I visited Akane-So at 12:30 PM on Friday, April 11th, with two friends from Shanghai, China.
We reserved two Akane courses and one Sukiyaki course, and the meal far exceeded our expectations! :D
My two non-Japanese friends said, “This entire Zashiki private room feels just like my grandma’s home—so relaxing and peaceful, with the forest and stream just outside.”
One of the highlights of our visit was the warm hospitality and performance of the Okami (proprietress/女将). She spoke a little English, but her words carried all the meaning and heart we wanted to hear. It was a beautiful and memorable moment.
While areas like central Fukuoka City(福岡城市), Dazaifu(太宰府), and Yanagawa(柳川) etc, are wonderful, they are also getting entirely commercial and crowded.
If your group is renting a car and looking for a truly local and unique rural experience in Fukuoka, I highly recommend Akane-So (茜(あかね)荘).
Thank you so much! I’ll definitely bring more international guests within the next month! ✌️
An Indian Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy Freshly Baked Naan and Aromatic Spices
The large naan, baked in a tandoor, has a fluffy and chewy texture, and you can enjoy unlimited refills, savoring the joy of biting into it while it's hot. The curries, infused with authentic spices, allow you to choose the level of spiciness, and the rich lassi is praised for its ability to gently balance the flavors. The friendly service and the spacious shared parking lot are also well-received by visitors from afar.
A renowned soba restaurant nestled in a residential area
Soba Kiri Wajin is a famous soba restaurant quietly located in a local residential neighborhood. The charming interior features a well-balanced arrangement of counter seats and tatami rooms, creating a serene atmosphere. The soba, meticulously crafted by the owner, is characterized by its rich flavor and excellent texture, perfectly complemented by a well-balanced dashi typical of the Kanto region.
Hara Coffee Do is a cozy café nestled in a beautiful rural landscape, where you can enjoy carefully crafted coffee. The menu features a rich selection of house blends and Dutch coffee, with the gentle flavor of their egg sandwich being particularly popular. In the calm interior, you can take your time to enjoy moments just for yourself, making it especially recommended for coffee lovers. Experience a moment of escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a fragrant cup of coffee.
Korean Izakaya Onma is characterized by its comfortable and homey atmosphere. This establishment offers delicious handmade Korean dishes with a diverse menu that caters to both first-timers and seasoned diners. Notably, the chewy cold noodles and fragrant chicken wings are popular, making it a place you’ll want to visit again and again.
MK Restaurant Iizuka is a place where you can savor the authentic flavors of Thailand. In addition to shabu-shabu made with carefully selected domestic meats and fresh vegetables, there is also a wide variety of dim sum available, ensuring satisfaction for everyone. The interior is clean and provides a relaxing atmosphere. Additionally, the convenience of ordering via a touch panel is one of the appealing features.
A yakiniku restaurant where you can enjoy the fun and deliciousness of grilled meat
Gyukaku Iizuka offers an innovative ordering system that allows you to fully enjoy the fun of yakiniku. The delicious white rice pairs perfectly with the meat, making it a hit with children during family visits. With a diverse menu that can be tailored to individual preferences and an all-you-can-eat option available, it's the perfect place for those seeking an authentic yakiniku experience.
A café within the office aiming for community revitalization
The Chikuho Office Interaction Cafe is a universal design café operated in collaboration with Iizuka City and local residents. The spacious interior is easily accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, offering a rich menu focused on local ingredients. It's a community-rooted café where you can enjoy local flavors at affordable prices.
Authentic Charcoal-Grilled Cuisine in a Warm and Healing Space
Koutan is an izakaya that brings the charm of authentic charcoal-grilled dishes to its visitors. The interior, designed in a traditional old house style, offers a calming atmosphere that soothes the soul. The skewers, carefully grilled over charcoal, are particularly exquisite. The extensive selection of shochu and sake is an irresistible attraction for alcohol enthusiasts.
Sushi Matsubara is known as a sushi restaurant that can be enjoyed in a variety of settings. The nigiri, incorporating Edo-style, creative, and Hakata-style techniques, is delicious, with new discoveries to be made with each visit. The restaurant features counter seating, as well as table and private rooms, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions from family gatherings to business meetings. It's a place where you can enjoy a pleasant time while engaging in conversation with the staff.
A soba restaurant known for its exquisite duck seiro and katsudon
Men-dokoro Yamashi is a renowned soba restaurant located in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The particularly popular duck seiro is enjoyed with a hot dipping sauce made of duck and green onions, captivating many soba enthusiasts. Additionally, the katsudon is also a favorite, with the combination of creamy eggs and pork cutlet being exquisite. Despite the diverse menu, the high quality of each dish is what makes this restaurant so appealing.
A beloved, homey sushi restaurant in the community
Yukizushi is a sushi restaurant with a homey atmosphere that is loved by the locals. In addition to fresh nigiri sushi made with seafood, you can also enjoy a diverse menu reminiscent of an izakaya. This warm ambiance and delicious food are likely the reasons why people are so drawn to it.
MINA Kaho is a restaurant in Iizuka that serves authentic Indian curry. You can enjoy the flavorful spices of Indian cuisine, which are easy for Japanese diners to appreciate, and the unlimited naan refills are particularly appealing. With warm-hearted service and a diverse menu to choose from during lunch hours, it's definitely worth a visit. You'll have a wonderful experience feeling the true taste of a foreign land.