This one was never on my itinerary but sometimes the best finds are those unplanned ones. After arriving in Takeo (武雄) in the late afternoon, we dropped off our luggage at the hotel and stormed out to the Takeo Onsen Tower Gate (武雄温泉楼) for a few photos before sunset.
That’s when we stumbled upon Saga Hirakawaya Takeo Onsen Honten (佐嘉平川屋武雄溫泉本店), a strikingly modern structure that stood out amidst the traditional Japanese architecture around it.
The sleek, minimalist beverage bar was just as impressive as the exterior, drawing us in for a closer look.
To our surprise, Saga Hirakawaya turned out to be a well-known soybean food producer, offering a variety of products including tofu, dumplings, and other frozen goods. While a small corner of the space was dedicated to showcasing their packaged items, the spotlight was clearly on their soy-based beverages and desserts.
We decided to sit down and soak in the atmosphere while indulging in their soybean soft serve. That's when we discovered a mezzanine floor dining area hidden behind this designer wall.
And little nugget wasted no time racing up the stairs to check out his new found space.
A spacious dine-in area on the mezzanine floor, capable of accommodating 30–40 people and finished in the same contemporary style, was waiting in the wings.
Soy bean gelato with sesame and olive oil (790 yen) — The most expensive item here.
The incredibly smooth gelato delivered a rich, deep soybean flavor, while the olive oil and cornflakes added a lovely texture and complexity, but I thought the sesame panna cotta and red bean paste at the bottom was a bit of a mismatch with the rest of the ingredients.
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Most cafés in Takeo opens and closes early. Last order here at 17:30. Something to keep in mind if you're planning a visit.
Food Rating: 6.7/10
Price: ￥￥￥
Address: 7411 Takeocho Oaza Takeo, Takeo, Saga, 843-0022, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)954-27-8481
Opening Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm daily
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