Some Kumamoto Sweets Shops

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Nakamura Dango
A Japanese confectionery shop that has been featured on television.
We had heard that the dango at this store sells out by lunchtime, and that was indeed the case. When we arrived in the evening, there was a sign in the display case saying, "We are sold out for today."
The price is 90 yen each. Cheap! We were curious about these dango.
Shop Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aaRVjKyYGYTuWz1f7

This shop was introduced as one of the tourist spots on the official Kumamoto Prefecture tourism website.
https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/19919 (in Japanese)
According to the official tourism website, the shop has been in business for over 113 years.

The next morning, we tried again. We went there around opening time (8:30am). The owner who came out was a very friendly guy.
We were able to buy some dango.
They look just like traditional dango. We were surprised to find that each one costs just 90 yen including tax.
The dangos were very delicious.

As we were leaving the store, we saw a young couple walking towards us, looking at a map on their smartphones.
They were foreigners, and seemed to have come to buy some dango. Even though the dango shop is located off a main road, it seems to be popular with tourists too.


Horaku Manju
We went to Kamidori to buy some Horaku Manju, which we feel is the soul food of the people of Kumamoto.
The shop is also featured on the official Kumamoto Prefecture tourism website.
https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/9084 (in Japanese)
There is a line in front of the store every day. We joined the line and bought both the white and black bean paste versions of Horaku Manju (currently 110 yen each, tax included). Both are delicious.
Shop Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fyHRvrEKaFb7aJGS9


Shoyo-ken
As a Japanese confectionery shop, Shoyoken is also featured in the Kumamoto sweets section of the official Kumamoto Prefecture tourism website.
https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/20409 (in Japanese)
This shop started in 1910, so it has been in business for about 115 years.
The newly developed #ZOKKON scones are popular, so we bought some. They look amazing. All the scones were delicious.
Shop Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dbMuJozkhjnnBHXo7


Tenmeido
The official tourism website states that this shop has been in business since the Edo period.
https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/12751 (in Japanese)

Shop Locaiton: https://maps.app.goo.gl/at9i8N9ogabkTeni7

The shop is located in the Kawajiri district of Kumamoto City. This area has flourished as a port town since the Kamakura period. I took a quick look around the shop and was drawn in. I hope to find an opportunity someday to explore the area at my leisure.

The atmosphere of the shop was good. But even more than that, the female staff was very friendly and nice. Because of this, we were tempted to buy a lot, but since there are just the two of us, we decided to buy just a little.
My wife only ate the cheese bun, and according to her food review, she said it was "not too sweet, but delicious." My wife doesn't usually praise sweets, so I think it must be really delicious.
We are now going to try the famous "Sake Castella", which is also featured on the official tourist website.
　

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