Welcome to Minakuru Shop Asuka

Hello travelers!
This is Maru, a writer for Sarukuma 🙂🙃

Today we’re heading to Toyofuku, Matsubase-machi, Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, to visit
“Minakuru Shop Asuka” — a hidden gem worth discovering!

While driving through the Uki City area, I spotted a curious little shop that immediately caught my eye — so I had to stop in and take a look!

It turns out this is a wonderful select shop carrying products from welfare facilities across Kumamoto and beyond, locally grown vegetables, and handmade crafts!
Think of it as a charming, miniature local goods market.

The shop is located right next to a welfare facility, and many of the people working there are facility users — a lovely community-driven atmosphere.

The parking lot is spacious and easy to navigate — plenty of room to pull right in!

Wait… is someone sitting in the back?

Meet the watchful “Voyant”!

Sporting cool sunglasses with legs crossed in style — though the feet don’t quite reach the ground (haha)!
Apparently, lots of visitors love snapping a souvenir photo with this quirky little mascot 😆

In the building beside the shop, rows and rows of dried persimmons (hoshigaki) hung beautifully from the rafters!
This quintessentially Japanese winter scene was so picturesque — a perfect seasonal moment that warmed my heart (^O^)

The owner mentioned they might sell the finished persimmons at the shop — something to look forward to! ✨

Inside the shop, you’ll find local vegetables, handmade Japanese pickles (tsukemono), and so much more…

You’ll also find baked goods from the local Ogawa Pan bakery, premium eggs, shiso (perilla) juice concentrate, retort curry pouches, bo-ramen (stick noodles), and a variety of unique products!

Here’s a craft beer from Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture — COEDO Beer 🍺

This unique sweet-potato-based brew is one of the shop’s recommended picks!

There’s also a wonderful selection of products made from igusa (rush grass) — Kumamoto’s specialty material.
This is a DIY kit to make your own colorful igusa broom! ✨
And at just 350 yen, the price is amazing! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

You’ll also discover handmade candles, accessories, and an array of crafty goodies lined up beautifully.
It’s pure joy just browsing the shelves!

There’s even a stuff-as-many-as-you-can deal on work gloves for 100 yen — perfect for a Japanese-style year-end deep clean (^ ^)

Recommended Picks at Minakuru Shop Asuka

Here’s what I picked up on this visit!

Pudding, Anpanman-shaped bread from Ogawa Pan, retort curry, mikan (mandarin oranges), and fresh local spinach 🥬

The shop’s top seller — handmade Ukiuki Pudding for just 150 yen!

No additives, no artificial flavors — perfectly safe and wholesome for kids 👦👧

Made with natural eggs from Nishibaru Farm, you can really taste the quality of the ingredients and the love poured into every bite 😍

And here’s the famous Anpanman bread from “Ogawa Pan,” a beloved bakery in Uki City (o’o’o)

Crafted with carefully selected ingredients and natural yeast, this gentle, fluffy bread will give you 100x the courage — just like Anpanman himself! 💓💞

I’d love to visit the bakery itself someday too!

This beef curry is made by a welfare facility in Nara Prefecture.

Loaded with hearty chunks of beef, it has a bold, spicy, authentic flavor that’s seriously satisfying!

There are plenty more intriguing finds waiting inside — be sure to drop by if you spot this little shop! 😆😆

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.