Welcome to Kakure Sabou Chakura Cafe

Hello, this is Suno, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m taking you to Kurahara, Aso City, to visit
【Kakure Sabou Chakura Cafe】.I booked the 11:00 slot and was the very first customer of the day ♪
The stacks of firewood out front feel wonderfully Aso-like.

There’s a gravel parking lot that fits about 10 cars.
Step through the entrance into Kakure Sabou Chakura Cafe and…you’ll find three table seats at the front,along with warm wooden children’s chairs and extra seating.The window seats inside Kakure Sabou Chakura Cafe offer breathtaking views of the Aso mountain range.Families with kids will love the tatami room ♪There’s also a clean Western-style restroom.
Wait — is that a tiny secret door?Beyond it lies an absolutely charming hidden space~It was snowing and freezing the day I visited, but this fireplace warmed both my body and my soul ♪There’s another fireplace right by the entrance, so the whole interior stays toasty.Now let’s head back to that hidden room and climb the stairs…And what do you know — pristine white beds appear ♪Keep going and you’ll find a serene, modern Japanese-style tatami room.Wait — there’s even a washroom and bath?!
What is this magical place, you ask?

This is “Chakura no Yado” — a one-group-per-day private inn upstairs at Chakura Cafe, set inside a beautifully renovated 150-year-old storehouse.

The room’s windows command sweeping views of Aso’s stunning landscape, and at night you can gaze up at a sky filled with stars… pure luxury.

And there’s more! The barrel sauna even comes with its own pool!
Imagine “totonou” (the Japanese ritual of finding bliss after sauna) while soaking in untouched nature ♪

You can also gaze out at Daikanbo (one of Aso’s most iconic viewpoints) while you sweat it out.
On cold winter evenings, a bonfire is the perfect finishing touch.

The original beams and pillars have been preserved, creating a modern space with a magical, otherworldly atmosphere.Even the fridge and kitchen blend in stylishly with the décor, almost playing hide-and-seek.
The terrace can also be used for barbecues.

Dining on dishes crafted by the owner-chef using locally sourced ingredients is a treat in itself.

Recommended Menu at Kakure Sabou Chakura Cafe

Back to lunch — and the menu deliberation begins.A choice of set drinks comes with every lunch, which is a lovely touch~We started with appetizers served in beautiful tableware.The soup, made with parmesan cheese and egg, was gentle and warming~And here’s the main!

Akaushi Beef and Mozzarella in Pastry — ¥2,000

Crispy, flaky, and served with bread on the side ♪

Limited to just 8 servings a day — and it’s the dish I order again and again. My absolute favorite!Next up, the Blue Crab Rich Tomato Cream Pasta Set — ¥1,600

The sauce is so rich, you’ll want to dip the bread into it.
It has a slight kick of spice, so be careful when sharing with little ones.Then comes the Higo Akaushi Japanese Ragu — ¥2,000

Slow-simmered Akaushi (Kumamoto’s prized red beef) with aromatic vegetables — it pairs perfectly with rice, which is included!And finally, the Higo Akaushi Steak Rice Bowl — ¥2,200

The charcoal-grilled sirloin is a star of course, but the freshly pickled takana mustard greens and gooey onsen-style soft-boiled egg were equally outstanding!

If you’re dining with kids or aren’t a fan of rare meat, just ask the staff — they’ll happily adjust.
This one’s also limited to 10 servings, so coming early and aiming for the limited menu items is a smart move!

They’ll even lend you adorable kids’ plates ♪For dessert, I picked the chocolate cookie cafe latte.

It arrived with stunning latte art that absolutely made my day!Essential oils are also for sale at the register.

I left fully satisfied, and on my way out I spotted…A photo stand!!
Set your phone on it, hit the timer, and capture the perfect Instagram shot in front of the cafe entrance~

The dessert menu is also fantastic, so be sure to drop by during your Aso drive and savor a meal surrounded by spectacular nature ♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is based on the time of the visit. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.