Hi, I’m Shenny!
After visiting Aso Shrine, most people head straight into the bustling shopping street in front—but did you know? If you take a different turn, you’ll discover cozy local spots that offer a slower, more authentic taste of Aso life. Some are so hidden, even locals have only recently started talking about them.
Here’s our curated map of “off-the-beaten-path but worth a visit” shops, recommended by Michi-no-Eki Aso staff and Aso residents:
🥮 Tashiroya たしろや – Classic Dorayaki-Style Red Bean Cakes
A must-visit for traditional Japanese sweets lovers.
Tashiroya serves a fluffy, generously-filled red bean cake that sits somewhere between dorayaki and imagawayaki. Two flavors are available: azuki red bean and chestnut.
✨ What’s amazing: These handmade treats have remained just ¥100 each for years, never increasing in price—making this the ultimate local sweet deal!
🥛 Tateoka Tofu Store – Pure Tofu Made with Aso’s Spring Water
A hidden gem adored by locals and vegetarians alike.
Thanks to Aso’s exceptionally pure spring water, this tofu shop produces amazingly smooth and flavorful tofu.
Must-Try Items:
- Soy Milk Ice Cream – Light, refreshing, and free of any beany aftertaste
- Soy Milk Donuts – Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside
- Tofu Set Meal (Teishoku) – A wholesome, satisfying vegetarian meal packed with variety
🏫 Kanzarashi & Café “Yui” – Located in a Former All-Girls Sewing School
This nostalgic café is located inside an old wooden school building—naturally cool in summer and warm in winter. The highlight? The kitchen uses natural spring water flowing through bamboo tubes to chill their handmade rice dumplings.
Special Dumplings:
- White = classic flavor
- Green = made with wild herbs that only grow near pristine rivers, with a light, grassy aroma
- Low in sweetness, super chewy, and a pure expression of water and rice
More than just a sweet treat—this is a quiet celebration of space, water, and time.
☕ Café Time in the Former School Building – Local Favorites
▸ TIEN TIEN aso
Enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee inside a beautifully preserved wooden schoolhouse.
▸ komeko
A gluten-free chiffon cake café that uses100% locally-grown Kumamoto rice flour. Rumor has it, this is a favorite hangout spot for Ando-san from Michi-no-Eki Aso!
🛍 Bonus: Underrated Shops on the Main Street You Might Miss
- Aso Yakusou-en (Herb & Tea Garden)：Explore over 35 types of herbal teas, all made from local wild plants. You’ll also find seasonal desserts and curated tea sets—perfect for wellness lovers.
- Aso Pastry Workshop：Specializes in ice cream cream puffs—crispy shells filled with creamy, icy goodness.
- Marukake Coffee：A tiny but charming fusion spot serving handmade rice balls, pour-over coffee, and cool drinks.
Add These to Your Aso Travel Itinerary!
These lesser-known spots not only offer great food and drinks, but also a deeper connection to Aso’s natural beauty and relaxed rhythm of life. Perfect for travelers who want to go beyond the tourist trail and taste the real Aso
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