Introducing Kurukuru Cafe

Hello travelers! This is Aikero, a Sarukuma writer who recently joined the influenza trend (the whole family came down with it).

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Kurukuru Cafe, located in Shinme-machi, Uto City.
【Kurukuru Cafe】
Just a 4-minute drive from Uto City Mall, the building doesn’t immediately scream “cafe” — you might wonder if it’s really a shop at first glance.
In fact, this place was once an elderly care facility, now beautifully reborn as a cafe with an attached childcare support center.

The interior has no steps and includes traditional tatami seating, with bright, friendly staff to welcome you.
The menu uses seasonal ingredients with a focus on minimizing additives.
With options like baby food, udon noodles, apple juice, and milk, it’s a paradise for families with kids!
The cafe was born from a deep desire to make Uto a better place to raise children.
Look for this signboard at the entrance.
The parking lot is spacious and easy to use.
Easy parking really lowers the barrier to a relaxed visit.
Outside, there’s even a photo spot.
9,696 likes (kuru-kuru in Japanese wordplay)!
I’m intrigued by the “Master’s One-of-a-Kind Soft Serve” too (*’ω’*)
Behind the cafe, you’ll find a play area…
and even a real pony!
Eating at the cafe and then playing outside or meeting animals — what could be better?
The play equipment is generously provided thanks to the kindness of the landowner.
Let’s all use it with care and gratitude.
As is customary in Japan, you’ll remove your shoes upon entry.
With no steps anywhere, parents holding babies or guiding little ones can move around easily.
Beyond table seating, there’s a traditional tatami room.
The tables are spacious and well-spaced — a real blessing for families with lots of gear!
Of course, child seats are available too.
A handwashing station sits right in the center of the cafe.
The restroom next to the handwashing area features kids’ slippers and child-sized toilet seats.
It’s spacious enough for parents and children together.
The restroom by the entrance has a baby diaper-changing station.
Next to the register, there’s a corner selling Japanese deli-style side dishes (osozai).
Play at the support center, lunch at the cafe, and grab dinner deli-to-go — the perfect day!
Locally grown pesticide-free herbal tea from Uto.
It’s also on the drink menu.
This room will eventually be transformed into a coworking space.

Water is self-service.
They provide kids’ tableware, table cloths, and tissues — every detail is thoughtfully covered!
Here’s a look at the menu.

・Brown Rice Bagel Lunch — 1,200 yen
・Weekly Special Lunch — 1,200 yen
・Napolitan Pasta — 800 yen
・Taco Rice — 800 yen
・Daily Hot Sandwich — 350 yen

・Kids’ Lunch — 750 yen
・Kids’ Udon — 350 yen
・Baby Food (mid-stage) — 500 yen

Kids’ udon and baby food on the menu? They really understand parents’ needs!
And the prices are wonderfully reasonable.
・Hand-Drip Coffee — 500 yen
・Coffee — 300 yen
・Cafe Latte — 400 yen
・Apple Juice — 200 yen
・Milk — 200 yen
・Herbal Tea — from 350 yen

・Apple Soft Serve Sundae — 650 yen
・Soft Serve Ice Cream (various) — from 380 yen
・Mini Soft Serve (various) — from 230 yen
・Cheesecake — 500 yen

The fact that milk is on the menu just for kids is so heartwarming.
The soft serve comes in flavors beyond plain milk — a fun surprise to discover when you visit!

Recommended Menu Items at Kurukuru Cafe

From front to back: taco rice, bagel sandwich, and the weekly special plate.
All generously loaded with vegetables — yum!
The bagel sandwich is layered with house-made ham.
Both the brown rice bagel and ham are crafted in-house — true homemade quality.
The bagel has a hearty, satisfying texture that fills you right up.
Even the salad dressing is house-made!
Meals crafted with this much attention to detail truly taste exceptional.
During our visit, the weekly special was chicken-and-burdock tsukune (Japanese meatballs).
Served with a variety of side dishes and a hearty miso soup loaded with ingredients.
The tsukune was unbelievably moist and tender — it makes you wonder how they achieve such texture!
Delicate in flavor yet so satisfying — pairs perfectly with rice.
Here we have herbal tea and soft serve ice cream.
The owner says he has a 90% success rate when serving soft serve in a cup (lol)!
Fun stories like this make the visit even more delightful.
The roselle herbal tea is refreshing and fragrant — easy and pleasant to drink (^^)
Kurukuru began as a childcare support center, born from a desire to make Uto a better place to raise children.
The cafe was added so that families visiting the support center could also enjoy a meal together.
The support center is open even on weekends, making it incredibly accessible — and it has many regular visitors!

The convenience of being able to enjoy a meal in the same place as the support center is truly wonderful.
As you can probably tell from the photos, lol —
the staff have such wonderful personalities ♡
Fun fact: these two aren’t even married to each other!
I was sure they were a married couple — that’s how amazing their chemistry is!

Whether you’re a tired parent or a curious traveler, the delicious food and cheerful staff will leave you refreshed.
If you usually feel self-conscious dining out with kids — this is the place for you!
Most customers here are families with children, so you can truly relax without worry.
I definitely want to come back with my own kids next time!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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