Daimaru — Local services in Fukuoka

Younger Japanese people prefer the flashy plastic-and-lights look. That’s why our niece was non-plussed when we took her to the Omni Parker Hotel in Boston, the oldest hotel in the U.S. Older Japanese still appreciate a touch of class, which Wien no Mori (top floor) offers. It’s done up in the style of the classic Vienna coffee houses. The wait staff sport black-and-white uniforms reminiscent of the Good Old Days, when Mozart was still around. The food was not to my taste, but I can’t fault the chef for that. It, too, was old-school, though catered to the main clientele, all of whom...

After lunch we walked to Daimaru to see the food floor located at basement. Everything looked so appetizing but we were full already. We came across a sake brand called Rihaku, named after the ancient Chinese poet Li Bai. Picked a bottle of sake as present for our friend's father. Also bought some Hakata Torimon, which is a famous manju thing here in Fukuoka, and also a castella. Bought some baked goods for breakfast tomorrow too. Nice place to...

A very nice shopping mall a couple trains stops away from Hakata JR station and the Canal City mall. It has a few floors of shopping but I loved the food areas including the basement grocery and lovely snacks and bakeries. Everything is nicely presented in beautiful packaging.

A few favorites include both bakeries Maison Kayser and Boulangerie Paul Bocuse, Lupicia Tea, Fukuzaya Castela, and the fruits in...