Near Tokoname Station, CHOUWA OMUSUBI is an excellent shop to find flavorful rice balls made with highly nutritious fermented brown rice and a variety of fillings.
2025.07.22CHOUWA OMUSUBI: A Must-Visit Food Spot near Tokoname Station
The Tokoname Pottery Footpath, near Central Japan International Airport, Nagoya (NGO), features Tokoname ware galleries, cafes, and historical sites in a relaxed setting. Close to the Takita Family Residence and Tokoname Station East Exit, you’ll find a jewel of a shop called Chouwa Omusubi, a specialty rice ball ("omusubi" or "onigiri") shop.
Crafted with care, CHOUWA OMUSUBI's rice balls feature flavorful fermented brown rice and other fermented ingredients chosen for both taste and intestinal health benefits. Convenient for takeout, these generously filled delights are perfect for enjoying along the Tokoname Pottery Footpath or in your hotel, promising a memorable culinary experience in Tokoname.
Read on to learn what makes CHOUWA OMUSUBI's rice balls a uniquely delicious and healthy option.
Over 20 Irresistibly Delicious Rice Ball Varieties!
Picture courtesy of CHOUWA OMUSUBI
The first thing you'll notice at CHOUWA OMUSUBI is the impressive variety of rice balls available!
They offer over 20 choices, ranging from creative versions of popular fillings like grilled salmon and tuna mayonnaise to unique options such as grilled unagi (Japanese eel), fried chicken, and cheese with lotus root. Prices are generally between 200 and 350 yen, with only premium selections costing 560 or 580 yen.
Many of these fillings are fermented foods known to aid digestion, including amazake, natto (fermented soybeans), kimchi, cheese, and Japanese pickles.
Not sure where to begin? We recommend the salmon marinated in salt malt, or the intriguing mushroom and amazake rice ball, notable for its natural sweetness developed through fermentation.
At CHOUWA OMUSUBI, the rice balls are made to order. Customers choose their omusubi from the menu, and the staff prepares them fresh on the spot. This ensures ingredient freshness and eliminates the need for preservatives.
Pictures courtesy of CHOUWA OMUSUBI
Another unique aspect of CHOUWA OMUSUBI is that you can choose between white rice and fermented brown rice (also called enzyme brown rice).
Fermented brown rice is a nutrient-dense, unpolished grain that undergoes a 3 to 5-day fermentation process. This results in a pleasantly chewy texture, improved digestibility, and benefits for gut health. Beyond its rich flavor, it boasts higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids compared to regular brown rice, enhancing nutrient absorption. This makes it a great option for dieting and overall health.
The pairing of fermented brown rice with the diverse, flavorful fillings of popular Japanese ingredients creates a comforting taste that brings delight with every bite! For those familiar with convenience store rice balls in Japan but new to homemade onigiri, these will be a revelation. They are not only incredibly delicious and satisfying but also noticeably wholesome, leaving your stomach feeling balanced.
For takeout orders, the rice balls and their fillings are thoughtfully packaged separately from the nori seaweed. This clever approach allows you to wrap the rice yourself just before you eat. The benefit? Perfectly crisp and fresh nori that hasn't had a chance to become moist or deteriorate.
Complementing their rice balls, CHOUWA OMUSUBI provides a range of miso soup options, also available for takeout. You'll find these soups to be rich in flavor and filled with tasty ingredients like seashells, fried tofu, and Japanese parsley – a truly satisfying treat for your stomach!
How It All Started: The Story of CHOUWA OMUSUBI
CHOUWA OMUSUBI, which opened in December 2024, is the vision of a young entrepreneur dedicated to bringing the healthy local flavors of Tokoname to a wider audience.
The owner's deep interest in and research on fermented brown rice have shown him its significant benefits for gut health. He understands that a healthy gut supports the creation of serotonin, often called the "happiness hormone," leading to an improved sense of well-being.
The shop's name itself embodies this connection. "Chou" is the Japanese word for gut, and "wa" signifies "soothing" or "balancing."
"Our onigiri are made with the idea that a better gut environment can ultimately lead to a better world," the owner said with a warm smile.
In addition, brown rice boasts a high concentration of inositol, a type of sugar naturally produced by the body that is vital for the brain and nervous system. Inositol is thought to help the liver eliminate cholesterol and improve blood fat flow. Considering the liver is also sometimes linked to storing emotions like anger, the inositol in brown rice might explain its reputed calming effect on the mind.
The careful selection of ingredients in these rice balls, driven by these health benefits, shows a commitment to quality and a desire to positively influence well-being through food.
Rice balls offer a convenient and quick meal option for busy individuals. Requiring little time to eat, the nutrient-rich and healthy rice balls from CHOUWA OMUSUBI provide an easy way to support the well-being of those who are often eating on the go.
The owner also sought to breathe new life into a 150-year-old residence located along the Tokoname Pottery Footpath.
This building was originally the residence of a tea ceremony master. It has been carefully renovated to retain its original character and now serves a dual purpose: it's the shop’s headquarters, but also a guesthouse where families or groups can experience traditional living.
CHOUWA OMUSUBI operates in a corner of the house, ensuring that guests staying at the lodging are not disturbed.
When the guesthouse is vacant, customers are welcome to enjoy their rice balls and miso soup inside. To learn more about staying at the building where CHOUWA OMUSUBI is situated, please contact the facility by phone at 050-1722-1811.
Great for Lunch or as an Afternoon Snack on the Tokoname Pottery Footpath
CHOUWA OMUSUBI is open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Its convenient location near Tokoname Station and the Former Takita Residence makes it a perfect spot for a quick, healthy lunch or an afternoon snack while exploring the Pottery Footpath as evening approaches.
Hotels near Tokoname Station are within easy walking distance, allowing you to pick up your onigiri in the afternoon and enjoy them for dinner in your room.
Whether you savor the rice balls on the go or indoors, their rich flavor and meticulous preparation are sure to impress. Proudly showcasing Nagoya's fermented food tradition, CHOUWA OMUSUBI's rice balls are likely to be a culinary highlight of your Tokoname visit, perhaps even inspiring a return trip!
Summary
Foodies visiting Tokoname shouldn't miss CHOUWA OMUSUBI, a rice ball specialty shop located a short 7-minute walk from Tokoname Station's East Exit.
They offer a variety of rich-flavored rice balls featuring highly nutritious fermented brown rice and diverse fillings, wonderfully showcasing the local fermented food culture and promoting your gut health and emotional balance.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.