After graduating from Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Minda decided he loved Kyushu so much, he would open Japan’s first and only Lithuanian cake shop. Sakotis is the name of his shop, located close to Beppu Station; it’s also the name of his unusually-shaped signature cakes that he bakes in a special oven. Sakotis come in two sizes, regular and “Japanese” (small), but that’s the only adjustment he has made to their 400 year-old recipe. Sakotis are soft and not too sweet and make a great and original gift. Visit his online shop at www.sakotis.com or call 0977-21-4222.
Hometown: Mazeikiai, Lithuania
In Japan: 5 years
Identity: Cake Maker
Originally published in Fukuoka Now magazine (fn88, Apr. 2006)
