cafe mariquita (Uto City, Matsuyama-machi): A Whimsical Hideaway Reopens with Storybook Charm
2024.05.13

A SaruKuma writer’s firsthand visit to cafe mariquita in Matsuyama-machi, Uto City. Price range: from ¥250. We’ve also covered family-friendly tips, access, and opening hours.
Introducing cafe mariquita
Hello travelers, this is Aikero, writer for SaruKuma!
Today I’m taking you to Matsuyama-machi in Uto City to visit
cafe mariquita.
The cafe had been closed for renovations for a while, and
when I heard it had reopened, I just had to go check it out!
To find it, head straight from Uto City shopping center in the direction of Matsubashi — you’ll spot the sign along the way.
The popular Machi Pan Lab Uto bakery is also nearby, perfect for a combined outing!♪

Before we dive in, there are a few important things to know:
・For safety reasons related to the cafe’s interior design, children aged 10 and under are not permitted to enter.
・Guests must be 11 years or older.
・Reservations are not accepted.
・Parking is limited, so please carpool with one car per table when possible.
★You can call ahead to check seat availability,
which I highly recommend before heading over!
Thanks for understanding!
Now, let’s take a look around♪
There are 3 parking spots right in front of the cafe
and 4 more across the road.
Each spot is marked with a block, so use these as your guide
and please avoid parking in the neighboring lots(^^)/
The staff will check on parking right when you walk in, so let them know where you parked.

Now, time to head inside♪
The seating used to be in the basement, but after the renovation, there’s now seating on the first floor!
Stepping inside feels like walking into a picture book…
Even more impressive — the owners designed and built the entire renovation themselves!
Look at this spot!
The curtains are billowing, and you almost expect a Disney princess to start singing from behind them!
(Doesn’t it feel like a scene from a fairy tale?)
The photo doesn’t quite capture it, but there’s actually a breeze blowing through!
Let’s take a look at the seating!
Other guests were seated, so I couldn’t snap a photo, but there’s another table in the back as well.
Watch your head!
A 6-person table
and a counter-style table.
Here’s a 4-person table.
It feels almost like a semi-private room!
Watch your head here too(^^)/
Here’s the view from inside.
The self-serve water is on top of this drawer.
This is another semi-private style seat.
And this one — you take your shoes off before stepping up, traditional Japanese style!
And here’s the cafe mariquita menu!
Harapeko-san (Hungry Lunch) ¥1,250
Beef Salad Rice Bowl ¥1,450
Add ¥200 for a drink and a small dessert set.
The menu itself is adorable — and how cute are these names?!
The Harapeko-san main dish changes from time to time, so there’s always something new to try♪
cafe mariquita Recommended Menu

Just look how pretty this is!!
If you love a meal with lots of little side dishes, this is heaven!
Loaded with vegetables, every bite was delicious,
and true to its “Harapeko-san” (Hungry) name — the portions are generous!
The dishware is varied too, so you’ll get different pieces every visit
or different ones from your dining companion — that’s part of the fun!
The little side dishes are packed into the cutest tiny bowls — so satisfying(●^o^●)
Check out the swan-shaped dish — and that little flag!
Quirky and adorable…
Chicken katsu (cutlet)!!
The combo of cheesy sauce, bonito flakes, and green onions was incredibly delicious(●^o^●)
Here’s the drink and small dessert set:
Chiffon cake and apple juice
The chiffon cake was so fluffy I wanted to use it as a pillow!
Getting this cake and a drink for just ¥200 extra is a steal, right?
Maybe it’s just me?
Whenever I come to mariquita, I always end up taking photos of the empty dishes after eating.
Reopened on April 30 and somehow even more charming than before — that’s cafe mariquita!
Come enjoy delicious food in this whimsical, healing space
and spend a heartwarming afternoon~(^^)/
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a recommended family-friendly spot in Matsuyama-machi, Uto City?
cafe mariquita is a popular spot in Matsuyama-machi, Uto City. Please note: only children aged 11 and older are permitted. See this article for full details.
What are cafe mariquita’s opening hours and closed days?
The latest opening hours and closed days are subject to change. Please check the official website or call ahead before your visit.
※Information is current as of the time of the visit. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.
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Article Writer
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Sarukuma Editorial
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 — honest, practical, and made by people who actually live here.
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