Introducing CHAMELEÓN donuts

Hello travelers! I’m Aikero, a writer for Sarukuma, your Kumamoto guide.

Kumamoto’s donut craze just won’t stop!
A recent TV program announced that Japan is now in its “5th wave of the donut boom” — and it’s not just here in Kumamoto, it’s nationwide!
I’ve already visited three different donut shops across the prefecture this year alone, and every single one has its own unique charm. I never get tired of them!
At the end of this article, I’ll share a list of other donut shops we’ve covered — perfect for a Kumamoto donut tasting tour!

Today’s spotlight is on a brand-new shop in Kikuyo Town, Kikuchi District:
CHAMELEÓN donuts

This gem opened its doors in December!
Among locals in the know, this is THE hottest donut shop — expect a line! I’d been following them on Instagram even before they opened, and I finally got the chance to visit and report back.

The shop sits about 5 minutes from Yume Town Hikari-no-Mori, Nama Cheese Softcream NICORI, and Kome no Ate Sumika — making it easy to combine into a foodie loop.

Nama Cheese Softcream NICORI (Koshi City, Ikutomi) — Kumamoto’s first fresh cheese soft serve and crispy fried sandwiches near Hikari-no-Mori!

Kome no Ate Sumika (Koshi City, Ikutomi) — December newcomer near Hikari-no-Mori with set meals, udon, curry, and morning sets served until lunch!

There are 2 parking spots right in front of the shop.
Please do NOT park at the neighboring dry cleaner or in the side alleys — it causes trouble for nearby residents and businesses.
The street in front of the shop has a fair amount of traffic, so be especially careful if you’re traveling with kids.
There’s also a 5-spot parking area called Araki Musashigaoka Parking, just a 1-minute walk away — perfect overflow when the front lot is full.

Coming from the Musashigaoka Elementary School direction, drive past the shop and continue straight. Look for the orange-colored road as your landmark.The pink signboard is also a clear giveaway — easy to spot!
The shop is on the far end, by the stone wall.Look for the shop’s logo on the building so you don’t miss it!
Since it’s so popular that lines form regularly, carpooling is a great idea if you’re visiting in a group.

For the most accurate parking info, the shop posts photos on their Instagram highlights — worth a look before you head over.
I arrived around 10:20 AM on a weekday — I was first in line!

The next customer was a local resident who chatted with me:
“My shift starts in the afternoon today. People kept recommending this place, and I’d always seen the line, so I figured I’d finally stop by! It’s a hot topic — I want to grab some as a gift, too.”

The crowd skewed young, but locals and passing drivers were clearly curious too!

After 10:30 AM, the line steadily grew, and by the time I left, about 10 groups were waiting. On busy days, lines can form even before 10:30 AM. The staff may guide you, but customers line up along the wall (not perpendicular to the door).Stepping inside feels like entering an art gallery!
The display is gorgeously stylish — sleek, minimalist interiors making the colorful donuts shine like jewels!
The one that caught my eye even before I went in:
Framboise — 346 yen

That glossy raspberry glaze is pure perfection!These donuts are so cute you’ll want to take them home as decoration.
White Chocolate — 302 yen

Notice the price card says “Cha donuts” — that’s because the shop uses different doughs depending on the donut!

The other dough varieties include the classic “CHAMELEON donuts” and the indulgent “Rich donuts.” Be sure to check which dough each flavor uses!
When I visited, they were also offering a cocoa-dough donut filled with custard cream!
The staff’s top pick:
Setouchi Green Lemon — 302 yen

“We always try to use seasonal ingredients, so right now we’re featuring green lemons from Hiroshima!”
Green lemons are exclusively domestic in Japan and have an unbeatable fresh aroma — I’m a huge fan!
Of course, they also have classic flavors:
Cinnamon Sugar — 281 yen
Glazed — 238 yen

The shop currently rotates customer-requested flavors and best-sellers. There are 50 varieties total, and a gluten-free donut is currently in development! CHAMELEÓN donuts is constantly evolving — keep your eye on this one!

A few quick tips about the shop:
• Entry: The staff invites customers in two groups at a time.
• Reservations: Currently no holds available, but they plan to introduce this in the future.
• Purchase limits: None.
• Pickup: After paying, you’ll receive a number ticket and exchange it for your boxed donuts at the back.
• Stock: They restock during the day so customers in line can still buy donuts, but for the widest selection, come early!
Before I knew it, my box was overflowing — dangerous!

About the name CHAMELEÓN donuts:

“Chameleons change color and transform with their environment. In the same way, our donuts change — different doughs, different toppings, different ingredients. It’s a bit tricky to explain, but the idea is donuts that transform like chameleons.”

What a charming concept! It’s so fun discovering each new dough and topping combination.

“We searched for the right location for a long time. This spot is close to the elementary school, and we want to be a part of the community.”

True to that vision, many customers walk in from the neighborhood, and the shop is already deeply loved by locals.

CHAMELEÓN donuts Recommended Menu

The Setouchi Green Lemon donut has the most divine fragrance and a bright, tangy sweetness! A must-try for lemon lovers.

The dough and glaze are surprisingly low in sweetness. What truly amazed me: even though it’s deep-fried, you don’t feel any oiliness at all!
The chewy dough is also wonderfully fluffy. Close your eyes while eating, and it almost feels like a soft bread — a delightfully unique donut experience!I picked up a Double Chocolate for my daughter.

She started with “Sooo good!” — but suddenly switched to “Wait, this is weird!”
The chocolate coating is mildly sweet, but the chocolate chunks on top taste like 90% dark cacao!

I personally love high-cacao chocolate, but for my daughter expecting sweet milk chocolate, it was a little too grown-up. If you’re buying the Double Chocolate for kids, you might want to give the chocolate chunks to the adults!
The dough, toppings, and cream are all gently sweet, making these donuts dangerously easy to eat one after another!

While most sweet donuts call for a black coffee, these pair beautifully with a café au lait.
The “Cha donuts” dough uses Kyoto-grown Uji matcha and Japanese brown sugar (kokuto)! From the outside it’s hard to tell, but inside the dough has a beautiful jade-green hue.

The matcha aroma stands strong even against the kinako (roasted soybean flour) coating — this isn’t just another kinako donut, it’s a true Japanese-style donut experience!The box has a stylish gold logo that gives it a luxurious feel — perfect as a gift or souvenir! CHAMELEÓN donuts also has 4 mascot characters, and the cute stickers are an adorable touch.

CHAMELEÓN donuts is absolutely worth waiting in line for! Each visit is a new surprise — these chameleon-like donuts truly transform every time. Keep an eye out for what’s next!

Finally, here’s a roundup of other Kumamoto donut shops we’ve covered:

◆ NEWPORT COFFEE and DONUT (Nishikokai-machi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City)

NEWPORT COFFEE and DONUT — Gentle, ingredient-focused gluten-free donuts in central Kumamoto City!

◆ H donuts (Mashiki Town, Kamimashiki District)

H donuts — A 30-second shelf life?! A meltingly soft donut experience in Mashiki Town!

◆ Sugary Donuts & Wishbone (Suya, Koshi City)

Sugary Donuts & Wishbone — The famous fluffy raw donuts relocated and reopened in June!

◆ Otete no Oyatsu (Hotakubo, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City)

Otete no Oyatsu — Donuts and night ice cream open until 11 PM, opened December 20!

◆ bb natural donut (Nagata, Kikuchi City)

bb natural donut — Wholesome donuts safe enough to share with kids!

◆ JUGAAD BROS DOUGHNUTS (Yamato Town, Kamimashiki District)

JUGAAD BROS DOUGHNUTS — Spiced vegan donuts that opened July 16, 2022!

◆ kiki stand (Shimizu Honmachi, Kita Ward, Kumamoto City)

kiki stand — Opened 9/9: Adorably cute and fluffy donuts with gentle flavors!

◆ MARUGO DONUTS (Kurokawa, Aso City)

MARUGO DONUTS — Reopened 3/31 in Aso, with attention to every detail from shop design to product!

◆ Restaurants about a 5-minute drive from CHAMELEÓN donuts

Nama Cheese Softcream NICORI (Koshi City, Ikutomi) — Kumamoto’s first fresh cheese soft serve and crispy fried sandwiches near Hikari-no-Mori!

Kome no Ate Sumika (Koshi City, Ikutomi) — December newcomer near Hikari-no-Mori with set meals, udon, curry, and morning sets served until lunch!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.