Hello, travelers!
This is Binako, a SaruKuma writer.

Today I’m thrilled to introduce a hidden gem
tucked away in Hirayama, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture:
“Cafe Arbaro”.

Tucked away off the main road, the cafe is surrounded by lush, peaceful nature!

There’s a spacious parking area in front of the shop with room for 5 cars.

On the way to the cafe, you’ll see a sign pointing to the second parking lot.
It helps to know where it is in advance for a smoother arrival!

At the entrance, you’ll find handmade goods and sweets for sale!
The door at the back leads to a spacious restroom equipped with a diaper-changing table.

Past the front tables, there’s additional seating where families can enjoy a relaxing meal together.

Books and Japanese manga are available, so you’ll never get bored while waiting!

And here’s the best part!
There’s a fully stocked kids’ play area,
so little ones can have fun after finishing their meal!

From the counter seats, you can keep an eye on the play area
— a wonderful way for parents to relax while their kids play after eating.

There’s also a restroom near the seating area with diaper-changing and nursing facilities,
making the cafe welcoming for guests of all ages!

The restroom even has a potty for toddlers, perfect for families in the middle of potty training!

There are kids’ tables and chairs,

plus high chairs for the regular seating area too!
How thoughtful for traveling parents!

The level of care here truly warms the heart.

And there’s even more!
Take a look —
there’s a flea market on-site too!

Items start from just 50 yen, so if your child spills food on their clothes
or needs a quick change, you can grab affordable replacement clothing in a flash!

(Stock varies, so availability isn’t guaranteed.)

Isn’t that incredible?
I was completely blown away!

Allergy-conscious dining is a priority here, so outside food and snacks aren’t allowed.
There’s a heartfelt message from the staff explaining the policy — well worth a read!

When you call to make a reservation, the staff will kindly ask about any allergies,
so be sure to mention them in advance for a worry-free meal.

Here’s the lunch menu:
・Gochiso Lunch Set: 1,600 yen (+tax)
・Veggie Tuna Taco Rice: 1,400 yen (+tax)
・Summer Vegetable Baked Curry: 1,400 yen (+tax)

The menu features natural, wholesome cuisine that’s gentle on the body!
For an extra 600 yen (+tax), you can upgrade to the DX Cafe Set.

The cafe operates separately as a lunch spot and a “doma cafe” (earthen-floor cafe).
Lunch service runs from 11:30 to 15:00.

The cafe’s concept is proudly displayed inside.
Delicious AND gentle on the body — what a wonderful combination!

And here’s the drinks menu.
Everything is organic and homemade,
so you’ll be tempted to try them all!

Recommended Menu

This time, I ordered the Gochiso Lunch Set + DX Cafe Set (¥2,420).

For my drink, I chose Umesho Bancha, a traditional Japanese tea
made with umeboshi (pickled plum), soy sauce, and ginger, served with bancha tea.
Drinking it before a meal helps warm the body!

The aroma of plum was lovely, and after stirring it gently, the slightly tangy flavor was easy to enjoy.
It’s the kind of warming drink that makes you sigh with contentment.

As for lunch, the day’s offerings included
soy karaage, corn potage, kabocha veggie-tuna cocotte,
grilled corn, mashed potatoes, and marinated vegetables.

The potage had such a gentle, homemade flavor — pure comfort in a bowl!
And the soy karaage? Made from tofu instead of meat, yet wonderfully fibrous and incredibly satisfying!

Honestly, I think I might prefer it to traditional karaage now.
The sauce on top was perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious!

The kabocha cocotte was wonderfully fluffy and naturally sweet.
The rice is locally sourced multigrain rice from Mashiki Town, making it impossibly addictive!

For dessert, I picked the Soy Milk Blancmange and Black Sesame Ice Cream!
The homemade strawberry sauce drizzled over the blancmange was perfectly balanced — not too sweet, easy to finish even after a meal.

And the soy milk ice cream! It was shockingly delicious!
The black sesame flavor was rich and bold, yet the texture was incredibly smooth.
It completely changed everything I thought I knew about ice cream!

Rich yet refreshing — I could have eaten endless servings!

Even after finishing, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
That’s how good it was!

The Gochiso Lunch Set changes daily based on the freshest seasonal ingredients,
so if you’d like to know the menu in advance, give them a call!

They’re also happy to accommodate special requests, like making rice into onigiri (rice balls), within reason.

Talk about going above and beyond for their guests!

This is a place I would absolutely visit again!

From the facilities to the food, every single detail reflects the cafe’s warm, thoughtful spirit!

Frequently Asked Questions

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