1. Enjoy Japanese Tea in a Historical Setting: The Takamiya Teien Saryo Tea House

A designated cultural property of Fukuoka City, The Former Takamiya Residence of the Kaijima Family has been kept virtually identical to how it was in the past, save for a few functional updates. The end result is the The Takamiya Teien Saryo Tea House, a venue that blends the best of Japanese tradition with modern know-how.

In the tea house, a large Japanese tea kettle prepares tea for guests, with a delightful view of the lush garden and delicate Japanese sweets as accompaniment. 

In this space one can view the changing of the seasons in the garden outside, all while enjoying the scent and quiet refinement of the interior. In this way all five senses are enlisted in appreciating the subtleties of the Japanese tea drinking experience.

Occasionally, the venue offers special courses and lectures, and even unique exhibitions and other events to further deepen guests’ knowledge of Japanese culture. 

By integrating the spirit of the past with a modern nuance and flair, visitors can enjoy a moment of supreme relaxation at Takamiya Teien Saryo.

📍Takamiya Teien Saryo Sabo
■Address: 5-16-1 Takamiya, Minami-ku, Fukuoka [MAP]
■Hours: 11:00～16:30
※Please confirm these hours with the store directly.
■Holidays: Monday
■TEL: 092-710-3357 
■For more information please check their Homepage 

2. For Those Seeking Soba: Akama Chaya Asago

Akama Chaya Asago is a venerable establishment widely esteemed by soba, or buckwheat noodle, aficionados. 

Seating consists of a single sturdy wooden counter, and radiates a gentle warmth.

Various types of soba appear on the menu, but the “Sarashina” comes particularly recommended, as it uses the white soba flour taken from the core of the grain exclusively, giving it a refined flavor and nuance.

In addition to soba, a line up of tempura, burdock root, lily bulbs, lotus root, gingko nuts, and yam bulbs rounds out the menu. 

During the evening the restaurants switches to kaiseki-style, or formal Japanese dining, with only the choicest items finding their way into the course. 

Selected by the Michelin Bib Gourmand in the past, this is one of the primary examples of excellence in Japanese cuisine in the city.

📍Akama Chaya Asago
■Address: 1-4-14-1F Shirogane, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka [MAP]
■Hours: 11:30～15:00、17:00～20:00
※Weekends: 11:30～20:00
※Please confirm these hours with the store directly.
■Holidays: Tuesday＋No set holidays
■TEL: 092-526-4582
■For more information, please check their Homepage.

3. A Truly Local Specialty: Mentaiko at Shirogane Komichi

Shirogane Komichi is a restaurant located in the middle of the Yamaya Head Location, a store that sells and promotes not only mentaiko but a wide variety of Kyushu specialties. 

The lunch menu at the restaurant features karashi mentaiko, while the sweets on offer make use of seasonal fruits.

The most representative items on the menu are the Hakata Mentai-ori Gozen and Hakata Mentai-ori Seafood Box. 

The desserts featuring fruits grown in their orchard in Asakura, Fukuoka are also a big hit with diners.

Sitting in front of the large window affords a view of the tranquil inner garden and a moment of peace as one eats.

📍Shirogame Komichi
■Address: 1-5-5 Shirogane, Chuo-k, Fukuoka [MAP]
■Hours: Lunch 11:00～15:00、Café 15:00～18:00
※Please confirm these hours with the store directly.
■Holidays: None
■TEL: 092-406-8087
■For more information, please check their Homepage

4. For an Unforgettable Culinary Experience: Syn 

Located near Ohori Park and the Fukuoka City Art Museum one will find Syn, a specialist in truly innovative cuisine. 

Chef Naoto Ohno is a highly accomplished chef and is certainly no stranger to world cuisine. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) he worked and traveled between starred restaurants located in countries such as America, Sweden, Peru, Italy, and Japan. 

The central concept of his restaurant is what he terms the “Cuisine Voyages”, or a journey in flavors that transcends time and space. This revolutionary approach to cuisine and his attention to his craft at all levels has led to growing recognition of his talents both domestically and abroad.

When asked about his restaurant’s philosophy, Chef Ohno provides an equally philosophical response: “When I prepare food for my guests, I don’t want it to end with the cuisine alone; it is by taking them on a journey told through these dishes that I can move them in a more fundamental way. For this reason, Syn’s most distinct feature is that it synthesizes ingredient, preparation method, and even sense of place to create a complete dining experience.”

The restaurant’s attention to terroir and sourcing is almost second-to-none. Almost every ingredient is procured from the producer directly, and the food consists virtually entirely of originals with very little in the way of homage to other restaurants. Sauces are made in-house daily, and freshness is of the utmost priority. 

Continuing, Chef Ohno says “In the creation of new cuisine we prepare by studying flavor and ingredient combinations thoroughly. For example, “Apple”, one of our signatures, is a dish that combines Japanese confectionary techniques with French ingredients to create a dish that, while visually novel, has flavors that are easy to place and familiar to most people.”

Though many have come under Chef Ohno’s spell not just because of the way the food looks, but because the flavors are clear and unbusy. Fans often exclaim “You can really taste the essence of each ingredient, simple and delicious!”

The heart behind Chef Ohno’s words, “When guests come to dine here my only wish is that they savor the cuisine and feel the passion behind what we do” has definitely come across to those who dine at Syn. 

“I opened Syn in Fukuoka as I felt there was a lot of potential here. For me it is fundamentally more rewarding to open a restaurant that expresses my values as a chef in Fukuoka rather than in a place like Tokyo. The proximity of the airport to the city and international ease of access is definitely a big plus as well.” 

For those seeking a dinner that transcends borders, time, and space, why not be inspired by the food and atmosphere that Syn has to offer? 

📍Syn
■Address: 1-5-22-4F Kusagae, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City [MAP]
■Hours: 18:00～22:00
※Dinner starts at 18:30・Reservation required
※Please confirm these hours with the store directly.
■Holidays: Monday＋Irregular
■TEL: 092-710-0152
■For more information, please check their Homepage

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Experience the unique food culture of Fukuoka City!