L'atelier d'AKARENGA Patisserie Boulangerie (Kokura, JAPAN) ★★★☆☆

We were all set to leave Kokura after a quick stop at the JR station, but on our way back to pick up the car, we stumbled upon a hidden surprise — L’Atelier AKARENGA Patisserie and Boulangerie, tucked along the lively Kokura Chuo Shopping Street (小倉中央商店街).

What first caught my eye was the shop’s beautiful signage and elegant European-style décor. It exuded the same warmth and charm as Ladurée in Paris, with a logo that even felt a little familiar. The inviting atmosphere was definitely hard to resist.

By the time we arrived, it was nearly 5pm, and most of the pastries had already been snapped up except a few Japanese-inspired cakes including the ever-popular Mont Blanc and classic Japanese strawberry shortcakes.

Mont Blanc (500 yen) – Of course, mom was all too happy to get her hands on her second Mont Blanc of this trip, her first since leaving Fukuoka City.

I managed to steal a little corner of the Mont Blanc from her the next morning. Thought the chestnut purée was really delicate and flavorful, with a hidden centre of fresh cream and an additional layer of chestnut cream, offering a lovely contrast in texture. But while it was a nice find in an unlikely location, I felt the purée (likely sweetened) was just a touch too sweet for my palate.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Kokura! Now it's time to hit the road — our onsen retreat in Beppu is calling, and we can’t wait to unwind.

Food Rating: 5.4/10

Price: ￥￥￥

Address: 2-6-14 Kyomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 802-0002 Japan

Closest Train Station: Kokura

Tel: +81 (0)93-533-7116

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 7:00pm daily