Hello, fellow travelers!
[SaruKuma] writer Cho-san here!

Today I’m excited to introduce you to
“mizutama cafe”,
located in Yamato Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture.

This was a long-awaited cafe visit for me—I’ve wanted to come here for years!
With its spectacular scenery and Instagram-worthy charm, this article comes packed with photos.

It takes about 1.5 hours from central Kumamoto City, but trust me—
it’s absolutely worth the trip!
This place delivers incredible satisfaction, so let’s dive right in!

First things first—the cafe is tucked away in the mountains.
You’ll wind your way up a narrow mountain road,
and you’ll spot small signs with the cafe’s logo
at two locations along the way.
Just follow your GPS navigation carefully!

The cafe sits up a small slope from the main road.
There’s parking for up to 4 cars on the cafe’s property,

plus 3 spaces at the neighboring Rondo Museum,
and 2 more spots along the slope.

The road is narrow, and large dump trucks occasionally pass through, so please park considerately to avoid blocking traffic.

As you climb the slope, the cafe comes into view.
For someone like me who doesn’t exercise much, that slope was quite the workout! (laughs)

But the excitement builds with every step!

The weather during our visit was absolutely perfect and so refreshing!

Seating runs in a row alongside the cafe building,

and a bit further back, you’ll find newly built, wonderfully open-air seating.

Here’s the surprise: everything was handcrafted by the owner…
Absolutely incredible!

First, you check in inside the shop.
You’ll need to remove your shoes when entering—a traditional Japanese custom.
Just to the left of the entrance,
you’ll find the register where check-in happens.
(Payment options include credit cards, transit IC cards, and QR code payments.)

We arrived during lunchtime and found the cafe completely full with both reservations and walk-in customers, so we had to wait.

The cafe holds tables for both reserved and walk-in guests, so making a reservation in advance is highly recommended.

Inside, there’s a charming retail space with an array of cute miscellaneous goods,

and just browsing was a delight!
They also stock face masks and clothing!

And then,
a bookshelf full of books kept us happily occupied during the wait.

What’s more,
the Rondo Museum sits right next door,
giving you plenty of ways to spend your time!

I lost count of how many photos I snapped before even reaching my seat—
there are so many photogenic spots that I never got bored waiting! (laughs)

Finally, we were shown to our table!
From the main building, we walked to the back seating area
and were guided to seat “G“.
You carry a basket with you to your seat.
(I was too excited, so my friend took this photo for me! laughs)
Seats A, B, C, and D are located even higher up.
(Visible on the left side of the photo)

From the back, these are seats E, F, and G.
The seats are staggered, ensuring nice privacy
so you won’t be bothered by neighboring guests.
Seat G was at the very end!
Once seated, we unpacked our basket.

Inside were a water bottle, cups, and placemats.

Looking back toward the cafe from seat G,
you can see this view—plus the on-site parking, for your reference!

Recommended Menu Items

Here are the menu items that showcase carefully selected ingredients.
Whenever possible, ingredients are sourced from Yamato Town!
“Please relax and take your time,”
the staff kindly told us—how lovely!
Next time, I want to come during cafe hours with a book in hand!
The most popular lunch item is
Yamato Picnic Lunch — 1,450 yen
Available only between 11:00 and 14:00.
Yamato Sandwich Set — 1,600 yen
Yamato Soup Set — 1,200 yen
These two sets are available all opening hours.

The dessert selection is also impressive!
Next time, I’m determined to try the Tongiri-yama (400 yen)! (laughs)

They also have parfaits and shaved ice!
Their dedication to Yamato Town really shines through!

The drink menu is extensive too!
Blended coffee starts at 300 yen.
True to its location, they offer a Yabe tea latte made with locally grown Yamato Town tea!
They also serve organic juices, the same ones sold inside the shop.
The bottles are adorable, and you can take them home—what a lovely touch!
Alcoholic beverages are also available!
Enjoying a drink while taking in the breathtaking view must be heavenly.

To order,
you use the intercom hanging from the tree
placed in a small basket!
This unique ordering method made me feel like a kid again—it’s wonderfully whimsical! (laughs)

For our visit, we ordered
the Yamato Picnic Lunch (1,450 yen).
First, the soup arrived.
On this particular day, it was carrot potage.
Then came the main plate.
With its generous variety of items and gentle, comforting flavors, it was simply delicious…

With incredible scenery to match, it was truly the perfect picnic lunch!

By the way…
the staff bring out the food in this charming way.

And here are the Italian organic juices.
Lemonade on the left,
grapefruit on the right.
I first discovered these at an imported foods store and have been a fan ever since—
both for the delicious flavor and the cute bottles.
These are actually from my personal stash—just for reference!

Important: The cafe closes on rainy days,
so registering for their official LINE account is a great idea.
You’ll receive notifications about any temporary closures.

Please come and experience this breathtaking view for yourself!
Since there are slopes and gravel paths,
I strongly recommend wearing sneakers or sturdy walking shoes! (laughs)

Frequently Asked Questions

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