Good evening, fellow travelers!
When autumn arrives in Japan, my mind goes straight to one thing: food.
This is Nanako, writer for SaruKuma.

Today I’m introducing a charming little patisserie called
“Mori no Kumasan Bon Gateau”,
located in Hikari no Mori, Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture.

You’ll find the shop right near YouMe Town Hikari no Mori shopping mall.

The exterior alone is already irresistibly cute!

There’s a generous parking lot right next to the shop, so driving here is stress-free.

From the parking lot, just a few steps and…

The moment you step inside, beautiful cakes greet you head-on.

How can they be this adorable?!

Hearts, flowers, and tiny bears perched on top of the cakes!

The cuteness simply doesn’t stop.

This one’s piled with hearts, fresh fruit, and a tiny bear-shaped cookie.

Pure gorgeousness!

This one is a touch simpler than the others, but the strawberries are cut into hearts.
Elegant, yet still impossibly charming.

Honestly, I could have stood and stared at them all day.

And it’s not just the whole cakes that are adorable.

The individual pastries are just as cute!

Take this Chocolat Cube (500 yen) — the little heart on the side is darling.

Then there’s the Purple Sweet Potato Tart (500 yen), topped with a cookie,
and the Kuma Chestnut Mont Blanc (480 yen), where Kumamoto’s famous chestnuts are wrapped in delicate macaron shells.
Even the seasonal cakes show off such creativity.

Following the purple sweet potato, the Anno Sweet Potato Tart (500 yen) looks just as delicious!

And of course — too cute for words!

An incredible variety of charming cakes lines the display case.

My son was so excited he wouldn’t budge from the showcase!

There’s also a wonderful selection of baked goods!

At 150 to 200 yen each, they make perfect souvenirs to take home or share.

Recommended Menu

From this dazzling lineup, I picked three cakes to try!

First up:
Kuma Chestnut Mont Blanc (480 yen)!

This one was actually my son’s pick rather than mine.

The chestnut paste on the outside is rich but never heavy.
The cream on top is light and pairs beautifully with the candied chestnut.

The macaron shell wrapped around the cream is delicate, and eating it together with the cream is heaven.

My son’s fork wouldn’t stop. “Mom, share more with me!”

Next up: Aburi Mont Blanc (500 yen)!

A torched (“aburi”) cake — surprising, right? (“Aburi” is a Japanese technique of searing the surface with flame.)

I picked it for the novelty, and what a great choice it turned out to be.
The caramelized surface is utterly delicious!

Just look at this cross-section! (Sorry, I already took a bite!)

Inside the torched marron cream is a fluffy, Japanese-style cream
wrapped around a layer of matcha sponge cake!

The cream is mixed with finely chopped chestnuts —
not too sweet, and it pairs perfectly with the caramelized top.

And then the matcha flavor in the sponge ties everything together!

I’ve never had a Mont Blanc like it. Absolutely incredible.

I want to come back next year for sure — actually, I want to eat it again right now.

And finally, the grand finale!

Whole Pear Tart (700 yen)!

Behold!

An entire pear sits proudly atop a tart base.
The volume and presentation are seriously impressive.

And in goes the knife!

The pear is packed full of cream inside!

I never knew pears could taste this amazing.
The refreshing sweetness of the pear with the rich, creamy filling is simply irresistible.

My son was overjoyed and kept asking for “more pear, please!”

Wow — delicious to eat, beautiful to look at, and pure happiness on a plate.

“Mori no Kumasan Bon Gateau”

An incredible lineup of autumn cakes awaits you.

Perfect for a fun family outing or a quiet treat-yourself moment alone!

Follow our Instagram for daily updates!
SaruKuma shares info on lunches, parks, and indoor play spots for families with kids in Kumamoto.
We’d love a follow! (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

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