Local Guide
Take home memories from your trip to Kumamoto: 11 delicious souvenirs from Aso

Aso, surrounded by vast nature and blessed with rich soil and groundwater, is full of delicious foods such as vegetables, meat, and dairy products! We have selected some delicious souvenirs that will allow you to take home the whole charm of Aso. All of the sweets, drinks, food, and seasonings are full of the unique charm of Aso.

No two cookies have the same design! Milk-filled cow-shaped cookies

The boxed version is "Oya Beef", the bottled version is "Veal", and the "Milk Twig" has a mature flavor of cheese and black pepper.
The boxed version is "Oya Beef", the bottled version is "Veal", and the "Milk Twig" has a mature flavor of cheese and black pepper.

The dairy cows at Abe Farm grow up healthy, drinking delicious groundwater in the environment of the majestic grasslands of Mt. Aso. These milk cookies are made with plenty of milk that was awarded three stars by the International Taste Institute, the first in Japan. They are egg-free and have a rich milk flavor.
Each "Oya Cow" is hand-made, and just like the dairy cows, no two pieces have the same pattern. There are also cute bottled calves and "Milk Twigs" that make great snacks. In addition, be sure to try dairy products such as "ASOMILK Pasteurized Milk" and "Drinkable Yogurt," which are bottled two hours after milking.

[Product name and price] "Aso's grassland flying cow cookies 9 cows" 880 yen, "Aso's grassland flying cow cookies with calf in a jar" (68g) 550 yen, "Aso's grassland milk sprig" (42g) 550 yen, "ASO MILK pasteurized milk" (900ml, 840 yen), "Drinkable yogurt" (200ml, 250 yen)
*Prices as of August 2022
[Best before date] (Cookies) Approximately 2 months from date of manufacture if unopened, (Milk) Approximately 60 days from date of manufacture if unopened (refrigerated), (Drinkable yogurt) Approximately 14 days from date of manufacture if unopened (refrigerated)
[Stores] ASO MILK FACTORY, Aso Roadside Station, and other local product centers

Comments Local Guide
"ASO MILK FACTORY" is the flagship store of Abe Farm. In addition to the store selling Abe Farm's dairy products and specialty souvenirs from all over Aso, it also has a cafe popular for its milk sweets, a cheese factory, and Restaurant, making it a very appealing place!
ASO MILK FACTORY (Hanaasobi)
  • URLhttps://asomilk.com/?mode=f3
  • 住所781, Orito, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 10 minutes by car from JR Aso Station
  • 営業時間Shops and cafes: 9:30-18:00, Restaurant 11:00-14:30, Rose Garden Hanaasobi: 9:30-17:00 (Rose Dome only: 10:00-16:30)
    * Temporarily closed from December 1st to mid-April and from August 1st to mid-October for pruning work.
  • 定休日none
  • TEL0967-23-6262
  • 駐車場free

Erupting cupcakes!? Transform them into deliciously gooey treats in the microwave

Apparently, many customers come specifically to try these "erupting sweets." They are especially popular around Valentine's Day.
Apparently, many customers come specifically to try these "erupting sweets." They are especially popular around Valentine's Day.

This beloved confectionery shop in Aso has been in business for over 60 years. Among the wide selection of Western and Japanese sweets, the shop's unique souvenir items are popular. One of the most talked-about products is the "Nakadake Chocolat." It is a couverture chocolate cupcake with mochi inside, which resembles magma, based on the motif of Nakadake, a mountain with a crater among the five peaks of Aso.
It's rich and delicious as it is, but if you heat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds, the mochi inside will pop and "erupt," and the chocolate and mochi will become melty and delicious. It's a souvenir that you can enjoy both the taste and the impression.

[Product name and price] "Nakadake Chocolat" (1 piece) 230 yen, (6 pieces) 1,750 yen
[Best before date] 20 days from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] Kashin Nakamura, Roadside Station Aso

Comments Local Guide
There are also many other unique souvenir sweets that can only be found in Aso, such as the "Aso Karudera Roll" (1,300 yen) made with rice flour, and the "Yudamari Pudding" (230 yen) made with Aso raw milk and inspired by Aso's hot spring.
Nakamura Confectionery
  • URLhttp://www.aso.ne.jp/~nakamura/
  • 住所1490-2 Kurokawa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 5 minutes walk from JR Aso Station
  • 営業時間9:00-19:00 (17:00 on Sundays)
  • 定休日New year holiday season
  • TEL0967-34-0321
  • 駐車場free

A rich, full-bodied fresh cheesecake with a moist and smooth "fresh texture" that will become an addictive taste

"1592 (Higokuni)" is derived from the 1,592m elevation of Mount Aso (Takadake) and the former name of Kumamoto, "Higo Province."
"1592 (Higokuni)" is derived from the 1,592m elevation of Mount Aso (Takadake) and the former name of Kumamoto, "Higo Province."

In the great outdoors of Minamiaso, Kokindo is committed to making sweets that warm the hearts of those who pick them up. The company's long-selling souvenir that you can't miss in Aso is the "Rich Fresh Cheesecake 1592 (Higokuni)".
This moist fresh cheesecake is made with a thin dough of locally produced wheat flour and a filling of homemade cream cheese made with plenty of freshly squeezed Abe Farm's "ASO MILK". The moist and smooth texture is like a cheese terrine, and although it is a baked confectionery, it has an indescribable flavor like a fresh confectionery. It is also delicious when chilled or frozen.

[Product name and price] "Rich Fresh Cheesecake 1592" (6 pieces) 1,188 yen
[Best before date] 45 days from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] Asorindou (Aso Farmland store, inside Milk Farm), Doosnukka (Kusasenri shop), Daikanbo Kanko, Roadside Station Aso-no-Sato Kugino, Senomoto Kogen Resort shop, Roadside Station Oguni, ASO MILK FACTORY, and more.

Comments Local Guide
The company's flagship store, Asorindou, is located inside the Aso Farmland milk farm, where you can enjoy gelato made with ASO MILK. There is also a shop called Kasho Kokondo JR Kumamoto Station Store inside Kumamoto Station!
Asorindo (Kokondo)
  • URLhttp://kokindou.com/
  • 住所Kumamoto Prefecture, Aso-gun, Minamiaso-mura, Kawayo 5579-3 "Aso Farmland" MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 30 minutes by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport
  • 営業時間Weekdays 10:00-16:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:00-17:00
  • 定休日none
  • TEL0967-67-3123
  • 駐車場free

Truly a "drinkable tomato." Sip the rich flavor of tomatoes grown in the Aso soil.

It's delicious to drink as is, and the rich flavor makes it easy to use as a secret ingredient in curry and soup.
It's delicious to drink as is, and the rich flavor makes it easy to use as a secret ingredient in curry and soup.

"Kobo Aso Monogatari" transforms the fresh flavors of vegetables and fruits grown in the rich natural environment of Aso into valuable processed products. In particular, they manufacture many products using tomatoes grown in Aso.
"Aso Monogatari Tomato Juice" is 100% tomato juice made with ripe red Aso tomatoes and no additives, just salt. It is thick and rich, but has no unpleasant flavors, and is simply delicious, just like "drinking tomatoes." It is full of lycopene and dietary fiber, so it makes a great souvenir for health-conscious people.

[Product name and price] "Aso Monogatari Tomato Juice" (720ml) 910 yen, (360ml) 380 yen, (100ml) 300 yen
[Best before date] 1 year from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] Roadside Station Aso, ASO MILK FACTORY, Shikisai Ichinomiya

Comments Local Guide
Another must-have item at "Aso Monogatari" is the "Tomato Puree" (370g, 610 yen). Made by straining tomatoes from Aso, this tomato puree has a rich flavor that enhances the flavor of many different dishes!
Roadside Station Aso
  • URLhttps://www.aso-denku.jp/
  • 住所1440-1 Kurokawa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 40 minutes by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport
  • 営業時間9:00-18:00 (may vary depending on the season)
  • 定休日none
  • TEL0967-35-5088
  • 駐車場free

Give the gift of "Golden Milk" from the rare Guernsey breed, also known as the milk of the nobility.

When you mix the yogurt well, it melts gently and the richness of the milk fills your mouth. It's so delicious you'll want to eat it all the time.
When you mix the yogurt well, it melts gently and the richness of the milk fills your mouth. It's so delicious you'll want to eat it all the time.

A tourist ranch at the foot of the Kuju mountain range. The milk "Golden Milk" is milked from a rare breed of dairy cow called the "Guernsey breed," of which only a few hundred are kept in Japan. It is highly valued as "milk of the nobility" in Europe, and is popular for its rich flavor, slightly sweet, and easy-to-drink taste. It is said that even children who don't like milk can drink this.
In addition, the yogurt made from this golden milk has a rich, creamy, and elegant texture that is sure to please. Many customers buy it in bulk at the shop on the farm.

[Product name and price] "Guernsey Milk" (900ml) 1,080 yen, (500ml) 600 yen, "Yogurt" (90g) 130 yen
[Best before date] Indicated on the product
[Store] "Guernsey Farm"

Comments Local Guide
At Guernsey Farm, you should also try the soft serve ice cream made with golden milk! There are plenty of fun spots on the premises, including Restaurant, a petting ranch, and pony rides, so it's a great place to bring your children.
Gandhi Farm
  • URLhttps://www.guernsey-farm.net/
  • 住所4004-56 Kusumi, Kusumi-cho, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 60 minutes by car from Kusu IC on the Oita Expressway
  • 営業時間9:00-17:00 * Restaurant: 11:00-14:00 (last order)
  • 定休日None *Yakiniku Restaurant is open only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
  • TEL0120-20-4092
  • 駐車場free

The flavor of yogurt grown in the Aso soil is transformed into a drink

There is also a wide selection of local ciders made with Aso spring water. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Hotarumaru Cider" (216 yen) will be donated to the reconstruction support for Aso Shrine, which was destroyed in the Kumamoto earthquake.
There is also a wide selection of local ciders made with Aso spring water. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Hotarumaru Cider" (216 yen) will be donated to the reconstruction support for Aso Shrine, which was destroyed in the Kumamoto earthquake.

Located in Uchimaki hot spring town in Aso city, this historic liquor store was founded in 1926. In addition to local sake from Aso and Kumamoto, they also stock a wide range of sake, shochu, liqueurs, and local ciders that are developed and produced in-house using Aso spring water.
Among them, "Pies" is especially popular among women. It is a yogurt liqueur that retains the rich and elegant flavor of yogurt from "Abe Farm," Aso's pride and joy. With a low alcohol content of 5%, it is easy to drink and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as pouring it over fruit or plain yogurt.

[Product name and price] "Pies - Yogurt Liqueur" (200ml, 5% alcohol) 550 yen
[Best before date] 6 months from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] Okamoto Liquor Store, Roadside Station Aso

Comments Local Guide
There is a corner in the store where you can compare different kinds of shochu and sake, so you can enjoy choosing your souvenirs. They also sell original craft beer, which is only available in the summer.
Okamoto Liquor Store
  • URLhttps://www.aso-sake.com/
  • 住所217 Uchimaki, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 10 minutes by car from JR Uchinomaki Station
  • 営業時間8:00～20:30
  • 定休日none
  • TEL0967-32-0035
  • 駐車場Free (tourist Parking available)

A unique soda made by carefully combining Aso spring water with herbs, flowers, and fruits.

A special, non-alcoholic carbonated water made from natural ingredients. The low sugar and refreshing plant aroma will leave a lasting impression.
A special, non-alcoholic carbonated water made from natural ingredients. The low sugar and refreshing plant aroma will leave a lasting impression.

"FIL" is a lifestyle brand that produces various products from the great outdoors of Aso, including Oguni cedar, in the Satoyama area of Minamioguni Town. "ASODA" is a highly carbonated soda made from mineral-rich Aso spring water and natural ingredients such as seasonal fruits and herbs, in collaboration with "MITOSAYA" (Chiba Prefecture), a manufacturer of distilled alcohol made from fruits and botanicals.
There are five varieties, including "DAZZLING THYME," which is like sparkling wine, and "LE BOUQUET," a "drinkable bouquet" made with seasonal flowers, all of which have been painstakingly crafted to give an adult taste. They are a must-have item to select as a special souvenir from Aso.

[Product name and price] "ASODA" (set of 6) 3,110 yen *1 each of DAZZLING THYME, LE BOUQUET, PLUM ELIXIR, HOURAI FIZZ, 2 SPARKLE SPRINGWATER
[Best before date] Approximately 1 year from date of manufacture if unopened
[Store] FIL STORE

Comments Local Guide
"FIL" is a brand produced by creators from Tokyo and Paris and Foreque, a forestry company in Minamioguni Town. "FIL STORE" offers a range of unique products, including furniture made from Oguni cedar and aroma oils made from essential oils extracted from Oguni cedar leaves.
FIL STORE
  • URLhttps://fillinglife.co/
  • 住所30 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 40 minutes by car from JR Aso Station
  • 営業時間11:00～19:30
  • 定休日Monday and Tuesday
  • TEL0967-42-1010
  • 駐車場free

A romantic tea with roses from the Aso Plateau

Available in three colors: red, yellow, and white. The rose aroma will refresh your mind. Rose ingredients are also expected to have health and beauty benefits.
Available in three colors: red, yellow, and white. The rose aroma will refresh your mind. Rose ingredients are also expected to have health and beauty benefits.

"Aso Kirei" produces safe and secure organic products without pesticides or chemical fertilizers in the great outdoors of Aso. Their "Raw Rose Tea" made from edible roses grown in the "Aso Roseberry Garden" on the plateau is a hot topic for its photogenic look.
Using only organic roses from Aso and organic stevia, you can place a whole rose and its extract in a cup and pour hot water over it, and the rose will open up. After drinking the tea, you can eat the flower as is. This is a special herbal tea that will truly soothe you with its rose aroma and flavor.

[Product name and price] "Organic Rose Tea" (1 cup) 1,296 yen *Available in red, yellow, and white
[Best before date] 10 months from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] Minamiaso Organic Cafe ASOBIO, Roadside Station Aso

Comments Local Guide
Minamiaso Organic Cafe ASOBIO is run by Minamiaso Organic, which produces products in Aso Kirei. Their specialty dishes are made with organic vegetables grown in-house and Akagyudon beef bowls. They also sell Aso Kirei rose goods and cosmetics.
Minamiaso Organic Cafe ASOBIO
  • URLhttps://asokirei.com/
  • 住所546-4 Kawakage, Minamiasomura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 40 minutes by car from Aso Kumamoto Airport
  • 営業時間10:30～15:00
  • 定休日Wednesday and Thursday
  • TEL0967-67-3118
  • 駐車場free

Aso Akagyu beef jerky is the perfect snack to go with your drink

Classic Aso souvenirs made by hand in the traditional way, such as "Akagyu Wieners" and bacon and wieners made from carefully selected Kyushu pork
Classic Aso souvenirs made by hand in the traditional way, such as "Akagyu Wieners" and bacon and wieners made from carefully selected Kyushu pork

A sausage factory located in the countryside of Aso. Sausages, wieners, bacon, and more are handmade using original spices using techniques that won a gold medal at a meat processing contest in Germany.
"Akagyu Jerky" was developed by the workshop owner after he was impressed by the soft beef jerky he encountered in France. Carefully selected Akagyu beef thigh meat is marinated in a unique blend of seasonings and smoked with cherry wood chips for a day, resulting in a soft dish that becomes more delicious the more you chew it. It is a popular souvenir that goes well with alcoholic beverages.

[Product name and price] "Red beef jerky" (50g) 650 yen
[Best before date] 2 months from date of manufacture if unopened (refrigerated)
[Stores] Hibari Kobo, Roadside Station Aso, Roadside Station Aso-no-Sato Kugino, and other product halls and stores

Comments Local Guide
The premises also include Hibari Cafe, where you can enjoy hot dogs made with sausages made in the workshop, and Hibari Grill, where you can enjoy hearty meat dishes such as steaks and hamburgers.
Hibari Studio
  • URLhttp://hibariko-bo.com/
  • 住所640-1 Nakadori, Ichinomiya-cho, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 10 minutes by car from JR Miyaji Station
  • 営業時間9:00～18:00
  • 定休日Open daily
  • TEL0967-22-1894
  • 駐車場free

Traditional pickles handmade in Aso make a stylish souvenir

The famous Aso product, "Takana Pickles," are also so cute. All of the jarred pickles can be stored for about six months unopened, making them an easy choice for souvenirs.
The famous Aso product, "Takana Pickles," are also so cute. All of the jarred pickles can be stored for about six months unopened, making them an easy choice for souvenirs.

This shop offers a wide range of handmade pickles without added chemical seasonings or preservatives, from traditional pickles such as rice bran pickles and takana pickles, to single-serving sizes and small packs that suit modern eating habits.
The cute and delicious "NAGI" series is popular as a souvenir that can be taken home at room temperature. The contents are a carefully selected selection of Aso's local cuisine, including pickled mustard greens, pickled plums, and takuan. Each one is carefully handmade. Bring the richness of Aso to your dining table with this stylish, delicious, and healthy souvenir.

[Product name and price] "NAGI" (60g) 450 yen each, (6 types assortment in gift box) 3,200 yen
*NAGI UME: pickled plum, NAGI TAKANA: Aso takana pickles, NAGI TAKUAN: pickled radish, NAGI TAKANAmeshi: pickled takana mixed into rice, NAGI SYOGA: pickled ginger in soy sauce, NAGI TAKANAhabanero: spicy pickled takana
[Best before date] 250 days from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] Tokumaru Tsukemono, ASO MILK FACTORY, Aso Kumamoto Airport Asora Store, and others

Comments Local Guide
Another recommended pickle is "Aso-made cheese pickled in aged sake lees." Gouda cheese from "Rakunou Mother's Aso Milk Farm" is pickled in aged sake lees from "Yamamura Sake Brewery" in Takamori Town. It is a rich and aromatic product, perfect as a snack to go with your drink!
Aso Maruzuke Honpo Tokumaru Pickles
  • URLhttp://www.asomaruzuke.com/
  • 住所2682-1 Kamiiromi, Takamori-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 40 minutes by car from Kyushu Expressway, Mashiki Kumamoto Airport IC
  • 営業時間9:00～18:00
  • 定休日Tuesday
  • TEL0967-62-0096
  • 駐車場free

Mustard made from Aso Takana seeds helps preserve the scenery of Aso

The unique taste and background of the product have attracted attention, with it being selected as a popular souvenir in a national magazine.
The unique taste and background of the product have attracted attention, with it being selected as a popular souvenir in a national magazine.

This farm is committed to preserving the scenery and agriculture that characterize Aso. The farm that made this initiative famous was "Aso Takanaade." In order to ensure that the cultivation of Aso's native "Aso Takana" does not fall into disuse, they developed a mustard made from Takana seeds to create value beyond Takana pickles.
It is made with simple ingredients, just rice vinegar made from Aso rice and salt made in a pot from Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, and contains no spices, preservatives, or thickeners. Its mild spiciness is popular as it goes well with both Western and Japanese cuisine. It's a great souvenir that not only makes your food taste better, but also helps protect the pristine scenery of Aso.

[Product name and price] "Aso Takanard" (70g) 1,260 yen, (30g) 770 yen
[Best before date] 180 days from date of manufacture if unopened
[Stores] ASO MILK FACTORY, Seifuso Jigoku hot spring, Kiyora Casa, and others

Comments Local Guide
Mustard goes well with sausages, sandwiches, and other dishes that go well with mustard, but it also goes well with Japanese food. We recommend mixing it with somen noodles and eating it with tsuyu. It's a mustard, yet not mustard, so you can enjoy a new deliciousness!
ASO MILK FACTORY (Hanaasobi)
  • URLhttps://asomilk.com/?mode=f3
  • 住所781, Orito, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスApproximately 10 minutes by car from JR Aso Station
  • 営業時間Shops and cafes: 9:30-18:00, Restaurant 11:00-14:30, Rose Garden Hanaasobi: 9:30-17:00 (Rose Dome only: 10:00-16:30)
    * Temporarily closed from December 1st to mid-April and from August 1st to mid-October for pruning work.
  • 定休日none
  • TEL0967-23-6262
  • 駐車場free
*The contents listed are current as of the date of article update. They may be subject to change, so please check before using.