About the Shop

Hello, travelers!

It’s Binako, your Sarukuma writer with a perpetually stiff back and shoulder blades!

Today I’m introducing a hidden gem located in Tsuboi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City:
Nakamura Dango Shop (中村だんご店).

A Paradise for Sweet Tooths

If you have a sweet tooth, Nakamura Dango is an absolute must-visit during your stay in Kumamoto.

Parking is available with 2 spaces total — one right next to the shop and another diagonally across the street.

Inside, the showcase is filled with beautifully arranged traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi).

Three types of wagashi are always on display:

Ohagi (sweet rice ball with red bean paste) — 80 yen

Amigasa Dango (woven-hat shaped dango) — 80 yen

Azuma Dango (skewered dango with sweet bean paste) — 80 yen

Hold on a second.
Everything is just 80 yen — isn’t that incredibly cheap?
Nakamura Dango is wonderfully easy on your wallet, perfect for budget-conscious travelers.

And here’s the seasonal special:
Salted Kinako Ohagi (with roasted soybean flour) — 80 yen

Even this seasonal treat is only 80 yen.
The pricing is almost unbelievably generous.

They also offer Sekihan (Japanese red bean rice) — 350 yen, a traditional celebratory dish.

Good news for international visitors — the shop accepts mobile Pay services and credit cards, so there’s no need to worry if you’re short on Japanese yen!

Recommended Menu

This time, I tried one of every type!

First up, the classic ohagi.

Whoever first thought to combine sticky rice with sweet red bean paste was an absolute genius!

The texture of the rice grains and the gentle, never-too-sweet azuki bean flavor
burst with every bite — pure bliss.
The whole azuki beans give it a delightful texture too.

Next, the seasonal salted kinako ohagi.

Kinako (roasted soybean flour) is already amazing on its own,
but salted kinako? It’s downright sinful — in the best way!

The hint of salt complements the nutty fragrance of the kinako beautifully — a totally different flavor experience from regular ohagi, and absolutely delicious.

Next, the amigasa dango.

The chewy, mochi-like dough paired with smooth koshi-an (strained red bean paste) is reliably delicious — comforting and warming to the soul.

Finally, the azuma dango.

The generous coating of sweet bean paste pairs perfectly with the springy, bouncy dango.

Because the sweetness is wonderfully restrained, even visitors who normally find Japanese sweets too sugary will find these easy to enjoy.

With such reasonable prices and consistently delicious dango, Nakamura Dango is the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.

The shop staff are also wonderfully cheerful and welcoming.

If you’re exploring Kumamoto, definitely stop by and treat yourself to authentic Japanese wagashi at unbeatable prices!

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information was current at the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.