Local Guide
Also on your way home from hot spring. 5 recommended cafes in Kirishima where you can enjoy seasonal sweets and tea.

Kirishima is blessed with magnificent natural beauty, including the mysterious Kirishima mountain range, Sakurajima, and Kinko Bay, which appear in the myth of the descent of the Gods. Kirishima is famous for its tea production, as can be seen from the tea plantations spreading around Kagoshima Airport. In this article, we introduce five cafes where you can enjoy seasonal sweets made from Kirishima tea and seasonal fruits, which are frequented by local people. Why not visit one of these cafes during your free time on vacation or on your way home from a hot spring bath to experience the rich natural environment of Kirishima?

Take a break with organic matcha while enjoying a view of the Kirishima mountain range

Ohagi (bean paste/kinako)
Ohagi (bean paste/kinako)" 150 yen each, "Tempura no Shiro" 850 yen

This café specializing in Kirishima tea is located in the "Kirishima Grand Tea Tree Park," where a large tea tree, once called the largest in Japan, has been passed down through the generations. A couple with ties to Kagoshima moved here from outside the prefecture and opened the cafe in June 2020, with the hope of "conveying the charms of Kirishima City's Makizono Town and Kirishima tea, and making it a place for multi-generational exchange for the local residents.
It offers a variety of drinks such as matcha, sencha, and matcha latte made from organically grown Kirishima tea, as well as a selection of Japanese and Western sweets made from local ingredients. The seating is designed to provide a panoramic view of the Kirishima mountain range, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing and enriching experience.

with handmade tea sweets that can only be enjoyed here.

Counter seating with a view of the Kirishima mountain range
Counter seating with a view of the Kirishima mountain range

We recommend the "Tempura no Shiro," Kirishima organic powdered green tea, which is brightly colored, fragrant, and has a rich flavor. This mild matcha has a mild, elegant taste with a moderate bitterness, and is a perfect match for the handmade "ohagi," or rice cakes, made with flour and cereals produced in Kirishima. Ohagi has an elegant sweetness and the texture of glutinous rice can be enjoyed.
Tea leaves are also available for sale, so you can purchase your favorite tea leaves on the spot as souvenirs. Located in a park rich in nature, you can enjoy the handmade taste that can only be found here while enjoying the scenery of the season at any given time of the year.

Local Guide Comment
The organic matcha "Tenfuri no Shiro" is so mild and tasty with little bitterness and the natural sweetness of the tea leaves that you will want to drink every last drop.
Nenrindo
  • address (e.g. of house) 690-5 Mochimatsu, Makizono-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes from JR Kirishima Jingu Station by car
  • Business hours Open 10:00-17:00
  • Closed Wednesday, Thursday
  • TEL 0995-55-1369
  • Parking Free of charge

Blissful time with organic black tea and seasonal sweets set

Japanese black tea affogado
Japanese black tea affogado "Autumn Amber" made with sweet potatoes and locally grown Shine Muscat (810 yen for a single item)

This café store was opened in May 2022 by Imayoshi-Seicha, the first tea retailer in Kirishima City, a long-established business established in 1917. The company opened the shop with the intention of "making it a place of communication to promote the delicious taste of Kirishima tea to people inside and outside of the prefecture, and to offer sweets that enhance the original flavor of the tea.
Recommended on the café menu are sweets that use lavish local ingredients and allow customers to enjoy the changes of the season. The outstanding teamwork of all Staff/staff members allows us to develop products through trial and error and provide handmade sweets that take a lot of time and effort.

Take a breather in the restaurant with a sunken hearth.

The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere with a sunken hearth.
The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere with a sunken hearth.

We recommend spending a relaxing time at the sunken hearth seats at the back of the store, surrounded by the aroma of tea. You can savor the delicious tea while relaxing in the comfortable space where you can feel the gentle flow of time, as if time has stopped. Also, take note of the staff/staff member's handwritten posters and menu list. The staff's handwritten posters and menu listings show their thoughtfulness and care in conveying the charm of tea.
Inside the store, you will find tea for gift, home, teapot, and tea bag use, as well as tea-related sundries and confections.

Local Guide Comment
In any case, the Staff/staff members are warm and friendly, and their commitment to tea is evident. The handmade sweets using seasonal ingredients are exquisite!
Imayoshi-Seicha
  • address (e.g. of house) 3391 Fumoto, Mizobe-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 8 min. by car from JR Kaisegawa Sta.
  • Business hours 9:00-17:30
  • Closed Wednesdays, Dec. 31st afternoon - Jan. 2nd
  • TEL 0995-59-2017
  • Parking Free of charge

Kirishima City's only gelato specialty store using seasonal fruits

Cuore Milk
Cuore Milk" and "Pistachio" (540 yen), "Raspberry Pepin" and "Kirishima Tea" (594 yen), "Apple Pear" and "Blueberry Cheese" (540 yen)

The owner, who had 15 years of experience as a pastry chef in the Kanto region, was fascinated by gelato and opened this Kirishima City's only gelato specialty store in June 2017. The main focus is to provide delicious gelato using local seasonal ingredients, which can only be enjoyed at that time of the year.
Since seasonal ingredients are used, the menu changes on a daily or weekly basis. You can enjoy gelato that focuses on seasonal delicacies, with a touch of Kirishima tea and fruits purchased directly from farmers of your acquaintance.

As a place for relaxation, some regulars stop by on their way home from hot spring.

The natural taste of the store is impressive with its lovely white walls.
The natural taste of the store is impressive with its lovely white walls.

The store is a friendly and homey space for both children and adults. Many local regulars frequent the shop for gelato made with local ingredients such as Kirishima fruit, tea, and sweet potatoes, and many stop by on their way home from hot spring baths. On fine days, gelato can be enjoyed outside on the terrace.
Gelato is available in cups or cones, and in single, double, and children's sizes. This is a gelato store where you can taste the season in all seasons.

Local Guide Comment
Some fruits are out of season for only a week or so, so you can taste the seasonal ingredients every time you visit!
Gelateria Cuore
  • address (e.g. of house) 2-15-25 Kokubu Shinmachi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 5 min. by car from JR Kokubu Stn.
  • Business hours 11:00-18:00
  • Closed Basically Mon. and Sun.
  • TEL 0995-47-5433
  • Parking Free of charge

Enjoy a seasonal fruit parfait prepared by a long-established fruit store.

Fruit parfait
Fruit parfait" (980 yen) with a modest amount of cream and plenty of seasonal fruit

The parlor was opened in 2002 inside Konishi Store, a long-established fruit store that has been in business for 60 years, in the hope of "making people more aware of the delicious fruits that grow in abundance in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fruits from all over Japan are purchased from the market every morning at 7:00 a.m., and fruit juices and parfaits using the fruits are served in the store.
We recommend the "fruit parfait," which is made with an abundance of seasonal fruits that the owner has identified. Since the parfait is made on the spot after an order is placed, you can enjoy the fresh and authentic taste.

The store is filled with the refreshing aroma of citrus fruits, a treat for all the senses.

Fresh fruits are lined up right next to the eating and drinking area.
Fresh fruits are lined up right next to the eating and drinking area.

The star of the fruit parfait is, of course, the fruit. The fruits are carefully selected from among those in season, and the handmade sorbets and creams are not too assertive and not too sweet. It is such a gem that it may change your concept of a fruit parfait.
The "parfait calendar," created by the owner with hints from conversations with customers, lets you know at a glance which parfaits use the best seasonal fruits. Please refer to the calendar when ordering. It is also recommended to buy seasonal fruits as souvenirs.

Local Guide Comment
The concept of a fruit parfait will change! You can enjoy a variety of fruits in this luxurious parfait using only seasonal fruits.
Fruit Parlor TAWAWA
  • address (e.g. of house) 3-30-5 Kokubu Chuo, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 5 min. by car from JR Kokubu Stn.
  • Hours of Operation 10:30-18:00
  • Closed Wednesday
  • TEL 0995-45-0393
  • Parking Free (1 car), Kokubu Park Plaza (free service ticket distributed)

A cafe by the sea overlooking Sakurajima and the calm Kinko Bay

Handmade soy milk chai (300 yen)
Handmade soy milk chai (300 yen)

This seaside café is located along the national highway leading from Kirishima to Kagoshima City. Easy to stop by, the store is filled with gentle sea breezes, and the owner has selected sundries from Japan and abroad.
The recommended menu item is the "Soy Milk Chai" made with Kagoshima black tea, ginger, and Yakushima millet sugar. The spices are mixed differently depending on the day, and the mild taste of the millet sugar can be enjoyed. You can eat and drink inside, but we also recommend taking out and relaxing on a bench outside while enjoying the view of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay.

Relax in an open space with a pleasant sea breeze.

Take a break in the spacious interior.
Take a break in the spacious interior.

The owner of the store takes in items that strike her fancy from time to time, and sometimes buys directly from friends who live overseas, giving the store an exotic atmosphere. The shop also hosts events four times a year, bringing together artists, bakeries, and sundry stores in Kagoshima Prefecture, making it a popular place for exchange.
The name of the store, "Okitama," comes from the name of a place used in the past, and even if you visit for the first time, the space has a somewhat homey atmosphere that makes it easy to stop by. Located right in front of the ocean, it is only about 11 steps from the beach. A walk along the seaside before or after your cafe time is also recommended.

Local Guide Comment
There are also "plum soda" and "green lemon soda" using seasonal fruits. The view of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay from the seats is fantastic and makes you forget about time!
Komamonoya Okitama
  • address (e.g. of house) 63-1 Kohama, Hayato Town, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 11 min. by car from JR Hayato Station
  • Business Hours 10:00-16:00
  • Closed Mon. and Sun.
  • TEL 0995-55-1791
  • Parking Free of charge
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.