If you search for “hot chocolate” in Kumamoto, Café Switch is one of the first places that appears. The café became famous for its elaborate hot chocolates decorated with latte-art versions of the city’s beloved mascot, Kumamon.
Kumamon is a black bear with round red cheeks and a permanently surprised expression. Created in 2010 to promote tourism in the region, he quickly became one of Japan’s most recognisable mascots. His face now appears everywhere, not just across the city, but throughout the country, on snacks, souvenirs, trains, drinks, and just about anything else that can hold a logo. Ironically, there are no wild bears in Kyushu, though that hardly seems to matter. In Kumamoto, bears are absolutely everywhere, just in much cuter Kumamon form.
Café Switch has an undeniably eye-catching hot chocolate, so photogenic that it has become a viral Instagram sensation. It’s also a good reminder that viral doesn’t always mean good. The drink itself is little more than sweet chocolate syrup pumped into a mug, followed by several shots of vanilla syrup and topped with steamed milk. While the presentation is impressive, the flavour was overwhelmingly sweet. The café itself also felt neglected. It’s not somewhere I’d recommend. They do have a coffee school, so I expect the coffee is better.
That said, if you’re visiting for Kumamoto’s mascot, you certainly don’t need to come here to get your fix. The city is filled with Kumamoto-themed everything. Our favourite version was found at the steamed bun stand near the castle parking area, where even the snacks were mascot shaped.
Café Switch, 1-24 Kamitoricho, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto, 860-0845, Japan
