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Nature, Hot Springs, and Delicious Foods!
Surrounded by mountains in the southern part of the prefecture, the Kuma area in Hitoyoshi city (Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu) is famous for its hot springs and river rafting along the Kuma River, and once prospered as a castle town. The area is known for Aoi Aso Shrine, the only national treasure in Kumamoto Prefecture, and was also recognized as “Japan’s richest hidden village” in 2015.
The area was hit by a heavy rain disaster in July 2020. As of March 2022, the main part of the city has been reconstructed and the beautiful riverside scenery has returned.
The beautiful Kuma river (photo: September 2021)
Aiming for recovery after the heavy rain disaster, the area has been promoting its tourism under the theme of “wellness x sustainable”. In terms of food, various restaurants and accommodation facilities have been working on local production for local consumption and vegan-friendly menus.
The area has been blessed with the blessing of the earth. The local chef uses local foods with traditional cooking methods to create delicate splendid dishes carefully. Kumashochu, the traditional shochu in the region, is also vegan-friendly and can be enjoyed with meals.
*Shochu is a Japanese distilled beverage. It is typically distilled from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar.
The foods offered to vary depending on the season, but today we will introduce restaurants and accommodations that work on vegan foods in the Hitoyoshi Kuma area.
1. Hotel & Ryokan Ayunosato (Ryokan With Hot Spring)
Vegan sushi (the topping vary in each season)
- Facility’s Name
- Hotel & Ryokan Ayunosato
- Address
- 30 Kokonokamachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0004
- TEL
- 0966-22-2171
- Official Website
- https://www.ayunosato.jp/
- Facebook Page
- https://www.facebook.com/ayunosato/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ayunosato-hitoyoshi-197735
2. Hotel Sun Hitoyoshi (Hotel)
Vegan breakfast
- Facility’s Name
- Hotel Sun Hitoyoshi
- Address
- 166 Kamiaoimachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0005
- TEL
- 0966-22-7741
- Official Website
- https://www.sunhitoyoshi.jp/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/hotel-sun-hitoyoshi-270382
3. Himawari Tei (Japanese Food)
ヴィーガン和定食
- Facility’s Name
- Himawari Tei
- Address
- 1880-2 Yaguromachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0075
- TEL
- 0966-22-1044
- Official Website
- https://himawari-tei.com/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/himawari-tei-hitoyoshi-262460
4. Buono Buono (Italian)
Vegan pizza
- Facility’s Name
- Buono Buono
- Address
- 870 Kamisatsumazemachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0013
- TEL
- 0966-24-4522
- Official Website
- http://www.la-company.com/buonobuono/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/buono-buono-hitoyoshi-286381
5. Imotakonankin (Teppanyaki)
Vegan teppanyaki
- Facility’s Name
- Imotakonankin
- Address
- 67 Koyamachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0003
- TEL
- 0966-22-7262
- Official Website
- https://www.takunomi.style/shop/imotaakonankin/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/imo-tako-nankin-hitoyoshi-286384
6. Tempura Koryouri Rakuten (Tempura)
Vegan tempura
- Facility’s Name
- Tempura Koryouri Rakuten
- Address
- 180-22 Kamiaoimachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0005
- TEL
- 0966-22-9381
- Official Website
- https://www.higonavi.net/shop/shop.shtml?s=1849
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/tempura-rakuten-hitoyoshi-290842
7. Oyaji no Gankotofu (Tofu Shop)
Vegan hamburger (ganko burger)
- Facility’s Name
- Oyaji no Ganko Tofu
- Address
- 2740-1 Yourahigashi, Sagara, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0101
- TEL
- 0966-36-0141
- Official Website
- https://gankotofu.com/
- Facebook Page
- https://www.facebook.com/oyajinogankotoufu/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/fathers-ganko-tofu-sagara-270381
8. Hikoroku (Japanese Food)
Vegan set meal
- Facility’s Name
- Hikoroku
- Address
- 1497-13 Honcho, Asagiri, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0408
- TEL
- 0966-45-1020
- Official Website
- https://www.town.asagiri.lg.jp/q/aview/646/12465.html
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/hikoroku-kumamoto-274401
Vegan-Certified Kumashochu
Vegan-certified Kumashochu
- Facility’s Name
- Hayashi Sake Brewery
- Address
- 3092 Yunomae, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0601
- TEL
- 0966-43-2020
- Official Website
- https://kumashochu.or.jp/product/hayashi/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/gokuraku-shochu-yunomae-262466
- Facility’s Name
- Sengetsu Sake Brewery
- Address
- 1 Shinmachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0052
- TEL
- 0966-22-3207
- Official Website
- http://www.sengetsu.co.jp/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/sengetsu-shochu-brewing-hitoyoshi-290839
- Facility’s Name
- Fukano Sake Brewery
- Address
- 333 Gonoharumachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0026
- TEL
- 0120-362-900
- Official Website
- https://www.shop-fukano.jp/
- Happy Cow
- On applying
- Facilty’s Name
- Yamatoichi Sake Brewery
- Address
- 2144 Shimobayashimachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0083
- TEL
- 0966-22-2610
- Official Website
- https://www.yamato1.com/
- Happy Cow
- On applying
Itsukiya Honpo (Souvenir Shop)
- Facility’s Name
- Itsukiya Honpo
- Address
- 635-3 Hei, Itsuki, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture 〒868-0203
- TEL
- 0966-37-2022
- Official Website
- https://itsukiyahonpo.co.jp/
- Happy Cow
- https://www.happycow.net/reviews/japan-itsuki-270378
