Introducing Shia Gohan INAHO

Hello travelers! This is Aikero, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a hidden gem in Matsubase-machi, Uki City:
【Shia Gohan INAHO】
A charming farmer’s cafe run by an active local farmer who serves up generous portions of fresh, seasonal vegetables! I had heard about this place for a while, but this was my very first visit.

The sheer volume of vegetables is incredible!
And despite the simple seasoning that lets the natural flavors shine, the food is so delicious you’ll find yourself eating bowl after bowl.
It instantly became one of my favorite spots — I can’t wait to go back! (^^)The cafe sits roughly halfway along the road connecting Kagami Line and Shiranui Line.
From Kagami Line, look for the Uki Wide-Area Fire Department.
From Shiranui Line, turn at the traffic light right under the Shinkansen overpass — you’ll arrive in moments.

Watch for the pink flag and the distinctive container-house exterior in the photo.
Parking is available on both sides of the cafe.
There’s room for around 7–8 cars.
The interior is cozy rather than spacious, so larger groups may want to carpool.
Here’s a peek inside.
Strollers can fit, but space is limited — I’d recommend booking ahead and letting the staff know in advance if you’re bringing one.
Shia Gohan INAHO doubles as a farm stand!
Alongside the vegetables used in their cafe dishes, you’ll find fresh produce, fruit, and rice-flour cookies brought in directly by local farmers.
Prices are very reasonable, and you’re welcome to shop without dining.
Some lunch guests even pick out vegetables first, set them on their table, and shop while they eat (^^)
There’s also a small selection of clothing, accessories, and other gift goods.
Right by the entrance, you’ll spot a goldfish bowl.
The charming little goldfish puffing their mouths are surprisingly soothing — a sweet welcome to the cafe.
The menu changes daily, but generally features just two lunch options: the Course Lunch and the Shiamusu Lunch.
From 3:00 p.m., the cafe transitions to cafe time.

● Course Lunch — 1,650 yen
・Appetizers
・Potage Gratin
・Inaba Farm Baby Greens & Roasted Vegetable Salad
・Today’s Main Dish
・Soup of the Day
・Rice (Hinohikari, home-grown by Nakadomo Farm)
・Drink (coffee, tea, apple juice, or orange juice)

● Shiamusu Lunch — 1,300 yen 〈Tuesdays & Thursdays only〉
・Shiamusu rice ball (daily special)
・Soup of the Day
・Inaba Farm Baby Greens & Roasted Vegetable Salad
・Drink (coffee, tea, apple juice, or orange juice)

● Set Dessert — +165 yen and up
・Affogato (with INAHO espresso)
・Vanilla Ice Cream (with house-made jam)
・Daily Special (limited quantities)
★ Reservation Notes
・Reservations are accepted only for 11:00 or 13:00 (12:00 and 11:30 are not available)
・Book by phone or via Shia Gohan INAHO’s Instagram DM
・11:00–14:00 is lunch service; please book in advance for any time other than same-day
・11:00 guests are kindly asked to vacate by 13:00
・13:00 guests are kindly asked to vacate by 15:00
・Groups of 3 are seated side-by-side; groups of 5 share a 4-person table
・During busy farming seasons, hours may change — please check Instagram beforehand

Recommended Menu at Shia Gohan INAHO

Since it’s a course meal, let me walk you through it from the appetizers (^^)/

From left to right:
house-made chicken ham, marinated tomatoes, and Korean-style namul with salad shungiku (chrysanthemum greens).

The chicken ham is moist and tender, the marinated tomatoes refreshingly bright.
The delicate shungiku has a wonderful aroma, and the sesame oil and salt in the namul beautifully accent its subtle bitterness and earthy flavor!
Lotus Root and Sweet Potato Potage Gratin.
It has the silky thickness of a potage soup.
The creamy, milky body and natural vegetable sweetness are gorgeous — I only realized it was a gratin when I spotted the penne pasta inside! lol
Would be amazing dipped with bread, and would be a fantastic kid-friendly way to sneak in extra vegetables at home!
Soup of the Day.
A hearty “vegetable-eating” soup loaded with root vegetables and leafy greens.
This day’s broth tasted like consommé — warming and lovely ♡
Ta-da!
For the main dish, you can choose between lotus root hamburg steak and yurinchi (Chinese-style fried chicken).
The lotus root hamburg appears to be the standing option, with the second choice rotating.
The salad is so generous it makes the lotus root hamburg steak look small in comparison! lol
A towering, beautifully colorful, body-loving feast of vegetables!

Just in front of the lotus root, you’ll see the house-made yuzu salt.
The yuzu’s citrus notes pair perfectly with the natural flavors of the vegetables — if they sold this yuzu salt, I’d buy it in a heartbeat…!
Lotus root hamburg steak with delightful crunchy lotus root pieces inside.
During the Tuesday and Thursday Shiamusu Lunch, you can also choose this as your rice ball filling ♪
Nakadomo Farm rice!
Naturally sweet and a perfect partner for the hamburg steak — so good!!
Even though it was mostly vegetables, somehow you leave feeling delightfully full. Magic.
Set desserts starting at just +165 yen — what a steal!
I splurged a little and chose the Strawberry Parfait of the Day for +450 yen.
Granola, vanilla ice cream, and mountains of fresh strawberries!

The parfait uses Misumi-grown strawberries from the owner’s relatives — a true family-farm connection.
Apparently they’ll be switching to mango soon…!
For +450 yen, this much fruit is honestly incredible value!

About Shia Gohan INAHO

The “Shia” in Shia Gohan INAHO comes from the first letters of the owner’s name, Aoi Shitomi (Shi + A).
“INAHO” (rice ear) reflects her wish to remain humble, like a ripe rice plant that bows its head.
I had assumed “shia” meant “shiawase” (happiness)! And honestly — this food really does fill you with happiness Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ
Owner Aoi is an active farmer herself, and opening this farmer’s cafe wasn’t easy — her family was initially against the idea.
But over several years, she gained experience and credentials, studied the food business, and built relationships with fellow farmers — all leading to the long-awaited opening of this cafe.The farm-stand area features the same locally grown produce used in the lunch menu — vegetables from local farms in Uki and across Kumamoto Prefecture.
Selections rotate, so if something catches your eye, grab it while you can.“I want everyone to enjoy plenty of fresh vegetables.”
A producer’s insider knowledge of the very best way to enjoy each vegetable, paired with truly fresh produce in peak condition —
you get both at Shia Gohan INAHO.

It’s not strictly reservation-only, but on the day of our visit, both 11:00 and 13:00 slots were fully booked.
Walk-ins are sometimes possible, but I’d strongly recommend reserving ahead just in case.
Seating updates are also occasionally posted on Instagram Stories — worth checking before you head over!
Do give it a try (^^)/

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Frequently Asked Questions

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