Introducing Organic Restaurant Mashira

Hello travelers! It’s Aikero, your Sarukuma writer — these days it seems to take me longer and longer to shake off a cold.

Today I’m excited to introduce a wonderful spot in Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District:
【Organic Restaurant Mashira】.
Kosa Town’s Tanida Hospital has opened a community-rooted complex built around the concept of “a facility set inside a park.”
The full grand opening is planned for around April. For now, only the cafe-restaurant and day-service center are up and running.
The entire grounds feel like a park nestled in nature, and a therapeutic-care facility and library are scheduled to open here in the future too.

At the restaurant, you can enjoy a buffet built around vegetables grown right here in Kosa Town.
Dine in at the restaurant, or grab takeout and enjoy a picnic on the park-like grounds.
The whole place is designed around the idea that “anyone is free to spend time here however they like” — it’s the kind of cozy spot that just melts your stress away! ♪
It’s about a 20-minute drive from AEON Mall Kumamoto.
Once you turn at the Kamishima intersection in Kashima Town, just keep going straight — even first-timers should find it without getting lost.
For extra peace of mind, search “Organic Restaurant Mashira” on Google Maps and let it navigate you there ♪

The restaurant sits next to Kosa Elementary School, but it’s tucked just off the main road.
There’s no signboard out front, so use this hair salon as your landmark and turn right (yes — I drove right past it the first time, ha!).
Once you make that turn, the parking lot will appear on your left.
It’s nice and spacious — easy to park, and a real lifesaver for families lugging around lots of gear!
Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a completely different world!
The complex was designed by the same architect behind Yamaboshi-no-Ki, a beloved cafe in Kosa Town.
With trees all around, even just walking through the grounds melted away my everyday fatigue and lifted my spirits.

【Yamaboshi-no-Ki】Heartwarming food served inside a renovated Meiji-era building 《Itoda, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District》

The building on the right of the entrance is the day-service center.
And just beyond it — a giraffe!
Kids are sure to love it ♪
When they say “park,” don’t expect playground equipment — this is a space designed for kids to play freely while connecting with nature.
The outdoor landscaping is still a work in progress, but there are already tunnels and little hills to explore.
It’s easy to picture children running around, eyes lit up with joy.
There’s even a water feature, so you really feel close to nature here.
And here’s the library.
It hasn’t opened yet, but I’m told it will be free for anyone to use.
The grounds are so spacious that even adults find themselves wondering, “What’s around the next corner?”
Gather acorns scattered everywhere, get lost in maze-like paths… it’s a real adventure.
Kids can run free here, and I’m definitely planning to bring mine along next time.
I’m not sure yet what’s planned for this corner, but a row of these tiny houses is already adorable just to look at ♡
The full grand opening can’t come soon enough!
The restaurant itself is the building to the left of the giraffe.I love that little flutter of anticipation right before stepping inside, don’t you?
Look closely — the doorknob is shaped like a little monkey!
Apparently “mashira” is an old Japanese word for “monkey.”
I’m not sure if that’s the origin of the restaurant’s name, but I love the playful touch.
The interior is filled with the warmth of natural wood.
Soft sunlight pours in through the large windows — pure bliss.
Seating is table-only.
Strollers are welcome inside, and high chairs are also available for little ones.
The buffet runs for one hour, and pricing is as follows:
・Adults: 1,650 yen
・Elementary school students: 880 yen
・Preschoolers: 330 yen
・Drink bar: 330 yen
・Takeout: 800 yen

There’s no strict last-entry time, but since the restaurant closes at 15:00, I’d recommend arriving by 14:00 to 14:15 at the latest.

Reservations aren’t accepted for tables.
I arrived at around 13:45 on a weekday — there were a few other customers, but I was seated right away.
And if you do have to wait, the kids can play outside while you do — time will fly!

For dinner, the restaurant operates by reservation only.
The evening menu features alcohol, set meals, teppanyaki, and à la carte dishes.
Since the outdoor lighting is still incomplete and it can get quite dark, please take care if you visit at night.

Recommended Menu at Organic Restaurant Mashira

The vegetables here are all grown in Kosa Town — a true farm-to-table, community-rooted restaurant.

The kitchen is clever about preparing the same ingredients in different ways, so nothing feels repetitive.

I happened to snap photos when the buffet was a bit lighter, but staff refill dishes quickly, so don’t worry — there’s always plenty to choose from.
There’s a fantastic variety of side dishes too.
It’s hard to make this many different sides at home, so getting to sample so many flavors in one sitting is a real treat.
Being able to eat as much of this as I want? Heaven. (I’m an eggplant fan!)
There are kid-friendly options on the spread as well.
With a buffet, picky eaters and big eaters alike can take exactly what suits them — a real plus for families.
Alongside Chinese-style twice-cooked pork and hamburg steak, I also spotted Saikyo-yaki salmon (grilled salmon marinated in sweet white miso).
When something fresh hits the buffet, the staff stops by every table to announce it: “The XX is ready!”
Once you hear that, you have to try it!
On the day I visited, dago-jiru (a hearty Kumamoto soup with hand-rolled wheat dumplings and vegetables) was on offer, but on other days you might find curry instead.
If you choose takeout, you can pack as much as you want into the bento container, plus dago-jiru and rice are included as a bonus!

“Some guests with kids who want to play outside take their food to-go and eat on the grounds,” the staff told me.
It’s a nice flexibility — you can pick dine-in or takeout based on the mood and your kids’ energy levels that day.
There’s white rice,
pilaf, and vegetable tempura too.
And of course, sweets to round out the meal ♡
Everything is self-serve, so don’t forget to grab water and tableware too.
And here’s the gorgeous one-plate spread I built ♡
The drink bar features mikan (mandarin orange) juice, apple juice, and coffee.

From every seat in the house, you get views of the lush grounds outside.
The fresh-out-of-the-kitchen dishes are warm, and every bite is delicious!
The tempura selection included baby corn, lotus root, and burdock root, served with sansho-pepper salt.
It’s a buffet, so of course I went back for seconds ♪
Eating so many vegetables in one sitting feels genuinely nourishing — like I’m being kind to my body.
Dago-jiru is one of my all-time favorites!
The chewy hand-rolled dumplings are wonderfully filling and left me completely satisfied.
…and yet, I still made room for dessert. Ha!
The portion sizes are spot-on for satisfying that “I’m full but I want something sweet with a coffee” craving!

“Here, you’re free to spend your time however you like.”
This is a restaurant that welcomes everyone.
Linger over a leisurely meal indoors, grab takeout for a picnic on the grounds, or simply come by to enjoy the park.

Modern life keeps us racing against the clock and worrying about how we look to others.
Whether you’re traveling with kids or solo, this is a place to forget all that, do what feels right, and let your wings stretch wide.

【Yamaboshi-no-Ki】Heartwarming food served inside a renovated Meiji-era building 《Itoda, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District》

【Dining Space Randoki, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District】A hidden cafe with Showa-era charm

【Yoridokoro Engawa, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District】One visit will win you over ♫ Enjoy a soul-soothing lunch at this old-house cafe in Kosa Town

【New Old, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District】A simple, curated select space

【BlueMarble, Kosa Town, Kamimashiki District】Chiffon cake at just 150 yen a slice!! Did you know Kosa Town has a word-of-mouth-favorite chiffon cake shop that sells out by noon?

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Frequently Asked Questions

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