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Kamado Jinja Shrine
For over 1,350 years, people have been coming to Kamado Jinja Shrine on Mt. Homan to pray to the god of en-musubi (roughly, “matchmaking”) for good relationships, romantic or otherwise. In 2012, the juyosho (shrine office) was renovated—juxtaposing modern design with ancient tradition. On the observation deck, you can sit in Jasper Morrison-designed chairs as you take in vistas of Dazaifu. Why not pick up some stylish ofuda and omamori (good luck charms)? This shrine is a 40-minute walk or 10-minute local bus ride from Dazaifu Station.
Kamado Jinja Shrine
Address: 883 Uchiyama, Dazaifu city
Open: 8:00~19:00 (shrine shop)
Closed: Never
Tel.: 092-922-4106
http://kamadojinja.or.jp/
Atmosphere Chiran Saryo
Josui-dori is home to many unique shops and eateries. One of these, Atmosphere Chiran Saryo, offers Japanese-French fusion cuisine and green tea from Chiran, Kagoshima Pref. Chiran-born interior designer Shinichi Nakamori launched the cafe in Jan. 2015 to spread the word about Chiran tea—the leading tea of Kagoshima, Japan’s second largest tea producer. Come enjoy the elegant interior and the mellow flavor of the tea. Using seasonal ingredients, the chef makes healthy, vegetable-heavy dishes that are full of flavor. Perfect for lunch, tea time, or dinner. (Alcohol also available.)
Atmosphere Chiran Saryo
Address: 4-18-17-1F Yakuin, Chuo-ku
Open: 11:30~14:30 (Lunch L.O.), ~16:00 (Cafe, L.O.), 18:00~21:00 (Dinner L.O.), ~21:30 (Drink L.O.), Sun.: Lunch and cafe only
Closed: Mon.
Tel.: 092-526-3280
Menu: Chiran Saryo seasonal lunch box (with Japanese-style soup) ¥1,550, set with 3 kinds of sweets and Chiran tea + ¥430; 3 of Chiran Saryo’s specialty sweets (with deep-steamed tea) ¥1,300; matcha shiratama parfait ¥1,200; Chiran tea (with dry confectioneries) ¥430~¥1,300
Konotori
Ramen soup comes in many flavors, from pork bone and soy sauce to miso and seafood, but one flavor that has recently come into vogue is toripaitan, or chicken broth. Toripaitan is a rich, milky white broth made from whole chickens and chicken bones which are stewed for 8~10 hours until the soup reaches a porridge-like consistency. You can choose from three types of noodles: toripaitan soba (mellow broth, ¥650), noko toripaitan soba (rich broth, ¥700) or noko tori tsukemen (rich broth with noodles served on the side for dipping, ¥750). Enjoy the tsukemen with flat noodles, and the soba with chijire (curly noodles). Flavor your dish with either salt or soy sauce, and then garnish it with green onions and bamboo shoots, or, if you want the full poultry experience, chicken meatballs or chicken char siu. Or how about an egg boiled in Japanese dashi (¥100)? Don’t forget to purchase your tickets from the vending machine in advance – the staff can help you.
Konotori
Address: 1-5-23 Akasaka, Chuo-ku
Open: 11:30~22:00 (or until soup runs out)
Closed: Irregular
Tel.: 092-791-7155
Menu: Toripaitan soba ¥650, noko toripaitan soba ¥700, noko tsukemen ¥750, half-size chicken rice set (noodle of choice) +¥150, all chicken set (half-size chicken rice set + mini agedashi toriten) +¥250, draft beer ¥480, soft drinks ¥200
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn206, Feb. 2016)