Where Popular Stores Abound: A Walk Through Ropponmatsu’s New Retro Alleyways

In the past, the Ropponmatsu neighborhood was home to one of Kyushu University’s campuses, and for this reason was bustling with young student activity.

In the past, the Ropponmatsu neighborhood was home to one of Kyushu University’s campuses, and for this reason was bustling with young student activity. With the Nanakuma subway line’s introduction and redevelopment of the former campus grounds, Ropponmatsu is becoming home to a burgeoning mix of new and old, where old townscapes and new vibes are combining to form a distinctly “New-Retro City”.

Lovers of Books and Cats Rejoice!
Cat-ThemedBookstore,
Shoshi Wagahaido

In an alleyway roughly 4~5 minutes away from Gokoku Shrine there is an old refurbished tenement building with this cat-themed bookstore. Novels, picture books, and photo albums, literature old and new, all of this and cat related merchandise are available for purchase. On the second floor of the store there are often exhibitions of cat-themed literature, so for those interested in cats, art, or books, we recommend checking to see if they have one scheduled when you are planning to visit.

Postcards, stationery, pottery, and many other unique cat goods made by artists

The bookshelves and tables in the shop are actually originally rescued from the Kyushu university branch that was there as part of the “Kyushu University Furniture Conservation and Utilization Project”. Additionally, you can enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer here, making it easy to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere for extended stays.

Enter the narrow alley from the corner of "DAY'S CUP CAFÉ" and you’ll find it in the 6th building from there. You’ll know you’re there when you see the noren curtain with a cat in a crested hakama bowing its head.

Cat-ThemedBookstore, Shoshi Wagahaido
Address: 1-3-13 Ropponmatsu, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City
Phone: 092-791-1880
Business hours: 11:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays, Thursdays, New Year holidays
WEB: https://wagahaido.com/

 

The Addictive Coffee and Donuts of
HEP DONUTS

The sweet and addictive donuts are the pride and joy of this establishment.

This store has a unique style in that members of the Fukuoka based band MADE IN HEPBURN help manage it. The donut batter is highly fermented which gives it a light texture, and they remain fluffy even after they’ve cooled off, and it must be said that these donuts pair excellently with a cup of coffee. You can also order them for take out or delivery!

On their regular menu there are 5 flavors: Original, Sugar, Cinnamon, Bomboloni (a kind of cream filled donut originating in Tuscany), and Beignet. They also have seasonal flavors that you can only buy at specific times of the year.

T-shirts, bags, and other original goods with the store name designed on them are also available.

With excellent picnic spots in the form of Gokoku shrine and Ohori park nearby, in the spring in summer the store runs a special “stylish picnic” rental package where you get 4 donuts, a rental basket and leisure seat for reclining in.

Located in a residential area known for its many unique stores

HEP DONUTS
Address: 1-7-36 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
TEL：050-3692-3750
Business hours: 12:00-18:00
Closed: Unscheduled (check their Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/hep.donuts/

Stylish Clothing That Will Help You Blend In With the Neighborhood
AMS SHOP

Artists' exhibitions are sometimes held in the store.

This store is, conveniently enough, located on the 2nd floor of the same building you will find HEP donuts in. The store is run by the company Human Forum, who are responsible for apparel brands that are popular with young people like SPINNS. Their motto provides insight into their model: “with vintage, art, culture as our cornerstones, we are a conceptual punk shop that thinks as it creates.”

The store is packed full of bold and assertive items.

AMS SHOP
Address: 2F, 1-7-36 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Business hours: 12:00-19:00
Closed: Thursday
https://www.instagram.com/ams_shop_rpm/

A White-Walled Bakery with a Cute and Eye-Catching Logo
Matsupan

This bakery is popular, and usually has long lines to match

Located behind the courthouse that was built on the old Kyushu University campus location, this little bakery is ensconced in a throng of quaint residential buildings. To find the store pay attention for the cute logo scribbled on the wall of a white, 2 story, refurbished old building. The logo should say マツパン (Matsupan) and next to these characters is a picture of マツパン君 (Mr. Matsupan), wearing a chef’s hat.

The owner was attracted to the world of baking from a young age, and has experience working at other respected shops like Pain Nakada and Pain Stock. The concept of the store is to provide customers with “easy to eat bread that you’ll want to order more of”, and is made with ingredients that even babies can eat.

In this store you tell that staff what you’d like, and they’ll provide them to you from across the counter.

About 60 different baked goodies are lined up neatly behind the glass divider. The most popular item is the “Rich Bread”, attracting customers with its fresh and buttery fragrance and soft texture.

 

The showcase is so packed with delicious looking breads it can be hard to choose just one!

Matsupan
Address: 4-5-23 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
TEL: 092-406-8800
Business hours: 8:00 - around 18:00 *Closes when sold out*
Closed: Mondays, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
http://matsu-pan.com/index.html

Meet Your Perfect Cup at Coffee Roaster and Specialists
COFFEEMAN

Between the counter and tables there are 10 seats in the store.

Located in a narrow alleyway next to Matsupan, you will find this cozy coffee shop. Apprenticed to the world #1 roaster of Tokado Coffee (Shirakibaru, Onojo city), owner Takatomi Eguchi came in first place in the 2014 Japanese coffee roasting championships, and after accumulating 10 years of experience opened his own shop.

You can bring baked goods you purchase from nearby Matsupan here to have with your coffee.

The numbers 4.7 and 6.4 that you’ll find affixed to the wall refer to the degree of the coffee bean roast. You can taste a cup of coffee roasted by Mr. Eguchi, a roaster who has been meticulously roasting coffee beans to bring out the characteristics of each variety of coffee bean.

One cup of coffee is 500 yen. For 100 grams of coffee beans it’s 650 yen. You can also purchase the beans online.

COFFEEMAN
Address: 4-5-23 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
TEL: 092-738-7051
Business hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed: Monday
https://www.instagram.com/coffeeman.jp/
https://coffeemanonline.stores.jp/（online store）

Try the unique Taiyaki Treats at this Nostalgic Store!
MEDETAIYA ropponmatsu

On the second floor there is a table where you can relax as you eat your Taiyaki.

This store is a 2 minute walk away from Gokoku Shrine. Serving taiyaki, a kind of fish-shaped cake, The store is located in a building that was built over 50 years ago and is filled with mood and atmosphere, and their gummy on the inside, crispy on the outside taiyaki keep customers coming back for more.

Taiyaki S'mores, a menu item with chocolate and marshmallows on top of a taiyaki pancake, which is then roasted and melted over a burner, and served with a cream soda.

From the classic red-bean jam and custard varieties there is also a half-and-half variety for those who find it hard to decide, as well as the ham and cheese type which resembles a kind of dressed bread, there is certainly plenty of variety on the menu at this establishment. To this point, there are even taiyaki served topped with ice cream in a parfait style as well as the Margarita taiyaki that is served empty but topped with pizza toppings. Talk about things we didn’t know we needed until now!

Go along the road between NHK Fukuoka Broadcasting Station and Ohori High School ground for a while and enter the alley from across from Ohori Cleaning.

MEDETAIYA ropponmatsu
Address: 1-3-1 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
TEL：070-8466-0676
Business hours: 10:30-19:00
Closed: Thursday
https://www.instagram.com/medetaiyaropponmatsu/

An Unforgettable Cup for an Irreplaceable Moment
Saredo Coffee

Specialty coffees carefully brewed by the owner, served with pastries that go well with the coffee.

The name of the store, Saredo, comes from the Japanese saying “たかがコーヒ、されどコーヒー“、translating to “It may only be coffee, but it’s still coffee”, reflecting the owner’s scrupulous attention to the quality of his brews. With the aim of ensuring that your time spent sipping on one of his coffees is as unforgettable as possible, the owner specially procures and roasts his own beans to compose the ultimate drip coffee, at a price of 450 yen. Also expect to find coffee parfaits, iced coffee, and different treats that all pair well with coffee. All of these can be ordered to go.

Specialty coffees carefully brewed by the owner, served with pastries that go well with the coffee.

Facing the street on the west side of Gokoku Shrine from Kokutai Road to the Ropponmatsu intersection, the restaurant has a bright atmosphere with a high ceiling. Terrace seating is also available.

Coffee beans, original café au lait base, and drip bags are all for sale. Feel free to ask at the front of the store or order online from their website.

Every Thursday a small stall called [Tomatoes Next Door] comes to sell produce in front of the store.

Saredo Coffee

Address: 3-11-33-101 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Tel: 092-791-1313
Opening hours: 11:00-20:00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 11:00-19:00 *Drink Last Order 19:00
Closed: Wednesday
https://www.saredocoffee.com/

*Business hours may be subject to change. Please check each restaurant's website or SNS.
*Prices are subject to change without notice.