Hello, fellow travelers!

It’s been so cold lately that snuggling up with my kids for warmth seemed like a great idea—until they started kicking the blankets off in their sleep!
This is Binako, your SaruKuma writer, here with another local find!

Today, I’m excited to introduce you to
“Sabo Sakuranzaka,”
a delightful cafe nestled in Ninomaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City—right in the heart of the Kumamoto Castle area.

For parking, please use the Kumamoto Castle Josaien coin parking lot nearby.

Inside, you’ll find a cozy cafe serving up local Kumamoto specialties such as:
Akaushi (Kumamoto Red Beef) Curry – 920 yen
Akaushi Hamburger Lunch Set – 1,530 yen
Aso Natural Pork Bread Sandwich – 800 yen
Salt Soft-Serve & Strawberry Pancakes – 720 yen
These hearty options make it a perfect lunch stop while exploring the castle area! ♪
For the full menu, check out the official website linked at the bottom of this page.

This time, I went for the takeaway option!

The takeout window is conveniently located outside the shop—perfect for grabbing a treat while strolling around the castle grounds.

Recommended Menu

Here’s the takeaway menu, featuring some fantastic soft-serve ice cream options:
Cafe au Lait Soft-Serve – 400 yen
Amakusa Salt Soft-Serve – 350 yen
Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Salt Soft-Serve – 500 yen
Nanjo Caramel Soft-Serve – 480 yen

And for drinks, you can enjoy:
Hot Coffee – 400 yen
Aso Cold-Brew Coffee – 500 yen
Aso Cold-Brew Coffee (Black Beer Style) – 500 yen ^^

This time, I picked the most prominently featured item on the menu—
Cafe au Lait Soft-Serve – 400 yen!

Just look at this shape…
So round and incredibly cute!
The surface is impossibly smooth and glossy—I couldn’t help but smile the moment I held it! lol

The flavor of real, freshly brewed coffee
comes through beautifully—seriously delicious!

Despite its smooth appearance, the texture is surprisingly firm—almost like a frozen-style soft-serve!

That delightful gap between looks and texture makes it incredibly satisfying to eat. You can really enjoy each mouthful as the texture unfolds.

Honestly, both the flavor and texture are absolutely top-notch.

The waffle cone is also easy to handle, and the chocolate notes pair perfectly with the coffee, keeping every bite delicious right down to the last crumb.

Kids will love this soft-serve too—it’s a real crowd-pleaser!

Next time, I’d love to come back and try one of their lunch sets!

If you’re visiting Kumamoto Castle, definitely make a stop here—you won’t regret it!

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Note: The information below is for the takeaway service and may differ from in-store details↓

Frequently Asked Questions

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