mention clearly: making soft serve ice cream requires ingredients like eggs that are common allergens, so this product is NOT allergen-friendly.

Anyway — I couldn’t stop wondering what it would taste like.
And it’s only 250 yen!!

What a steal!!!!

Ta-da!

Looks reassuringly classic.

One bite, and it’s beautifully refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness,
plus a deep, rich soy milk flavor that really comes through.

SO. GOOD!!

Before we got to the shop, I told my daughter,
“We’re going to get tofu soft serve ice cream!”
She pouted: “I don’t want to eat it. I just want the cone.”
“I want strawberry. I want grape flavor.”

But the moment she took one spoonful,
“I want the rest! Hurry, give it to me!”
This is the face she gave me when I tried to take her photo:

Please… smile… lol
(And why on earth did you wear that headband…?)

I couldn’t say it out loud — and besides, it was scorching hot outside,
so just having her in the photo with me was a win 🤣

My daughter, who normally avoids tofu and soy milk, polished off the entire ice cream and raved about it.

The temperature that day was around 35°C (95°F),
and the soft serve started melting almost immediately,
so we had to wolf it down rather than savor it slowly.
But honestly, I think we would have eaten it that fast even if it weren’t melting!

I picked up a few other items too.
Nonoshima Aburaage (Crispy Fried Tofu) — 250 yen
Fried until perfectly crispy. A drizzle of soy sauce and a quick sear would make this an amazing snack.

Nama Tofu (Fresh Tofu) — 250 yen
The staff described it as a softer, more delicate version of yose-tofu (scooped tofu), so I had to try it.
I was about to grab a sauce to drizzle on top when I tasted a tiny bit first — and it stopped me cold.
No sauce needed.
It would be a crime to add anything!
There’s zero “beany” off-flavor — just the natural sweetness of soybeans and an unbelievable smoothness.
This might be the most delicious tofu I’ve ever eaten in my entire life.
If you buy it, please try it plain first — no soy sauce, no toppings.

Soy Milk — 180 yen
Check the ingredients label: 100% pressed soybean juice. That’s it.
It’s incredibly thick and creamy — almost like drinking liquid tofu.
The flavor is super intense.
This one’s for connoisseurs (lol)!
If you love soy milk, soybeans, or tofu, you’ll think it’s amazing,
but otherwise the richness might genuinely surprise you.
Personally, I love adding it to coffee for an incredible soy latte.
When I added it to soup, my kids loved it and said,
“Oh, you made bean stew again!”
It’s more versatile as a cooking ingredient than as a beverage.

Shiraae no Moto (Tofu Salad Base) — 270 yen
This comes pre-seasoned with miso and soy sauce, so you just toss it with your favorite vegetables and dinner is done.
I tasted it before mixing — it has that warm, nostalgic flavor of shiraae your grandma used to make.
It’s slightly sweet, so even picky kids who hate vegetables might give this one a chance!

Tofu Pickled in Moromi Miso — 650 yen
Okay, this one is the absolute champion.
It’s rich, creamy, and dense — almost like cream cheese.
Spread it over rice and you could eat bowl after bowl.
For sake or shochu drinkers, even a tiny taste pairs perfectly with a drink
(I’d love to be drinking right now too…)
It would also make an excellent souvenir gift! ♪

Okara (Soy Pulp) — 70 yen
Since I bought so many things, the shop kindly threw this in for me as a bonus! ♪
Great for making unohana (a traditional simmered side dish) or even healthy summer snacks for the kids ♪

The shop is conveniently located near Kumamoto Country Park and the Kita-Kumamoto Smart Interchange.
Whether you’re a tofu lover or a tofu skeptic, why not stop by and experience artisanal handmade tofu at its finest? ♫

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