Welcome to Hibikoujiya

Hello, travelers! I’m Mido, a writer for [Sarukuma].

Today I’m taking you to Kikuyo-machi Harumizu to visit
Hibikoujiya (日々麹舎) — a must-stop for anyone curious about authentic Japanese fermentation culture.

This brand-new facility was opened on April 26 by Yamauchi Honten, a miso and soy sauce brewery established in 1751 (the first year of the Horeki era) — that’s over 270 years of craftsmanship!
It’s not just a shop selling miso and soy sauce — you can also enjoy traditional Japanese rice balls (onigiri), Kumamoto’s famous dago-jiru (a hearty miso soup with hand-pulled dumplings), and unique miso-based Japanese sweets♪
They even offer factory tours and miso-making classes — definitely worth checking out!

The building itself has such a stylish, traditional vibe!
Here are the opening hours!

I came around 12:30 PM for lunch and got lucky — no waiting! That said, on busy days the wait can stretch to an hour, so plan accordingly. (Note: lunch reservations are not accepted.)

The first floor is the retail space for miso, soy sauce, and other products, while the dining area is on the second floor. To dine in, you order downstairs first.
Just fill out the order sheet to place your order.
When you walk in, the friendly staff explain how to order and share their recommendations.

＜The Tempting Menu＞
＜Set Menus＞
・Gochiso Dago-jiru with 1 Onigiri Set — 850 yen (935 yen incl. tax)
・Gochiso Dago-jiru with 2 Onigiri Set — 1,050 yen (1,155 yen incl. tax)
・Hibikoujiya Gochiso Set Meal — 1,500 yen (1,650 yen incl. tax)
※Includes 2 onigiri, dago-jiru, 2 miso-marinated fried chicken pieces, thick-rolled omelet, and shio-koji pickles
・Gochiso Dago-jiru with 1 Onigiri Satisfaction Set — 1,100 yen (1,210 yen incl. tax)
※Includes 1 onigiri, dago-jiru, 1 miso-marinated fried chicken piece, thick-rolled omelet, and shio-koji pickles

You can choose your dago-jiru miso from three varieties:
・Awase Miso: “Maboroshi” raw rice & barley blend
・White Miso: Young white miso, rice & barley blend
・Red Miso: Aged red rice miso

The onigiri menu is so extensive it’s hard to choose…
Both onigiri and dago-jiru can also be ordered à la carte!
This is super handy for families — you can adjust portions to your kids’ appetites♪

The “Kumamon Dekyaa Onigiri” pictured here weighs an astonishing 2 kg — yes, you read that right!

The regular “Kumamon Onigiri” comes in tuna mayo and salmon — sure to win over any little one♪
＜Miso Brewery’s Japanese Sweets＞
・Jersey Milk Soft Serve — 390 yen (incl. tax)
・Yamauchi Soy Sauce Soft Serve — 390 yen (incl. tax)
・Jersey & Soy Sauce Mix Soft Serve — 390 yen (incl. tax)
・Yamauchi Soy Sauce Mitarashi Dango Soft Serve — 480 yen (incl. tax)
・Maboroshi Miso Soft Serve — 500 yen (incl. tax)

・Amazake Shake — 400 yen (incl. tax)
・Amazake Shake (Strawberry) — 400 yen (incl. tax)
・Amazake Shake (Purple Sweet Potato) — 400 yen (incl. tax)

The perfect treats for the hot season ahead.
The “Maboroshi Miso Soft Serve” — what an unforgettable flavor combination!

A whole lineup of takeout onigiri! And behind them, you can spot the traditional hagama (cast iron rice pots)!
They use Kumamoto-grown rice cooked in hagama, salt from Amakusa, and nori seaweed from the Ariake Sea — every ingredient carefully chosen.
The luxurious “Zeitaku-maki” comes topped with sea urchin (uni) and salmon roe (ikura)!
You’ll also find onigiri made with Kumamoto’s famous akaushi (red wagyu beef) and basashi (horse meat)!
So many varieties to choose from! The actual “Kumamon Onigiri” is just as adorable in real life!
There’s even a simple “Amakusa Salt Onigiri” — perfect for kids who like their rice balls plain and pure!
They also sell rolled omelets and karaage (Japanese fried chicken) separately!
After ordering and paying on the first floor, head upstairs to the dining area and wait for your meal.
Take the staircase to the second floor.
When your buzzer rings, head back down to collect your food.
Families — don’t hesitate to ask the staff for help carrying things up!
Strollers are also welcome inside the shop.

Here’s a peek at the upstairs seating!
The center table is a low-height style — great for casual relaxed dining. The high ceilings make the space feel wonderfully open and airy!
The restrooms are on the first floor, but there’s a hand-washing station upstairs as well. They even have kids’ high chairs! Water and tea are self-service.Children’s tableware is conveniently set out in this corner too.

Let me also show you a bit of the first-floor shop!A wide variety of miso is on offer.There’s even a miso-by-weight section where you can buy artisanal miso by the gram.
Beyond miso and soy sauce, they sell dashi stock, miso soup ingredients, and so much more. The gift section is impressively stocked — perfect for souvenirs!
Here you’ll find amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) in 7 varieties! They also sell the miso-pickled daikon radish and fresh dumplings used in the dago-jiru, so you can recreate the meal at home.
The freezer section has dinner-ready treats and snacks like miso-marinated pork loin, simmered pork hormone, miso-marinated sea bream, and much more.
There’s even a “Maboroshi Miso Gyoza” that caught my eye♪
There are honestly too many products to list here.
Free tasting samples are available too — a great chance to discover your favorite flavor!
Various cashless payment options are accepted — convenient for international visitors!

《About the Factory Tour》
Tours run on weekdays only, twice a day (① 10:00 AM, ② 2:00 PM).
The tour takes about 30 minutes.

There’s no age restriction, but please note that there are large fermentation tanks on site, so children must be supervised closely.
If you bring kids, please hold their hands at all times during the tour for safety.

They also occasionally hold Handmade Miso Workshops — if you’re interested, follow their Instagram for the latest updates!

Recommended Menu at Hibikoujiya

I ordered the Gochiso Dago-jiru with 1 Onigiri Satisfaction Set!
For my onigiri, I picked the recommended “Akaushi Beef Soboro,” and for my dago-jiru miso, I went with the recommended “Maboroshi raw rice & barley blend.”

Ta-da! Steam rises from the dago-jiru, and the onigiri and side dishes all look mouthwatering!

While it’s hot, I dive into the dago-jiru first.
The smooth, slippery dumplings are absolutely delicious!
Big chunks of sweet potato make it incredibly satisfying!
It was a chilly rainy day when I visited, and this warmed me up beautifully♪
And now, the onigiri!! Look at that glossy nori! I thought the filling was just on top — but no, it’s tucked inside too!
From the first bite to the last, every mouthful is bursting with flavor. Truly an outstanding onigiri.
The rolled omelet is infused with rich dashi — I could’ve eaten plate after plate of it♪The karaage was juicy and tender — absolutely delicious!
Even the simple pickled vegetables on the side were exceptional.
I left feeling completely, utterly satisfied♪
Next time, I want to try a different miso flavor and a different onigiri!

The hot summer days are coming, but funnily enough, our bodies often get cold inside during the season. A bowl of miso brewery dago-jiru paired with a hand-rolled onigiri is the perfect way to warm up from the inside out!
This combination is unbeatable!

Takeout is available too — what a lovely way to enjoy lunch at home or at your hotel♪♪ Don’t miss this gem on your trip to Kumamoto!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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