Hello, fellow travelers! 😀
This is Yuzu, a writer for Sarukuma ⭐︎

Today I’m introducing a charming little shop located in Tamukae, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City:
【Dango no Takano Chain Tamukae Store】 ⭐︎

The word “chain” in the name had me curious, so I asked the owners. Apparently, there used to be other branches in Kumamoto, but this is the only one remaining locally 😊

There are reportedly other branches in places like Tokyo as well 🙂

In fact, fans even travel from outside Kumamoto Prefecture just to buy these dango! 😆

The shop sits along the old Hamasen road, directly across from ACE Iwasaki 😀

It’s also close to Chii no Pan and Donmaru, which I’ve covered before 😃

[CLOSED] Chii no Pan: Wide Variety of Curry Bread Including Cute Cat-Shaped Loaves (Denakama, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City)

[CLOSED] Donmaru Tamukae Store: Best-Value Seafood Rice Bowls All for 500 Yen, Takeout Only (Denakama, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City)

Alright, let’s GO! GO!!!!!!

As I approached the shop, I noticed a sign reading Takoyaki (octopus balls)!!

Takoyaki for just 300 yen?!

And you get 10 pieces for that price!

In an era when one pack of takoyaki usually costs over 500 yen, this is a steal!
Unbelievably cheap!!

I was so shocked by the price that I just had to start with the takoyaki! 😆

Now, here’s the dango lineup 🍡

The skewered dango section

Can you see the prices?

Mitarashi Dango: 60 yen!

Yomogi (Mugwort) Dango: 80 yen!

Way too affordable! 😅

This is the manju (steamed bun) corner

Sake Manju: 80 yen

Ohagi (sweet rice ball with red bean): 80 yen

And you can choose between chunky (tsubu) or smooth (koshi) bean paste 👍🏻

On the bottom shelf, I spotted makizushi (rolled sushi) 😁

Some items had already sold out by the time I arrived, but look how thick they are!!

For this size, 420 yen is incredible value!!

They also offer inarizushi (sweet tofu pouches stuffed with rice) 😀

Something I’d always wondered about while passing by:
the Jabit-kun mascot doll 😍

I assumed the owners must be Yomiuri Giants fans. They confirmed they do like the Giants, but the doll was actually a gift from members of a nearby junior high school baseball team who attended the Giants’ training camp in Miyazaki and brought it back as a souvenir 🥰

Recommended Menu Items

Here’s what I tried this time:

Mitarashi Dango: 60 yen

This is old-school mitarashi dango at its finest!

A truly classic, authentic mitarashi dango 🍡
The sweet soy glaze has just the right level of sweetness, and the dango is wonderfully chewy and mochi-like 😍

I devoured it in seconds! 😂

Ohagi (chunky bean paste): 80 yen

So affordable, yet so generously sized!

My family is absolutely obsessed with ohagi 🥰
And this one received rave reviews across the board!

It’s coated with a thick layer of sweet red bean paste, perfectly balanced in sweetness 😃

Pumpkin Manju: 80 yen

Packed with loads of pumpkin paste inside! 🎃

Confession time: this autumn,
pumpkin has officially entered my top 5 favorite foods 🎃

The outer skin has such a nostalgic, comforting feel 🥰

And of course, the pumpkin filling is sweet, gentle, and delicious 😍

And here’s the Yomogi (Mugwort) Dango: 80 yen

A flavor that melts your fatigue away 🤩

Something sweet always makes the body happy 😍

The couple who runs this shop are absolutely lovely ❤️
They were so kind and chatted with me about all sorts of things 😍
The dango alone is worth a visit, but I’d return just to see them again 💕

Be sure to drop by if you’re in the area! 😀

Related articles:

[CLOSED] Chii no Pan: Wide Variety of Curry Bread Including Cute Cat-Shaped Loaves (Denakama, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City)

[CLOSED] Donmaru Tamukae Store: Best-Value Seafood Rice Bowls All for 500 Yen, Takeout Only (Denakama, Minami Ward, Kumamoto City)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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