Hello, travelers!
It’s Binako, your SaruKuma writer — still struggling to put on muscle in all the right places (ha!).

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a delightful little cake shop called
“Maman”, tucked away in Hanatate, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City.

I just love the name “Maman” — it means “mom” in French, and somehow it always makes me think of warm, homemade comfort.

Good news for drivers — there’s parking for one or two cars right in front of the shop!

You’ll find Maman diagonally across from the Gusto restaurant in Hanatate, right next to Higo Bank.

Just look for the cheerful red storefront — you can’t miss it! ★

A treasure chest of sweets!!

The display case is packed with variety, but the simple, clean layout makes it so easy to browse. The colorful selection of roll cakes immediately caught my eye!

According to the staff, the matcha (green tea) roll cake is Maman’s number one signature item!

You just know it’s going to be rich and absolutely delicious — a must-try if you love authentic Japanese matcha flavor.

They also offer apple pie, but it must be a fan favorite — it had already sold out by the time I visited! (´;ω;｀)

I’m a big apple pie fan, so I’m definitely hoping to catch it on my next visit!

Maman also makes custom birthday cakes, so if you’re celebrating a special occasion during your stay in Kumamoto, definitely book ahead!

There are tons of styles and designs to choose from!

Right next to the cake display, you’ll find a lovely selection of baked goods too. They come both as gift assortments and individual treats — perfect for souvenirs or a quick snack!

There’s also a cozy seating area in the back where you can enjoy your treats right in the shop.

A drink menu sits right on the table, so you can sit back, sip something delicious, and recharge after a day of sightseeing — the perfect Japanese tea-time experience!

Recommended Menu

This time, I picked up:
Chocolate Tart — 320 yen
Custard Cream Puff — 180 yen

My little one chose the chocolate tart.

The shop staff promised it would be wonderfully rich!

My child usually isn’t a big cake eater, so I wondered if it would even get finished — but to my surprise, the tart was disappearing bite by bite, held happily in one little hand!

I was genuinely amazed!!

I snuck a bite myself and —
Wow, pure chocolate heaven!!

Seriously rich!! The chocolate flavor is bold and unmistakable,
but it leans more toward a deep, less-sweet cocoa with just a touch of milky softness — incredibly satisfying!

No wonder my little one polished it off in record time.

I went for the cream puff myself!

The choux pastry is wonderfully firm, so it holds its shape beautifully even when you pick it up — super easy to eat without making a mess.

Inside, there was
SO much luscious custard cream
that I instantly thought, “Yes — this is exactly my kind of cream puff!”

The choux shell was crisp and light, with just the right thickness — not too thick, not too thin — making for a beautifully balanced, gentle-tasting pastry.

This was actually the very first time I’d ever seen my child finish a whole cake!

Thank you so much, Maman!

Frequently Asked Questions

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