Welcome to Kujira COFFEE

Hello travelers! This is Mido, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m taking you to Kujira COFFEE, a delightful little café tucked away in Ozu Town, Kikuchi District — the perfect pit stop for coffee lovers exploring Kumamoto.

Opened on April 30th by a husband-and-wife team who previously worked at the renowned Sarutahiko Coffee in Tokyo, this specialty coffee shop serves rich, thoughtfully brewed cups in a peaceful countryside setting. Strollers are welcome inside, and the terrace seating is dog-friendly too — ideal for traveling families and pet owners alike.

Located in the Tomaki area of Ozu Town, just before you reach the slopes of Mt. Aso when driving from Kumamoto City, Kujira COFFEE is surrounded by lush greenery that captures the essence of rural Kyushu.
Picture vibrant green rice paddies in the foreground and the deep emerald of distant mountains beyond.Convenient parking is available right in front of the shop.
The lot is spacious, with plenty of room between cars — easy even for visitors driving rental vehicles.
Here’s the storefront!
Walk through the inviting archway and you’ll be greeted by……the shop’s adorable whale logo. (Kujira means “whale” in Japanese!)

Inside, you’ll find a mix of table seating, counter seats, and an outdoor terrace.
The staff can also combine tables to accommodate larger groups — great for traveling parties.
Whether you choose a table or a counter seat, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

And here’s the dog-friendly terrace — perfect for sipping coffee with your four-legged travel companion.

Now let’s take a look at the menu.First up, the drink menu!

＜Hand-Drip Coffee (HOT/ICE)＞
・Sarutahiko French (Dark Roast)　540 yen
・Kujira Dark (Dark Roast)　460 yen
・Kujira Light (Medium Roast)　460 yen
・Rwanda (Medium Roast)　540 yen
・Brazil (Light Roast)　540 yen

＜Espresso Drinks＞
・Espresso (HOT)　460 yen
・Americano (HOT/ICE)　460 yen
・Café Latte (HOT/ICE)　560 yen

＜Signature Drinks＞
・Café Mocha (HOT/ICE)　600 yen
・Citrus Honey Latte (HOT/ICE)　600 yen
・Lemon & Coffee Squash (ICE)　600 yen
・Apple-Flavored Fresh Caramel Latte (HOT/ICE)　640 yen

・Hot Cocoa (HOT/ICE)　500 yen
・100% Mikan Orange Juice (Kumamoto-grown) (ICE)　380 yen
・Milk (HOT/ICE)　250 yen

Traveling with kids? The cocoa, mikan juice, and milk are 100 yen off for children up to junior high school age — a thoughtful touch for families.

Next, the food & sweets menu!

・Thick-Cut Toast
(Butter)　280 yen
(Cheese)　330 yen
(Anko Red Bean & Butter)　380 yen
・Egg & Dill Sandwich　480 yen
・Tuna Melt Hot Sandwich　580 yen
・Specialty Coffee Jelly　380 yen
・Homemade Milk Pudding　350 yen
・Sweet Potato Cheesecake　420 yen
Each hand-drip coffee is brewed using Sarutahiko Coffee’s signature original dripper — a true mark of craftsmanship.The shop’s house-roasted coffee beans are also available for purchase — a perfect Kumamoto souvenir.
You can grab one of those Sarutahiko original drippers too.
Drip bags are sold here as well, so you can recreate that café moment back home or in your hotel room.
The packaging design is gorgeous — they make wonderful gifts! Gift wrapping and gift boxes are also available upon request.

What I Recommended Ordering at Kujira COFFEE

Honestly, every menu item looked tempting!
The signature drinks all sounded amazing, but this time I went with a classic hand-drip coffee.

Here’s what I tried: the Hand-Drip Kujira Dark, the Egg & Dill Sandwich, and the Homemade Milk Pudding.
The mugs and plates used at Kujira COFFEE are handcrafted by Issen-gama, a pottery studio in Nagasu Town, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Their deep blue glaze is absolutely beautiful — it makes you happy before you even take the first sip.
First, a sip of the Hand-Drip Kujira Dark.
It’s classified as a dark roast, but leans toward the lighter side of dark — meaning you get distinct bitterness without any harshness, plus a remarkably clean finish. Truly delicious.

If you prefer a bolder, more aromatic cup, the staff recommend the Sarutahiko French, which uses a deeper-roasted bean.

Next, the Egg & Dill Sandwich.
The Japanese mustard and fresh dill add a bright, herby kick that elevates the whole bite — absolutely delicious!
And of course, coffee and bread are a match made in heaven. I’d order it again in a heartbeat.
And then the Homemade Milk Pudding.
The sweetness of the silky pudding and the rich caramel sauce melt together in your mouth — pure bliss.
You can really taste the egg in this one. Such a satisfying dessert!

With its warm, welcoming atmosphere, Kujira COFFEE is yet another wonderful coffee destination in Kumamoto. If you’re road-tripping toward Mt. Aso or just exploring rural Kyushu, definitely make time to stop by!

Follow us on Instagram for daily updates!
Sarukuma shares lunch spots, parks, indoor play areas, and family-friendly information from across Kumamoto.
Give us a follow! (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information current as of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.