Hello, travelers!

This is Binako, your SaruKuma writer — and yes, tomorrow is trash day, so I’d better not forget to take it out!

Today I’m taking you to Kusunoki, Kita-ku, Kumamoto City, to visit a charming local bakery called Handmade Bread IMAMURA (Imamura Pan).

You’ll spot the bakery easily thanks to its bright red sign and the wonderfully nostalgic, old-school atmosphere of the storefront. ^^

There’s a parking lot right in front of the shop — super convenient!

There’s even an outdoor terrace area, perfect for taking a quick break and enjoying your fresh-baked bread on the spot.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by the warmest, most charming owner — her smile alone could brighten anyone’s day!

She was happily chatting with a customer who’d just popped in, clearly a regular. The whole vibe was so heartwarming and uniquely Japanese — exactly the kind of small-town bakery experience you hope to stumble into when traveling through Kumamoto.

The selection ranges from savory “okazu pan” (filled bread rolls) to sweet pastries — a true classic Japanese bakery experience.

The sandwich lineup looked especially tempting:
Daily Sandwich — 240 yen
Sandwich — 260 yen
Special Pork Cutlet (Katsu) Sandwich — 260 yen
Vegetable Sandwich — 200 yen
Tamba — 210 yen

Baguette (Large) — 310 yen
Baguette (Small) — 185 yen

The baguettes looked absolutely irresistible — that beautifully golden, crispy crust is everything!

Shokupan (Japanese-style Loaf Bread) — 310 yen
There’s nothing like fluffy Japanese shokupan for breakfast! Kids love it, and it’s incredibly versatile — toast it, sandwich it, or just enjoy it as is.

Bagged Bread — 115 yen
This budget-friendly corner offers bread at lower prices than usual — a wallet-friendly treat for travelers and locals alike!

And here’s the deal that made my eyes pop:
Ring Donuts — 85 yen each / 3 for 220 yen
These donuts are a customer favorite, raved about in online reviews! Grab a set of three for the perfect afternoon snack.

An Donut (Sweet Bean Paste Donut) — 135 yen is also extremely popular — sadly, it was already sold out when I visited!

Recommended Menu Items

This time, I picked up:
Crispy Chocolat — 165 yen
Cornet (Chocolate Cream Bun) — 165 yen
Melty Cheese Bread — 115 yen

The cornet is a wonderfully cute, just-right size!

Look at it from this side…

And from the other side too —
It’s PACKED with chocolate!

The chocolate is rich and melts beautifully in your mouth. The owner mentioned it’s even better when chilled, so I tried it that way — and wow, the chocolate practically dissolves on your tongue the moment you take a bite.

The bread is so soft and fluffy that with every bite, the rich chocolate and tender bread create a perfectly balanced sweetness that’s absolutely addictive.

The Crispy Chocolat features chocolate-flavored bread itself, so every single bite delivers that rich cocoa flavor — pure heaven for chocolate lovers!

And there’s chocolate filling inside too, making this a beautiful
CHOCOLATE × CHOCOLATE
sandwich of pure happiness.

And to top it off, the chocolate filling has chocolate chips mixed in —
CHOCOLATE × CHOCOLATE × CHOCOLATE
the ultimate chocolate bread!

The chocolate chips add a delightful crunchy accent that keeps things interesting bite after bite — a true chocolate parade in your mouth, right to the last crumb.

This bread could win over even the biggest sweet tooth!

It looks like the moon has fallen from the sky!
This perfectly round cheese bread is almost too pretty to eat.

From the side, it’s even more adorable.
Its plump and bouncy shape makes you smile — almost like a chubby little kid!

Warm it up and the cheese inside melts into
pure deliciousness — seriously, beyond delicious!

The bread itself is wonderfully chewy and soft — guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. And at just 115 yen? An absolute steal.

From the warm, welcoming atmosphere to bread that feels like a hug, this is the kind of bakery that wraps you in comfort. A true gem of Kumamoto.

If you’re exploring Kumamoto City, be sure to stop by — you won’t regret it!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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