Around Town: Josui-dori

 

One Fukuoka’s most stylish streets, Josui-dori has a more laid-back, sophisticated feel than busier areas such as Daimyo or Tenjin. The trees lining the road are also a welcome touch, making it a great spot for an early summer stroll.

After turning into Josui-dori from Yakuin-odori, you will soon see on your left the Kyushu Energy Science Center and Kyuden Memorial Gymnasium. A walk along Josui-dori will eventually lead us to the Fukuoka City Zoological Garden and Minami Park, but before that there are lots of shops to explore. Among the many furniture stores, flower shops and restaurants some of the most eye-catching are the confectioneries, where all manner of sweet delights can be found. Rest for a while at chocolate specialty shop Cacao Romance or tart and quiche shop Le Cercle, which are both also cafes. Down a small side street is French-style confectionery 16-ku, whose authentic almond-flavored baked biscuits are a specialty of owner-chef Mr. Mishima.

It’s also fun just to walk around and admire the unique architecture, like the rusk shop Only One, with its distinctive big red door, or the wide open space created by the large windows at custom kitchen showroom Kitchen House. The flower shop Marji Orchids won an urban design award for its architecture, which makes use of curved stone surfaces. In complete contrast, Japanese confectionery Muraoka Sohonpo is built in a traditional Japanese style. Trees line the path from the gate to the entrance, and the low-key mood brings to mind a Japanese teahouse. Kimono shop Tamaya, meanwhile, has a surprisingly modern interior.
If you can drag yourself away from the shops, moving a little further up the hill leads to a dramatic change of scenery as Minami Park appears on the left-hand side like a green oasis in the heart of the city. As well as the zoological garden and botanical garden, there is also a viewing platform offering 360゜ views of Fukuoka. A fitting way to end an interesting and enjoyable walk.

Hakata Food Park Natto-ya Nebaland
Wow! Imagine a restaurant that specializes in natto dishes! Heaven for many, Hell for others> Well if you love this healthy bean you’ll love this restaurant that offers 80 varieties of dished made with natto from main dishes to desserts. Take out natto-sweets too!
Tel：092-524-2710
http://www.mizkan.co.jp/kume/nattouya/

La Casa di Nao
Authentic Italian restaurant produced by chef Ishibashi the former executive chef of Japanese Embassy in Switzerland and Italy. One of the highlights is the Rome-style pizza baked in wood-burning oven.
Tel: 092-404-7030
http://www.naosan.co.jp/

Cacao Romance
This chocolatier using traditional Swiss recipes has been a landmark on the street for years. Rest your legs after strolling around Josui-dori in this lovely cafe with a garden view.
Tel: 092-524-1288
http://www.cacaoromance.jp/

Only One
A recently opened shop from Nagasaki speciallizing in “rusk”. Their rusk is made from homemade breads and offered in over 27 flavors including garlic, cheese, or pudding.
Tel: 092-406-8897
http://www.rusk-onlyone.com/

Atelier Chapline
Semi-order hat shop. Order a custom hat from your favorite cloth. Only open Thu., Fri., and Sat.
Tel: 092-522-6521

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