Introducing Oshokujidokoro Himawari

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

Today I’m excited to introduce Oshokujidokoro Himawari, a brand-new soba restaurant located in Tomiai-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City.
Freshly opened on November 1, 2025!
The owner is a former professional chef who hand-makes traditional Japanese soba noodles right on-site.
The menu features fantastic soba-and-donburi (rice bowl) sets, all at surprisingly reasonable prices.
With a dedicated kids’ menu and a welcoming atmosphere, this spot is perfect for families traveling with children. (^^)/
The restaurant sits along Ukiuki Road, a familiar stretch for locals.
This location was previously home to Gokuu, a tsukemen shop we’ve featured before, which has now relocated.
Note that the linked Gokuu article reflects info from before its move, but it’s a great read for context.

[Relocated] Gokuu in Tomiai, Minami-ku, Kumamoto — A Hidden Tsukemen Gem That Reopened Despite the Owner’s Health Challenges

Parking is available right in front of the shop,
and there’s also a gravel lot for additional parking.
With plenty of spaces, you don’t have to worry about finding a spot — even if you’re driving in from out of town. ♪
Strollers are welcome inside, but please note that there are a few steps at the entrance, so be careful when entering.
Just inside the entrance, you’ll find seating where you can comfortably wait for a table.
Tables are spaced generously apart, making it easy to navigate with a stroller.
There are two high chairs available for kids.
If your little one isn’t able to sit independently yet, using your stroller is a good option.
There’s also counter seating, perfect for solo travelers looking for a relaxed bite.
Now, let’s take a look at the menu!

・Kakuni-don (braised pork rice bowl) Set: 1,265 yen
・Tendon (tempura rice bowl) Set: 1,210 yen
・Oyakodon (chicken & egg rice bowl) Set: 980 yen
・Katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl) Set: 1,210 yen
・Daily Service Set: 990 yen
・Extra-large noodles or rice: +110 yen

Wait — did you see those prices?
A full soba-and-rice-bowl set at this price is almost unbelievable!
According to the owner, the donburi portions aren’t “mini” — they’re standard large servings of rice.
Plus, the soba portion comes in at 140g of fresh noodles — more than the typical serving size — so even hungry travelers will leave fully satisfied.
It’s also great for sharing with kids! ♪

The owner’s personal recommendation is the Kakuni-don Set, generously topped with melt-in-your-mouth braised pork. Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ
On the day we visited, the Daily Service Set featured curry and soba!
Getting all that for under 1,000 yen is an incredible deal.
There’s a wide variety of soba dishes too — here’s a quick taste of the menu!

〈Hot Soba〉
・Kake Soba (plain hot soba): 693 yen
・Ebi Tempura Soba (shrimp tempura): 968 yen
・Tsukimi Soba (with egg): 803 yen
・Buta Negi Soba (pork & green onion): 968 yen

〈Cold Soba〉
・Mori Soba (classic cold soba): 693 yen
・Ten Mori (with tempura): 1,100 yen
・Buta Tsuke Soba (pork dipping soba): 968 yen
・Tori Nanban Soba (chicken nanban): 935 yen

・Extra-large noodles: +110 yen

You’ll also find tendon, kakuni-don, plus single-plate dishes like karaage (Japanese fried chicken) and fries. ♪

The owner is a former professional chef!
He loves soba so much that he hand-makes it not just at work, but at home too.
Knowing that level of dedication makes every bite even more exciting!
There’s also a children’s menu — a huge plus for families!

・Kids’ Udon: 330 yen
・Kids’ Set: 550 yen

★ Udon is available for children only
★ Please note: udon is prepared using the same equipment as the soba (so it may contain traces of buckwheat).

You’re welcome to bring your own baby food, and the staff will happily provide hot water on request.
This is fantastic news for families with babies or kids who haven’t tried buckwheat yet.
There’s a self-serve corner with cold water and complimentary soba-cha (buckwheat tea) — help yourself!
The restroom even comes equipped with a simple diaper-changing station!
You’ll need to keep the door open while using it, but this kind of thoughtful touch really matters for parents traveling with little ones.
The sign “Please feel free to ask if you need any assistance” is so warm and welcoming.
You can really feel the kindness of the staff here.

Recommended Menu Items at Oshokujidokoro Himawari

After all that excitement, my soba finally arrived! ♪
I’d planned to order the owner’s recommended Kakuni-don Set, but I got a little intimidated by the volume and went with the Buta Tsuke Soba (cold pork dipping soba) instead… lol
Knowing me, I probably could’ve handled the full set just fine, though.
The slightly pale-colored soba is made from a 6:4 blend of domestic Japanese buckwheat flour and wheat flour.
The owner’s hand-cut noodles have a wonderful firm chew yet smooth texture, sliding effortlessly down with each bite. ♪
A sweet-savory dipping broth packed with tender pork and fresh green onions!
Pair that with handmade soba — there’s just no way this combo could be anything but delicious!

I’d been warned the portion was a bit larger than usual, but I couldn’t stop my chopsticks — before I knew it, the bowl was empty.
Yep, I definitely could’ve handled the Kakuni-don Set after all (^○^) lol
Tenkasu (tempura crumbs), soba-yu (the hot water used to cook the noodles), and other flavor add-ons are available — just ask the staff and they’ll bring them to you.
So I asked for some soba-yu!
Pour this…

…into here! (A traditional Japanese way to enjoy the meal — it’s a must-try!)

The dipping broth was so flavorful.
I’d thought it was a touch on the strong side, but mixing it with soba-yu balanced it out perfectly, and I happily savored every last drop!
Around this point, my stomach started signaling, “Hey, you do realize you’re pretty full, right?”

Yep, even just the soba alone was more than enough to fill me up (^○^) lol

I made a promise to myself that I’d come back with the family and tackle the Kakuni-don Set next time.
To finish the meal, I had a cup of soba-cha.
Warm, fragrant, and deeply soothing — it warmed me from the inside out.

The Ukiuki Road area, where this restaurant is located, is fairly quiet — most local restaurants are clustered along Route 3, and there are no other soba shops nearby.
Having such an affordable family-friendly spot in the neighborhood is a real gift!
If you’re traveling through Kumamoto’s Minami-ku area, definitely add this one to your list!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information is accurate as of the time of our visit. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.