Welcome to Boketto

Hello, fellow travelers! 😊

It’s Yuzu here from Sarukuma 😄

Today I’m taking you to one of the most enchanting hidden gems in Kumamoto Prefecture —
《Boketto》, located in Nishihara Village, Aso District ⭐︎

Opened on June 5, this beautifully designed complex is a fusion of restaurant, lifestyle shop, and rental spaces 😊

And it is seriously, jaw-droppingly stylish 🌟

The moment you step onto the grounds, you feel like you’ve wandered into a storybook world!
The scattered fallen leaves give the whole place a wistful, autumnal atmosphere 🍂

Wait — a hammock! 😍
Of course I had to try it 😆

Isn’t there something thrilling about climbing into a hammock as an adult? It really tests your sense of balance ⭐︎

Not just adults — kids absolutely love it too!

Following the little path further along…

…we discovered the rental spaces ⭐︎
On the day we visited, a dried-flower artisan was running a pop-up shop here 😄

Boketto offers several rental spaces, so if you’re curious about visiting artisans, check the website before your trip 😊

The shop was run by a lovely couple, and we had such a fun time chatting with them.

They gifted us some dried hydrangea and a pinecone 🥰

They even taught me some clever ways to display them at home — total game-changer 😄

A little further down, another gorgeous building came into view!

This one is…

The lifestyle boutique “clamp”

It’s packed with beautifully curated homeware and accessories ⭐︎
And the prices are surprisingly reasonable!

Just one of these pieces at home and
your interior instantly levels up!

My friend was completely smitten with the tableware — she’s already planning her return visit 😀

Lately, the more I’ve explored cafes and restaurants, the more I appreciate just how much the right plate or bowl can elevate a meal ⭐︎ Even a single piece can completely transform the mood of your dish 😊

Tucked further in is bistro Garden
A brand-new spot that just opened on November 16.

You can dine in here, of course,

or grab freshly baked bread to take away,

and they even sell locally grown vegetables 😄
Now, on to today’s main destination —

Organic Restaurant ar ⭐︎
The chef here previously ran the well-known city restaurant Dorobushi ☺️
Let’s head inside — GO! GO!!!!!

Right inside the entrance, you’ll find a beautiful open kitchen ⭐︎
The wine glasses suspended overhead give the whole space a sophisticated, grown-up atmosphere 🌟

Inside, four massive wooden columns anchor the room.
These pillars are actually trees that were felled when the restaurant was built — repurposed and standing proudly in their original form.
A beautiful tribute to the land they came from ⭐︎

There’s a generously sized communal table,

and cozy sofa seating too — every table seems thoughtfully designed in its own way ☺️

Many of the tableware items used in the restaurant are also available for purchase ♪

Even the hand towels here are stylish 🥰

Now, let’s take a peek at the menu!

ar Salad with Organic Seasonal Vegetables — ¥1,300
House-Made Bacon, Spinach & Mushroom Salad with Nuts — ¥1,400
Grilled Seasonal Vegetables with Avocado Dip & Balsamic Sauce — ¥1,400
Fluffy Grilled Hokkaido Potatoes with Rosemary & Garlic Oil — ¥1,000
White Mushrooms with a Snowfall of Parmesan — ¥1,200

You can enjoy organic vegetables prepared as fresh salads or perfectly grilled.
It’s the kind of menu that lets the natural flavor of each vegetable truly shine!

And the dessert menu…

Vanilla Ice Cream with Cinnamon & Ginger Tea Powder — ¥600
Seasonal Vegetable & Fruit Ice Cream — ¥600
Original Pound Cake — ¥500 / Sweet of the Day — ¥600
Silky Pudding on Coffee Jelly — ¥500
Seasonal Fruit Parfait — ¥1,200

Even the sweeteners are natural — ar’s commitment to organic ingredients runs all the way through ⭐︎

This is just a glimpse of the menu — there are also meat dishes, seafood, bread, rice options and more ☺️

Our Recommended Pick

This time, I went for the Pound Cake (¥500) 🥰

One bite in, and I literally couldn’t stop smiling 😂
Because seriously — it’s exactly the flavor I love 😍

It has this nostalgic, gentle sweetness! And — wait for it —
the marmalade on the side is absolutely incredible!!!
This marmalade is no supporting act — it’s a star in its own right!

Funny enough, I used to dislike marmalade as a kid in school lunches, but as an adult, I’ve completely fallen for that bittersweet harmony 🤣

I’m pretty sure this marmalade is also for sale at the boutique ☺️

There’s also outdoor seating 🍂
On a sunny day, dining al fresco here would be absolutely lovely 😀

I cannot recommend this place enough — please add Boketto to your Kumamoto travel itinerary!

Follow us on Instagram for daily updates!
Sarukuma shares lunch spots, parks, indoor playgrounds, and more for families exploring Kumamoto.
Thank you for following along (*´∀｀*)

Frequently Asked Questions

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