Itoshima Togeitaiken Shima Kobo
Enjoying the variety of ceramics made and used here is a highlight of living in Kyushu. But have you ever seen how earthenware is made? Or wanted to try making something by yourself? Two creators, Hiromitsu Fujiwara (Shizuoka) and Kana Imazu (Osaka), recently opened a bright and airy gallery and studio in a renovated building near Kishi Port. There, you can make your porcelain (of nearby Arita fame). Choose from two courses. The first (¥2,800) uses an electric throwing wheel, 1.3 kgs of clay, takes just one hour and you can make one item. In the second course (¥2,400) you’ll form up to two pieces by hand using 1 kg of clay. Naturally staff are there to help you, and once you’re satisfied with your masterpiece they’ll fire it in a very hot kiln, and you can pick it up after 45 days or have it shipped anywhere for an extra fee.
Itoshima Togeitaiken Shima Kobo / 糸島陶芸体験 志摩工房
• 9:30~17:00
• 25 Shima-shinmachi, Itoshima City
• 092-328-2225
• Only Japanese spoken, but everyone is welcome.
• http://itoshima–kobo.jp/
Maruta Katsugyo
Azuma Tanaka’s father was a fisherman, and their family has run this roadside seafood dinner in Kafuri since 1986. The massive tanks are a temporary home to up to thirty kinds of fish and sea creatures; twenty percent from the nearby port, and the rest he trucks back by himself from his fishermen friends in Hirado, Nagasaki. The freshness and condition of these fish can hardly be matched, and you can choose whichever ones you want. There are two ways to order here. Order a set for variety, or if you know what you want, select a large fish and have them prepare and serve it in courses. To avoid masking natural flavors, only a minimal amount of seasoning is used. Their Sashimi Lunch Set (limit 20 servings) is just ¥1,080 but go for the Special Lunch Set with sashimi, choice of karaage (fried) fish or nimono (boiled) fish, miso soup, and pickles. Servings are limited so go early!
Maruta Katsugyo / マルタ活魚
• Open: lunch 11:30~14:30, dinner 16:30~21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
• Closed: Thu. & 4th Fri.
• 140-3 Kafuri, Itoshima City
• 092-324-2401
• Menu in Japanese only
Lion Kitchen One Love
Unless you’re headed for Kafuri Port’s oyster huts, you may never drive past here. But for those who enjoy hummus, tandoori and tempeh, this off-the-beaten-track with a bohemian vibe is for you. Erina and her husband converted a storehouse into a cozy counter bar with a covered outdoor space furnished with heavy bamboo chairs and hammocks. Kafuri Sandwiches made with pita bread filled with your choice of hummus, smoked chicken, smoked fish, smoked bacon or smoked tempeh are available in half and full sizes. They’re all handmade and available for take-out. Erina’s spicy vegetable curry with optional toppings is also popular. For drinks, there are fresh juices, Jamaican Red Stripe, natural green tea, matcha soy milk latte and a full bar of booze on offer.
Lion Kitchen One Love / ライオンキッチン One Love
• Open: 11:40~21:00
• Closed: Mon., Tue. (open if hol. and closed the next day)
• 1172-2 Kafuri, Itoshima City
• 080-6427-7527
• English & Chinese menu
• Website
To learn more about Itoshima now, click here!
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn245, May 2019)
