Dazaifu is a popular day trip destination from Fukuoka. After exploring Dazaifu Tenman-gū‘s huge precinct, a break in a nice cafe is always a good idea. If you are unsure which one to visit, here is a list of unique and fascinating cafes near Dazaifu Station and the shrine for you to consider.
The Top Cafes to Visit Near Dazaifu Tenman-gū
- Chūta’s Cafe (ちゅー太の喫茶)
- Cafe Kazamidori (珈琲専門店 風見鶏)
- AMARILLO (アマリージョ)
- ViiiV Cafe (ヴィヴィカフェ)
- Kasanoya (かさの家)
- Cafe Rankan (自家焙煎珈琲 蘭館)
Chūta’s Cafe (ちゅー太の喫茶)
Kyūshū produces delicious fruits. If you have a sweet tooth, head to Chūta’s Cafe opposite Dazaifu Station for some desserts filled with fresh seasonal fruits! For example, instead of having peaches as a pie’s filling, their peach pie has a whole peach sitting on a crispy pie! Moreover, most of the dishes and drinks have a cute Chūta image, making the cafe a spot to be if you like cute stuff. If you like Chūta, bring one of the Chūta goods home!
Apart from their fruity dessert lineup, we also recommend their rich cheesecake. After all, it is opened by a cheesecake specialist (^_-)-☆.
The cafe also has a couple of light meal options. If you are a vegan/vegetarian, you can order a Massaman curry and ask the staff to exclude the grilled chicken as a topping.
Tip: You can make a reservation using AutoReserve.
Order at Chūta’s Cafe is taken at the register. After your order is paid, you will be given a number plate to display on your table.
Chūta’s Cafe’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Chūta’s Cafe is open from 10 am to 10 pm.
- The last order is taken at 9 pm.
- The cafe is opposite Nishitetsu’s Dazaifu Station.
Cafe Kazamidori (珈琲専門店 風見鶏)
If you are after a cafe with a unique vibe on the approach to Dazaifu Tenman-gū, we highly recommend Cafe Kazamidori. The cafe was built as a Ryokan Yamatoya (旅籠 大和屋) in 1815. Thus, its appearance is special enough that you will want to take photos in front of it already, especially if you are dressed in a kimono! While retaining most of the traditional elements from the ryokan, the cafe also has a couple of more modern touches, such as the counter area. Decorated throughout the store are seasonal Japanese-style accessories, allowing you to appreciate the delicate beauty of traditional Japanese culture truly.
Not only is the building old-fashioned, but antique furniture and gorgeously-looking crockery are also used. As soon as you walk through the front door, the bustling vibe on the main street is blocked. It will be like you have stepped into another space with a different time flowing. Adding to the retro-style vibe is the staff uniform. The hospitality provided by the staff is another charm of the popular cafe.
Tip: Make a reservation using AutoReserve to ensure you have a seat upon arrival!
The Drinks and Food at Cafe Kazamidori
The coffee is brewed from home-roasted beans, and the cakes are made in-house, too. The coffee jelly made from the nicely-brewed coffee is also incredible. Although Kazamidori is known for its hand-brewed coffee, other drinks are also worth trying!
With the quality of food and service that it offers, the pricing is very reasonable. You won’t find many places in tourist areas where you pay less than 1,500 yen for a drink and a dessert!
The menu is in English as well, making it easy for you to order (^_-)-☆.
Tips:
☛ The antique music boxes placed inside the shop can play music upon request.
☛ If you like cream, order their Vienna coffee (ウィンナー珈琲). You will be amazed.
Cafe Kazamidori’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The cafe is a 1-minute walk from Nishitetsu’s Dazaifu Station (大宰府駅).
AMARILLO (アマリージョ)
For cake lovers, visit Amarillo. The crema catalana specialist transformed the Spanish dessert into artwork-like cakes. The cake maker is hidden in an old house built in the Edo period. While its appearance is rather humble, the contrast between the renovated ground floor and the traditional-looking second floor might catch your attention. The stylish cafe has a white tone throughout the store with bits and pieces of yellow adding color to the otherwise unicolored interior.
What differentiates Amarillo’s cream catalana from other places is the temperature and texture. Amarillo’s catalana uses fresh cream from Hokkaidō and eggs from Dazaifu. The catalana is then chilled and solidified in the freezer. Thus, the texture changes from rock hard to fine and smooth. The desserts at Amarillo don’t just have an amazing look. They taste phenomenal and hit all the right spots.
Amarillo’s cake line-up is formed by six different catalana cakes, including a seasonal limited edition. Instead of a cup of coffee, how about black tea brewed using tea leaves harvested from various parts of Kyūshū? The staff will explain the taste characteristics of each tea for you to make the right decision.
Whether it is the cakes or the drinks, each item is made in an open space visible to the customers. So, even if you aren’t in a dessert mood, watching the staff cast their magic on those cakes would still make the visit worthwhile!
AMARILLO’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Amarillo is open from 11 am to 5 pm.
- The cafe is a 2-minute walk from Nishitetsu’s Dazaifu Station (大宰府駅).
ViiiV Cafe (ヴィヴィカフェ)
For a hidden spot to enjoy quiet time and authentic coffee in Dazaifu, visit ViiiV Cafe on the other end of the approach to Dazaifu Tenman-gū. The cafe is like a stylish bar in a chic space illuminated by indirect lighting. The coffee served here is approved by the picky coffee drinkers from overseas. In addition to the counter seats, more sofa seats are also available for those who need more comfort.
The cold-brewed coffee at ViiiV cafe is served in a wine glass. The coffee is extracted over 12 hours to bring out its richness and sweetness, and then left to rest for a further three days to achieve a mellow finish. Other types of coffee are also brewed with love and elegantly presented.
What is worthwhile to mention is that the coffee pairs well with the homemade coffee tiramisu made with plenty of mascarpone cheese and wine. You will be amazed by its taste.
In addition to coffee, ViiiV Cafe also offer fruit juices, snacks, and light meals.
ViiiV Cafe’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Viiiv Cafe is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- The cafe is a 2-minute walk from Nishitetsu’s Dazaifu Station (大宰府駅).
Kasanoya (かさの家)
Another recommended shop on the approach is Kasanoya. Kasanoya was opened in 1922 as an accommodation facility. As time passed by, it transformed into an Umegae Mochi maker.
The best thing about Kasanoya is the café opened on Christmas Day in 2020. The cafe’s interior is in the retro style of the Taisho period (1912 – 1926), with a good balance of Japanese and Western elements. If you are lucky enough to be seated by the window, you can adore the little garden at the back of the café.
Their menu doesn’t disappoint either. If you love red bean paste, the “Kasane-mochi (かさねもち)” will be the best menu item for you. The dish looks like a hamburger with buns replaced by two Umegae Mochi. Instead of meat and vegetables, it is another layer of red bean paste in the middle!
Apparently, the idea came from the time when the shop was still a BnB. The staff used to serve their guests with more red bean paste in the hope of helping them to recover faster from tiredness from traveling.
If you love chocolate and are looking for an interesting plate of dessert, order a plate of Kōbei (紅梅) or Hakubei (白梅).
Instead of just a plate of ordinary Umegae Mochi, chocolate sauce is poured over the rice cake! Not only is the presentation flawless, but the Western chocolate surprisingly goes really well with the Japanese red bean paste and the rice cake!
For those who love bitter chocolate, go with Kōbei. And if you prefer milk chocolate, the Hakubei is the dish you want to order.
Kasanoya’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kasanoya is open from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays
- The last order is taken 30 minutes before the store close.
- For Dazaifu Tenman-gū’s access information, please refer to our Dazaifu Tenman-gū article.
Cafe Rankan (自家焙煎珈琲 蘭館)
If you like the Taishō era vibe and coffee, Cafe Rankan is another spot for you to visit, in addition to Cafe Kazamidori. Although it doesn’t have the traditional Japanese-style exterior, coffee at Rankan is brewed by a Certified Coffee Taster recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association!
Cafe Rankan was opened in 1978 and has been loved by the locals ever since. The red brick cottage is on the side of a main motor road. As soon as you open the door of the coffee house, the coffee’s rich aroma hits your nose. The old-fashioned Western diner interior is the perfect setting for a relaxing morning tea.
Sitting at the counter seat, you can see the barista hand-brewing a flannel drip coffee in front of you. Don’t underestimate the guy standing behind the counter. He got third place in the World Cup Tasters Championship in 2011!
As a coffee specialist, Rankan has three bean roasters producing nicely roasted beans each day. The roasted beans are then stored in the jars on the shelf near the entrance and the counter. In general, about 25 varieties of coffee beans are available, including blends and single origins. From the menu, there are several coffee blends for you to choose from to make your cup of coffee. You can also purchase the home-roasted beans from Cafe Rankan!
While Rankan’s famous club sandwich isn’t vegetarian, other types of sandwiches and toast are available. You can also ask the staff to exclude meat from the club sandwich if you are keen to give the cafe’s signature dish a try!
For cakes, their homemade cheesecake is amazing! Depending on when you visit Rankan, there might be more than one flavor of cheesecake for you to try.
Cafe Rankan’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Cafe Rankan is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Friday to Tuesday.
- The cafe is a 5-minute walk from Nishitetsu’s Dazaifu Station (大宰府駅).
Visiting the Biggest Shrine in the Kyūshū Region: Dazaifu Tenman-gū
If you haven’t already, have a quick read of what the most famous shrine in Kyūshū is about before you head there!
Knowing the history of the shrine and some details of the buildings in the precinct will make your visit a lot more meaningful and enjoyable.
For more details about the shrine, such as the flowering season of the 6,000 plum blossoms, refer to our article on Dazaifu Tenman-gū!
