Introducing N+ Onigiriya

Hello travelers! This is Aikero, writer for Sarukuma.

Bread is wonderful — but you can’t beat a good rice ball, can you?
Sometimes nothing satisfies a craving like a freshly made onigiri!
If that sounds like you, why not stop by this brand-new shop that just opened on December 1st? ♫

Today’s spotlight is on N+ Onigiriya, located in Honjomachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City.
【N+ Onigiriya】

At the end of this post, we’ll also share other onigiri shops around Kumamoto Prefecture that Sarukuma has visited — be sure to check those out too! ♫
These are seriously premium onigiri — made with Koshihikari rice from the famous Uonuma region of Niigata Prefecture, salt from Ako, and nori seaweed from Ariake Sea.

So where exactly is it?
You’ll find it along Route 3, near Yamamoto Fishing Tackle Center and Inoue Orthopedic Clinic, right across from Gin Shari-tei.
Look out for the bright yellow banner and signage — locals heading to work or out for the day may have spotted it already! ♫

If you’re driving from the south, you’ll need to make a right turn into the shop — but note that right turns are restricted during certain hours, so plan accordingly.
Parking is available!
There’s a cram school next door — until evening, you can park anywhere in the lot.
After evening hours, the cram school spaces are off-limits, so park directly in front of N+ Onigiriya.The interior is bright and minimalist.
Strollers can roll right in — no problem!
…wait, dorayaki?
Isn’t this supposed to be an onigiri shop?
And what on earth is Himeji dorayaki?

Here’s the fun backstory: N+ Onigiriya is actually owned by a company based in Hyogo Prefecture.
In Himeji, almond toast (white bread spread with almond butter, served at coffee shops) is considered local soul food — and these dorayaki are a creative spin-off, a kind of “neo-wagashi” Japanese sweet!

“We already have repeat customers for the almond butter version,” the staff told us.
A pack of 5 is 1,000 yen (excluding tax), with the chestnut variety priced at +70 yen.

The dorayaki themselves are crafted by Nishimoriya, a long-established traditional sweets shop in Niigata Prefecture.
Nishimoriya’s products were already being sold in Himeji, and now they’ve made their way to Kumamoto — meaning Himeji-style almond butter dorayaki are now available right here! (^^)/
The shop name has a story too: there’s the Nishimoriya dorayaki shop, a bakery in Hyogo, and now this onigiri shop in Kumamoto as the third location. The “N” comes from Nishimoriya — hence, N+ Onigiriya!

Pictured here is the shop manager, Sato-san.
“I always wanted to work in food service,” he shared.

He’s also a self-described foodie who loves exploring local restaurants!
The onigiri opportunity came his way in November, and he managed to open the shop in just one month — talk about lightning speed.

The fillings have differences between Hyogo and Kumamoto tastes, and he’s gradually fine-tuning them to suit local palates! ♫Here’s the full onigiri menu!

・Salt onigiri　　　　139 yen
・Salmon　　　　　　278 yen
・Umeboshi (pickled plum)　　　　278 yen
・Kombu (kelp)　　　　260 yen
・Nori tsukudani　　　260 yen
・Takana (pickled mustard greens)　　　232 yen
・Mentai takana　　　260 yen
・Mentaiko (spicy cod roe)　　　278 yen
・Tuna mayo　　　　232 yen
・Soboro-ni　　　　　278 yen
・Handmade meat miso　　260 yen
・Karaage with tartar sauce　　325 yen
・Addictive grilled beef karubi　　278 yen
★All prices exclude tax

The soboro-ni features Kobe beef and Awaji onions.
Uonuma Koshihikari rice paired with Kobe beef and Awaji onions — a combination you really can’t find anywhere else in Kumamoto! (●＾o＾●)
The onigiri are kept in a display case, so you’ll need to order at the counter rather than picking them up yourself! ♫

You can also order them freshly hand-pressed!
It may take a bit of time, so calling ahead is a good idea for a smoother experience.They also sell tea! (^^)/

Recommended Items at N+ Onigiriya

From left to right: addictive grilled beef karubi, umeboshi, handmade meat miso, and the day’s special grilled onigiri at the time of our visit.
They’re about the same size as a Japanese convenience store onigiri — perfectly easy to eat on the go.

And since they come in plastic cases, you don’t need to worry about squashing them in your bag!

By the way…
“Are the toppings just sitting on top? |дﾟ)”Nope — the filling is properly tucked inside too! ♫

Slightly sweet rice paired with boldly seasoned fillings? It’s a match made in heaven!
The nori is soft and easy to bite through, making it kid-friendly too.
And of course, we had to try the dorayaki too!
This might be the only place in Kumamoto where you can taste authentic Himeji-style almond butter!Can you see them? Those tiny almond pieces!

The bright orange tang combined with rich almond butter is absolutely delicious — lighter than peanut butter, with a fresh, refined flavor.
“In the future, we’d love to start offering side dishes too,” the manager mentioned — so stay tuned for updates! ♫

Opening hours are Weekdays 8:00–14:00 and 16:00–19:00.
On weekends and holidays, the shop is open straight through from 8:00–19:00, perfect for grabbing breakfast or dinner on the go! (^^)/
Come experience the flavors of Niigata and Himeji — right here in Kumamoto! ♫

Other onigiri shops Sarukuma has previously featured around Kumamoto Prefecture (^^)/

◆Omusubiya Ito — Kengun, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City

Relocated【Omusubiya Ito — Kengun, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City】Opened April 18, 2024! Heartfelt rice balls made with carefully selected Kumamoto ingredients

◆Tururatta — Magoshiromachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City

【Tururatta — Magoshiromachi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City】More than just big — warm onigiri with beautifully fluffy rice

◆Fujiki Honten — Shinmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City

Closed【Fujiki Honten】Great for events and bazaars — delicious onigiri made by a rice shop《Shinmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City》

◆Musubiya En Hotakubo Branch — Hotakubo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City

Relocated【Musubiya En Hotakubo Branch — Hotakubo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City】Opened June 16 — popular omusubi shop connecting people through rice balls opens its second location

◆Musubiya En Ozu Branch — Ozu Town, Kikuchi District

【Musubiya En】Hand-pressed shio musubi made on the spot — absolutely delicious!《Ozu, Ozu Town, Kikuchi District》

◆Omusubi Kujira — Kikuyo Town, Kikuchi District

Closed【Omusubi Kujira — Hikari no Mori, Kikuyo Town, Kikuchi District】Brown rice omusubi that’s gentle on the family budget and body

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Frequently Asked Questions

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