Toge no Chaya Park Dago Jiruya

Toge no Chaya Park in Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City, is known as the setting for renowned author Natsume Soseki’s novel Kusamakura. At “Dago Jiruya” inside the park, you can enjoy Kumamoto’s soul food, dago-jiru.

Served piping hot in an iron pot, dago-jiru features a rich chicken-bone broth seasoned with soy sauce and plenty of chewy handmade dumplings (called “dago” in Kumamoto dialect). Fresh locally grown vegetables add color, making it a highly satisfying dish in both looks and flavor. Set meals come with a daily side dish, plus awa rice and bamboo shoot rice, making them very filling. After your meal, be sure to try the “Chaya Manju.” Because it’s fried after you order, you can enjoy its freshly made, fragrant flavor and chewy texture.

On the grounds, you’ll also find the “Toge no Chaya Museum,” which displays materials related to Soseki. Take in the atmosphere of the time and step into the world of literature. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in full, and in fall, the autumn leaves turn a vivid red.

Amid the changing beauty of each season, you can spend a moment immersed in Kumamoto’s flavors and culture.