Introducing KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso

Hello travelers! I’m Aikero, a writer for SaruKuma.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a wonderful spot in Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City:
KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso (Kawachi Base Ryueiso).Just 30 minutes from central Kumamoto, Kawachi-machi is a peaceful coastal town nestled between the Ariake Sea and lush mikan (mandarin orange) hillsides — a place where time slows down beautifully.

It also happens to be my hometown!

Ryueiso, located in Kawachi’s hot spring district, was a beloved local ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) for generations. I have warm childhood memories of family gatherings and meals there.

Sadly, after 70 years of welcoming guests, Ryueiso closed its doors due to the lack of a successor.But here’s the wonderful twist: famous Japanese TV personality Suzanne purchased Ryueiso and reopened it as KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso on December 21, 2024!

Honestly, my first reaction was, “Why Kawachi of all places?”

But once I learned about Suzanne’s heartfelt mission — to put Kawachi on the map and use this spot as a gateway for visitors to discover all the wonderful things Kumamoto has to offer — I couldn’t help but feel excited about what’s ahead!

Starting in February, private family baths and overnight stays will also be available, so I’ll definitely be back to report on those (^O^)/

Right next door is Ariake Orange En, another spot Suzanne loves to visit. We’ve covered it before — the friendly staff and seaside BBQ make it a must-visit too!

Ariake Orange En (Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) — Rain or Shine BBQ With Ocean Views!

At the end of this article, don’t miss our “While You’re in Kawachi, Check These Out!” series — there’s so much more to discover here!

Now, let’s dive in!

Here’s the parking area.
Enter through the gate marked with the KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso sign and head to the back right.
If the main lot is full, you can also park at the harbor diagonally across the street.

It’s only a 30-second walk, so feel free to use whichever is easier!
If you’re unsure, just ask the friendly staff.
Stepping into KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso, you’re greeted by gorgeous houseplants — the lush greenery instantly sets a calming mood!

While the entrance has a traditional doma (earthen floor) feel with stepping stones, you can keep your shoes on inside ♫
(My dad and I both nearly slipped off our shoes out of habit — old ryokan instincts die hard! Haha)Inside you’ll find table seating,
cozy sofa seats perfect for relaxing,
a counter ideal for chatting,
and two private rooms tucked toward the back.

Reservations aren’t taken — it’s first come, first served.

When I arrived at 11:30 AM on a weekday, we had the place to ourselves, but customers started rolling in after noon.
On weekends and holidays, arriving early is highly recommended.Children’s chairs are also available — just ask the staff ♫To the left of the entrance is a delightful souvenir corner!You’ll find Kawachi mikan oranges plus a wonderful selection of Kumamoto specialty products ♫The famous Fu-shio salt is a local favorite!
The yuzu pepper and lemon varieties are exclusive collaborations between KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso and Fu-shio — original products you can only find here.
Now I want some myself — I’ll grab some next time I visit (●＾o＾●)There’s also jalapeño from Kobira Olive Garden in Kikuyo Town (one of Suzanne’s favorites) and KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso original drip coffee.
The packaging features Kumamoto dialect designs — perfect as gifts or souvenirs for friends from outside the prefecture ♫
They also stock basashi (horse sashimi) and donguri pork (acorn-fed pork) (^^)/
Here’s the menu! There are too many items to list everything, so here are some highlights.

· Bi-Seiro (steamer set) — 1,760 yen

· KAWACHI BASE Nori-Shirasu Pizza — 1,320 yen

· Local Fish Marinated Donburi — 1,760 yen
· Donguri Pork Kakuni Donburi — 1,760 yen
· Akaushi Steak Donburi — 1,760 yen
★ Choose between white rice or multigrain rice for donburi
· Healthy Butter Chicken Curry — 1,100 yen

· Mini Donburi Trio Set — 1,760 yen
★ Choose between white rice or multigrain rice

· Melty Panini — 770 yen

· Our House Tonjiru (pork miso soup) — 385 yen
· Ariake Nori Salt Onigiri (2 pieces) — 385 yen
· Ikeda’s Karaage — 3 pieces 330 yen / 6 pieces 660 yen
· Ikeda’s Dashimaki Tamago — 682 yen

The variety of single-item options makes this a great spot for families with kids ♫
Suzanne’s house tonjiru sounds intriguing too!
· Choose-Your-Anko Grilled Dango Set — 1,320 yen
(Pick 3 from: unshu mikan, Kyoto gyokuro tea, roasted sweet potato, Kumamoto-grown shibukawa chestnut. Mitarashi included.)
· Extra Dango Stick — 150 yen

· Pesticide-Free Brown Rice Mochi Sweet & Salty Set — 1,650 yen
· Luxurious Kawachi Mikan French Toast — 1,320 yen
· Kawachi Mikan & Matcha Japanese-Style Parfait — 1,375 yen

Each table features these special bottles.

You can choose from Suzanne’s original blend, ambassador Ayaka Fuchigami’s original blend, or the KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso original blend — all medicinal herbal teas with whole tea leaves so you can enjoy the aroma ♫

Pick by reading the menu, or simply by smell!

When ordered as a set with a meal,
the price drops from 1,100 yen to just 880 yen — what a great deal!
Plenty of takeout options are available too — perfect if you spot something you’d love to bring home ♫

To order, scan the QR code, accept the site terms, and order online.
If you’re not sure how, the staff is happy to take your order verbally ♫After ordering on your phone, simply bring this card to the register when you’re ready to leave.
Payment options include cash, credit card, and various cashless methods — super convenient ♫
And on a totally unrelated note — the oshibori (hand towels) had the most lovely refreshing scent!

KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso: Recommended Menu Items

Since I came with my dad, we ended up ordering quite a feast!

He loves trying lots of different things, so I got to sample plenty for this report (●＾o＾●)The Bi-Seiro!
A healthy bamboo steamer set featuring seasonal vegetables, tofu, shumai dumplings, and chimaki sticky rice.
Served with spicy sesame sauce and ponzu!
The chimaki was wonderfully chewy and delicious ♪
I’m usually a ponzu person, but the spicy sesame sauce was unexpectedly amazing!
The vegetables were naturally sweet and so gentle on the body (^^)Perfect for my variety-loving dad: the Mini Donburi Trio Set!
His eyes lit up the moment he saw it — “Oh, this looks great!” — instant decision. Haha
Donguri pork is raised on acorn-blended feed and Aso’s natural spring water.
A true taste of Kumamoto, where the water is famously delicious ♫
And of course, akaushi (Japanese red beef) — Kumamoto’s signature beef!
Even though it’s a mini bowl, it comes generously topped with meat ♫Big eaters might find the trio set leaves them wanting a bit more.
For most people, it’s a perfectly satisfying portion ♫Did you know? Kawachi is also famous for nori (seaweed)!

The flavor of nori harvested from the Ariake Sea was outstanding!
The pizza dough is delightfully chewy — kids will love it too (^^)“Get this one too,” my dad said — so we ordered the Grilled Dango Set.

It comes out quickly, so we ordered it as dessert ♫
From the three anko (sweet bean paste) options, we picked unshu mikan, Kyoto gyokuro tea, and roasted sweet potato. Mitarashi always comes included (^^)/The staff recommended grilling them well, so I went for a nice crispy char.

The sizzling sound was absolutely mouthwatering!
Kids would love this hands-on grilling experience too (^○^)You can add extra dango sticks too!

The bright citrus aroma of the mikan, the slight bitterness of gyokuro tea, the comforting sweetness of the sweet potato — each anko was incredible.
And the dango itself? Crispy outside, mochi-soft inside — absolute perfection!
For the medicinal herbal tea, we chose the KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso original Earl Grey blend.
The caramel rooibos and lemon rooibos smelled amazing too — such a tough choice!

The staff said the herbal tea pot holds about 500ml and is shareable, so my dad and I split one — and it was plenty for two (^^)/

The teapot sits on a candle warmer, keeping it hot until the very last sip — such a thoughtful touch!
I worried it might taste too “medicinal,” but it was wonderfully smooth and easy to drink!And here’s that trendy fresh-squeezed juice machine you’ve been seeing everywhere!
But here, it doesn’t squeeze oranges — it squeezes Kawachi mikan!A 100% pure, freshly-squeezed Kawachi mikan juice!

It’s not as bold or punchy as orange juice, but you can really taste the natural mikan sweetness and gentle acidity ♫
This is something I’d love to share with kids (●＾o＾●)
Though it is a little on the pricey side… haha
Going with my dad gave us a wonderfully full report packed with delicious dishes (^_^;)

I noticed plenty of locals among both the KAWACHI BASE – Ryueiso staff and customers during my visit, but there were also lots of visitors from outside Kawachi.

For travelers who simply pass through Kawachi on the way between Tamana and central Kumamoto — or those who’d never even heard of Kawachi — I hope this spot becomes a charming gateway to discovering the area’s hidden gems (●＾o＾●)

And now! As promised, here’s the
“While You’re in Kawachi, Check These Out!” series!

How about climbing Mount Kinpo, the mountain you can always see in the distance?

Half-Day Trip to Mount Kinpo — Bird Watching and Trout Fishing for Lunch!

Did you know you can stay overnight in a storybook-like cottage?

Outdoor Field Nonnemu (Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) — A Magical Outdoor Adventure for Families!

Everyone is welcome to come play!

Karatachi Kodomoen (Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) — A Playground-Like Garden Where Families Can Play, Create Art, and Relax!

Families and groups are warmly welcomed!!

Ariake Orange En (Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) — Rain-Friendly Seaside BBQ!

If you’ve visited any of these spots or have feedback, we’d love to hear from you on SaruKuma’s Instagram via DM or comments ♫

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Frequently Asked Questions

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