Hideout Cafe — Restaurant in Fukuoka

Beware of the SCAM! If you drive in even when the Cafe is closed, they’ll rip you off for 500 Yen parking fee! Around 19:40 at dawn I saw this Cafe with the ligths on, some folks sitting on the terrace. It seemed alright and I really felt for a coffee so I was happy to find something still open and decided to pull over. I was manouvering to the lot behind some cars and bikes, and stopped the car. While the family got out of the car, I went towards the shack, and saw a “Sorry we’re closed” sign accross the stairs as I got close. I told the family to get back to the car as there’s no point staying, we are leaving. It’s been like 2-3 minutes at maximum. On the way out of the lot, the guy who’s been in the coffee shack before, had came to the lot exit and asked me for a 500 Yen parking fee. I was suprised as it was dark, the shop was closed, didn’t spend more than 3-4 minutes there and still was asked to pay this fee. He turned the closed sign around so I asked him if the Cafe is open. He crossed his hands and says it’s closed. He still asked to pay the fee. This was a rip-off. I just saw some flags in the distance with P sign and 500 marks so decided to pay, because I didn’t want trouble as foreigner. It’s far from evident when you drive in to the lot that eventually you will have to pay. Especially after the Cafe closed, and most sorrundings are already dark. It felt really unjust, it’s clearly a rule made to ripoff the unaware. Beware...

I was walking towards this cafe as I actually wanted to get a drink there, however, before going in I stopped to look at the swings and other nice photo spots they have outside. I probable stood there for less than 30 seconds when a staff member (or maybe the owner) very rudely approached me and told me that area was only for customers and walked off saying ‘order inside first!’. Considering that that area is very much part of the main walking area by the road and that there is no sign stating this, I was taken by surprise by such rudeness. Needless to say I no longer felt like buying anything so I went somewhere else. If you want to take a nice scenic photo and enjoy swings by the beach, you are better off taking the bus a few stops away to Zauo Honten-Mae. They have much nicer swings and other attractions and the atmosphere...

Owner was rude, did not even greet you as you walked in. I came with a second person who did not want anything to drink. I ordered a coffee for myself, which did not taste good. As I ordered, he asked if the other person was going to order and I said no. He then replied “no picture”??? I did not come here to take pictures. I just wanted a cafe to sit and enjoy the view. As I got my coffee and sat in the balcony area, he then followed and asked the other person to order. So now, have to order a drink for a photo AND to sit down? No wonder this place...