Kitakyushu Chronicles: A Journey Through History & Innovation

A Nostalgic Bar That Feels Like a Time Machine

Kitakyushu is known as the birthplace of kakuuchi—the unique standing bar culture where locals gather to drink inside sake shops.
Among the many historic spots, Fujitaka Saketen in Tobata stands out as a place where time seems to have stopped.

It’s not just about the drinks.
It’s about the atmosphere, the experience, and the sound of an old-world tool—the soroban (Japanese abacus).

When it’s time to pay, instead of a digital register or a smartphone app, the shop owner picks up a soroban.

A Traditional Shop, Adapting for the Future – The Challenge of Going Global

At first glance, Hayashida Saketen looks like a classic sake shop, steeped in tradition.

But a closer look reveals something else.