Welcome to Kouso Genmai To.

Hello, fellow travelers!

I’m Kurubushi, a Sarukuma writer with a serious love for good food.

Today I’m introducing a brand-new spot that grand-opened on February 20, 2024 in the hot spring district of Rissho-ji, Tamana City —
Kouso Genmai To.

Have you ever heard of “kouso genmai” (fermented enzyme brown rice)?

Health enthusiasts may already know all about it, but for many visitors, this Japanese superfood is something completely new and exciting to discover.

The “Nagaoka-style enzyme brown rice” served here is made by combining organic brown rice with adzuki beans and salt, cooking it carefully in a special pressure cooker following strict guidelines, and then fermenting it in a dedicated 73°C warming pot for at least three days.

It’s not the kind of dish you’ll find at any supermarket — which makes finding a restaurant in Kumamoto Prefecture that specializes in it all the more special.

The shop is easy to spot, with bright banners flying outside its glass-fronted facade right at an intersection along Route 165.

Parking for Kouso Genmai To. is located behind the building — just follow the small lane next to the shop. There’s space for about 5 to 6 cars.

Step inside Kouso Genmai To. and you’ll be greeted by an impressive lineup of warming pots — a striking sight that hints at the patience behind every grain of rice. Since the rice ferments for over three days, this many pots are essential to keep things flowing.

Behind the counter, a friendly staff member was busy mixing the rice when I visited.

The interior features three tables that seat four guests each.

There’s also counter seating.

Since I visited the day after the grand opening, this corner was still decorated with celebratory flowers — but it will eventually be used as a traditional Japanese tatami seating area.

Restrooms are located at the back of the shop.

Please note that there are no diaper-changing stations or nursing rooms available.

Good news for cashless travelers — PayPay and LINE Pay are accepted! ♪

Here’s the menu!

The signature dish is the Enzyme Brown Rice & Miso Soup Set for 600 yen.

You can swap the rice bowl for an onigiri (rice ball) and pick from a tasty selection of fillings:

additive-free mentaiko (spicy cod roe), takana mentaiko, nuka-cooked mackerel,
additive-free kimchi, additive-free takana (pickled mustard greens),
shonshon (fermented chili paste), freshly shaved katsuobushi (bonito flakes), and umeboshi (pickled plum).

Every option sounds amazing!

The menu is simple but every choice promises real flavor.

I went with my little BOSS (my son), and even though plain onigiri wasn’t on the menu, the staff happily prepared one for him.

《Drink Menu》
Organic Coffee
Rice Milk Café au Lait
Organic Rooibos Tea
Organic Tea

《Desserts》
Ohagi (sweet rice ball with homemade sweet bean paste using enzyme brown rice)
Brownie made with enzyme brown rice

That’s the full lineup.

Kouso Genmai To. also sells a curated selection of body-friendly health foods to take home ♪

Recommended Menu at Kouso Genmai To.

Ta-da! Here it comes —
an enzyme brown rice onigiri wrapped in nori seaweed, served alongside warm miso soup and a small side dish.

From the moment it arrived, my BOSS could barely sit still.
(He’s in his “terrible twos” phase and wouldn’t sit on the chair, so apologies for the standing-up dining! He kept asking for bites — “hurry, hurry!” — so I gave him a chopstick-sized taste.

“Yummy! Yummy!” he cheered, sinking his teeth into the rice ball ♪

Brown rice usually has a reputation for being dry and tough, but enzyme brown rice is fermented, giving it a wonderfully chewy, mochi-like texture similar to traditional Japanese sekihan (red bean rice).

Each onigiri is made with 150g of enzyme brown rice — and my BOSS practically devoured the whole thing.

Apparently, children under three are instinctively drawn to enzyme brown rice (or so I’ve been told).

Whether or not that’s scientifically true, my son has been eating this rice since he was just over a year old, and he absolutely loves it. (My 4-year-old, on the other hand, won’t touch it — go figure!)

And the miso soup?

Oh, it’s incredible! So warming and soul-soothing!
Moms out there, when’s the last time you actually savored a bowl of miso soup?

For me, it’s been ages — usually I’m shoveling rice into my mouth and washing it down with soup.

Taking a slow, peaceful moment to enjoy gentle, umami-rich enzyme brown rice paired with miso soup is truly a special experience.

The enzyme brown rice is also sold by weight at 150 yen per 100g, so I happily took home 500g for my son who was eager for more!

You can bring your own container for takeaway — the staff will fill it for you, which is great for the environment.
(If you don’t have one, the shop has containers available too.)

Time for dessert — the enzyme brown rice ohagi!

Amazingly, the sweet bean paste contains no refined sugar.
Instead, it’s sweetened with date syrup.

The subtle saltiness of the enzyme brown rice, the gentle sweetness of the date syrup, and the delicate aroma of dates wafting through your nose — it all comes together in perfect balance.

This is a truly guilt-free dessert that’s irresistibly delicious.

While the shop doesn’t provide special children’s tableware, the staff are wonderfully attentive — they regularly checked in to ask if we needed extra plates or anything else.

It’s a great spot for families, but it’s also the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a peaceful, mindful meal on your own ♪

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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 check before visiting.