Welcome to Kikusuido Honten

Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Igaguri 🌰, your Sarukuma writer.

Today I’m taking you to a hidden gem in Takase, Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture — “Kikusuido Honten”, a traditional Japanese sweets shop that’s been delighting locals for generations.

Look for the colorful, Instagram-worthy ice pop photos out front — that’s your sign you’ve arrived!

There’s parking for about 5 cars right in front of the shop.

You can spot “Kin no Waraji” — a place we’ve featured before — just to the back left!

(Kikusuido Honten is on the right side.)

[Izakaya Kin no Waraji] They invented a drive-thru!? A family-friendly izakaya beloved by locals in Takase, Tamana City

Here’s a peek inside the shop! (^^)/

I have to admit — the cozy atmosphere of a traditional wagashi shop just gets more charming with every passing year.

Their signature “Choja Manju” (now with an improved, longer shelf life), Coffee Choja Manju, and Tabarazaka all look absolutely irresistible 🤤

Dorayaki and Toragyaki pancakes too!

Oh my, I can hardly resist.
I finally understand how Doraemon feels about dorayaki…

The Black Warabi Mochi comes in such elegant packaging — it would make a wonderful gift for someone special! (^^♪

The summer-only Kuzukiri (chilled arrowroot noodles) looks so refreshing — even just looking at the picture cools you down.

When I dropped by before the Obon holidays, they also had delicious Rakugan (pressed sugar sweets) on offer!

Must-Try Menu Items at Kikusuido Honten

There are honestly too many tempting items to mention them all, but…

The real showstopper has to be this gorgeous ice pop corner!

Wasanbon (premium Japanese sugar)
Orange Kiwi
Matcha Milk
Luxurious Matcha
Tamana Strawberry
Matcha Strawberry
Mixed Fruit
Grape Pineapple
Yuzu Amazake

So many choices!
How do you even pick just one?!

And now they have shaved ice (kakigori) too!

Oh no, what to choose?

In the end, I went for the Aigake Shaved Ice (matcha & milk double topping) for 700 yen and a Wasanbon Ice Pop for 350 yen ♡

The matcha is so fragrant and rich!

So delicious!!

The staff kindly provided extra small plates and spoons for sharing!

…although my child claimed the entire ice pop for themselves!

There’s a thin layer of gyuhi (soft mochi) tucked inside.

By the way, “Wasanbon” refers to a fine, traditional Japanese brown sugar — and the ice pop itself has a creamy milk flavor (^^)/

The eat-in space has 2 seats at one end of the shop,

plus a 2-person table.

Since it was so hot, I enjoyed my treats inside, but there’s also a traditional engawa (veranda) tatami seating area, plus a charming garden in the back!

And there, you can enjoy beautifully crafted jonamagashi (seasonal artisan sweets) paired with freshly whisked matcha — a true taste of Japan! (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))

Who would have thought there’s a wagashi shop in Tamana famous for ice pops, with eat-in service too! I highly recommend stopping by during your trip to Kumamoto (^_-)-☆

[Izakaya Kin no Waraji] They invented a drive-thru!? A family-friendly izakaya beloved by locals in Takase, Tamana City

Frequently Asked Questions

* Information current as of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.