Welcome to Fruits Marche UFO

Hello travelers! Aikero here, writing for Sarukuma.

Today I’m excited to introduce you to Fruits Marche UFO, a charming fruit shop and cafe tucked away in Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City — a wonderful stop for visitors who want to taste authentic Kumamoto fruit at its peak.

【Fruits Marche UFO】 reopened last August after a full renovation, and I had to come check it out!
If you’re exploring the area, the neighboring somen Kawayuka (a riverside flowing-noodle restaurant) and Yuhoen Fruit Land (a fruit-picking farm) are both fantastic too — we’ve covered them in past articles.

After the renovation, the shop was rebranded as Fruits Marche UFO!

Previously, the fruit was sold from a separate location, but the owners wanted to make it easier for everyone to grab fresh fruit and enjoy fruit-based sweets right on the spot — hence the upgrade.

There’s a spacious parking area right in front, just like before.
A quick safety tip: roads run alongside and in front of the shop, so please hold your children’s hands closely when walking outside.

Now let’s step inside! Beside the register you’ll find a beautiful display case, with the fresh fruit market set up in the center of the shop.

Yuhoen Spring-Water Terraced Rice (3 kg) — 1,500 yen
Yuhoen Special Yuzu Kosho (citrus chili paste) — 600 yen
The yuzu kosho was so delicious I bought a jar to take home!

They also sell daidai citrus ponzu sauce and locally roasted coffee.

Strawberry Jam made with Yuhoen-grown strawberries — 600 yen

Cookies — 460 yen
These fruit-shaped cookies are absolutely adorable!

Mandarin Karinto (crispy sweet snack) — 350 yen
Okara Cookies (assorted flavors) — 200 yen each

Exciting news about the strawberry tarts on display!

The team behind La vigne (a popular bakery we recently featured) actually worked as pastry chefs at Yuhoen for about 8 years.
By popular demand from fans who missed their tarts, the original recipe has made a comeback!

If you’re curious what kind of tart inspires that much loyalty — or you’ve never tried it but feel intrigued — come see (and taste) for yourself!

These butter sandwich cookies are a Yuhoen original!
Flavors: strawberry, apricot, rum raisin (contains alcohol), fig, blueberry — 230 yen each
They can be packaged in gift boxes too, making them a perfect Japanese souvenir.

The center of the store is filled with seasonal Yuhoen-grown fruit.
Right now, the spotlight is on citrus and strawberries.

On this day, packs were going for 500 yen and 850 yen.

They even offered a tasting set with two premium strawberry varieties — Koi-minori and Beni-hoppe — so I grabbed one!

They also offer fruit shipping anywhere in Japan!

Locally grown navel oranges from Shirahama, Kawachi-machi.

Sweet Spring, Amanatsu, and Tsunozomi were three citrus varieties even I’d never heard of before!

Yuhoen Kawachi Mikan (3 kg) — 1,000 yen
Kawachi is famous nationwide for its mikan (mandarin oranges)!

If 3 kg is too much, you can also buy mikan by weight in smaller portions.

Beautiful gift-quality boxes are available too!

Karin (Japanese quince) and Jabara citrus.
Every variety has helpful descriptions, so it’s easy to learn what’s what.

Imperfect (but delicious!) Mikan — 1,000 yen

Free mikan samples too — what a treat!

Now let’s check out the cafe menu!
Before the renovation they served savory dishes too, but now the menu focuses solely on sweets and drinks.
For a meal, head next door to somen Kawayuka!

Hot Chocolate — 450 yen

Soft Serve Vanilla — 390 yen
Fresh Strawberry Soft Serve — 430 yen
Mixed Soft Serve — 440 yen
The fruit flavor of the soft serve changes with the seasons!

Fruit Sundaes (assorted) — from 500 yen
Fruit Shakes (assorted) — 500 yen

Strawberry Chocolate Parfait — 800 yen
Strawberry Mille-feuille Parfait — 1,000 yen

As Yuhoen’s other fruits come into season, exciting new parfaits will join the menu!
During my visit they mentioned a citrus parfait was on the way — it might be available right now!

Strawberry Parfait — 1,700 yen
This parfait packs in more than a whole pack of strawberries!

Now let’s talk seating!
As the weather warms up, the terrace seats are becoming the most popular spot.

The sofa seats come with cozy blankets you’re free to use.

These seats by the windows offer beautiful views and warm sunshine.

Help yourself to water and any utensils you need from this self-serve area.

Once you’ve finished, please return your tray here.

Must-Try Menu Items at Fruits Marche UFO

By now, I bet you’re hungry for something amazing!
The Strawberry Parfait!!

Let’s start with the Mille-feuille Parfait!

First — just look at it!
Modern Japanese parfaits are seriously next-level when it comes to presentation!

Below the mille-feuille hides creamy custard and vanilla ice cream.
The thick puff pastry is wonderfully crisp with a rich, buttery flavor!

Now for the showstopper that just debuted on February 10 — the Strawberry Parfait!
With more than a whole pack of strawberries inside, this is less of a parfait and more of a strawberry lover’s dream!

My son even managed to put away two strawberries himself!

Just look at it!
Drizzled with rich, melty chocolate sauce!
That flowing chocolate is irresistible!

And as I dug deeper, I was honestly stunned.

You can probably guess what I’m about to say, but I’ll say it anyway:
It was strawberries all the way down!!
If you thought “more than a whole pack” sounded like an exaggeration — it absolutely wasn’t!

One important note about this incredible strawberry parfait:
Because each one uses so many strawberries, it’s only available through the end of March, and once strawberry season slows down, they won’t be able to make it anymore.
The Mille-feuille Parfait and Strawberry Chocolate Parfait will still be on the menu, but if you want the original Strawberry Parfait, don’t wait too long!

The mornings tend to be the quietest, so that’s a great time to visit.

Come treat yourself to this strawberry-packed parfait while it’s still in season!

Yuhoen Fruit Land (Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) — Try trout fishing using fish sausage as bait, perfect for first-timers!

somen Kawayuka (Kawachi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City) — Flowing somen noodles on a riverside terrace with a variety of dipping sauces!

 

La vigne (Aitomi-machi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City) — A beloved little countryside cake shop with treats for kids and adults alike

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