It has grown on me!

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Heart Bread ANTIQUE Hakata Marui: Mentai France and Other Bakery Finds

Heart Bread ANTIQUE

As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I visited Japan this March. On our way back to the hotel to pick up our luggage, we came across a bakery called Heart Bread ANTIQUE inside Hakata Marui. The day before, we had discovered an incredibly delicious Mentai France (明太フランス) — a crusty baguette generously filled with spicy, salty mentaiko — at the depachika in Hakata Hankyu. Since that bread left such a strong impression on us, we couldn’t resist stopping by this bakery to see what they offered.

Heart Bread ANTIQUE

Heart Bread ANTIQUE (Hakata Marui)

Address: 9‑1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka

Location: 1st Floor, Hakata Marui (connected to Hakata Station)

Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Mentai France (明太フランス) for 450 yen

When we saw their Mentai France (明太フランス) for 450 yen, we knew we had to try it — there were only a few left. It turned out to be amazing. The outside was crunchy while the inside stayed soft, and the texture was completely different from the Mentai France we bought at DONQ the day before, yet equally delicious. Honestly, it made me want to try Mentai France from every bakery we come across.

Yakiimo French (焼きいもフレンチ) for 280 yen

We also tried the Yakiimo French (焼きいもフレンチ) for 280 yen. It was a soft, sweet‑potato flavored French toast, and it turned out to be surprisingly good. My husband also pointed out how affordable it was for the quality.

Toro Nama Choco Pie (とろなまチョコパイ) for 158 yen

We also tried the Toro Nama Choco Pie (とろなまチョコパイ), which was originally 300 yen but on sale for 158 yen. The outside was crisp and flaky, while the inside had a soft, melty chocolate filling. We ended up loving this one too.

Heart Bread ANTIQUE ended up being such a fun stop, and every item we tried felt like a little discovery. This visit made me want to explore even more bakeries in Japan and see what other delicious surprises we can find.

There are my entries related to Fukuoka.

Top 3 Seafood Restaurants to Visit Around Hakata

Hakata’s Udon Gems: Two Must-Try Udon Restaurants in Hakata, Fukuoka

A Tempura Lover’s Guide to Hakata: Two Must-Try Restaurants in Fukuoka, Japan

Best Breakfasts in Hakata: 3 Must-Try Restaurants

5 Best Delicious Souvenirs from Fukuoka

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Thursday, July 9, 2026

Japan Ningen Dock Review: Full Health Screening in Fukuoka

Healthy Hamburg Steak I Had at Hospital Restaurant in Fukuoka

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan in March this year. One of the main reasons for our trip was to undergo a complete medical checkup, known as ningen dock (人間ドック). This time, we chose to have it done in Fukuoka.

A ningen dock is a comprehensive health screening designed to detect a wide range of conditions, from lifestyle‑related diseases such as type II diabetes to the early stages of cancer. The goal is early detection and prevention—helping people understand their current health status so they can maintain wellness, address risks, and begin treatment sooner if needed.

In the U.S., I have an annual physical every year, but it doesn’t include many of the imaging and diagnostic tests that are standard in Japan. That’s why I also choose to have a ningen dock every few years. The Japanese screening typically includes abdominal ultrasound, chest X‑ray, and other tests that aren’t part of a routine U.S. physical.

This year, my medical checkup cost 66,000 yen (about $415.88), and my husband’s cost 80,850 yen (about $509.48). Our medical chekup included the following:

height, weight, BMI, and abdominal girth
blood pressure and pulse
vision test, intraocular pressure, and ophthalmoscopy
audiometry
spirometry
EKG (electrocardiography)
abdominal ultrasonography
upper GI
chest X‑ray
urine test (protein, glucose, blood, specific gravity, urobilinogen)
blood test (blood type, RBC, WBC, Hb, Ht, PLT, differential count, total protein, bilirubin, protein fraction, AST, ALT, γ‑GTP, ALP, LDH, CHE, AMY, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, HbA1c, uric acid, BUN, creatinine, eGFR, HBsAg, HCVAb, TPHA, RF, CRP, and more)
PSA (male only)
chest CT (optional, 11,000 yen)
bone density (optional, 3,300 yen)
39‑item allergen test (optional, 14,850 yen — my husband added this)

When I think about healthcare in the U.S., I’m always reminded of how expensive even the simplest things can be. In contrast, Japan’s medical system feels both advanced and surprisingly affordable. Because of that, even after paying for flights and a place to stay, coming to Japan for a full checkup can still make sense. (Of course, if you’re flying business or first class and staying in luxury hotels, the math changes a bit.)

Hospital Restaurant

We arrived at the hospital at 8:30 a.m. and finished all of our exams by 12:30 p.m. Everything moved so smoothly that the morning passed quickly. After the checkup, we received complimentary meal tickets and could choose from several restaurants, including a few outside the hospital. In the end, we decided to have lunch at the restaurant inside the hospital because it was the most convenient.

We chose the low‑carb hamburg steak combo. For the sauce, you can pick either a rich demi‑glace or a light Japanese onion sauce.

My husband chose the Japanese onion sauce, called Japone sauce (ジャポネソース), and I chose the demi‑glace sauce.

Even though it was a steak dish, the meal was very healthy. The hamburg steak was made with grass‑fed beef and okara (soybean pulp), so it was rich in fiber, protein, potassium, and isoflavone. The rice was a nutritious multigrain blend. We left feeling really satisfied with such a healthy lunch.

Finally, we finished our meal with a glass of iced black tea.

Three to four weeks later, the Japanese hospital sent our results to my mother‑in‑law’s home, and she forwarded them to us in the U.S. Everything looked very good. We’ll probably have another ningen dock in Japan again in a few years.

If you’re curious about the Japanese ningen dock, you can take a look at my previous entry too.

Having A Complete Medical Checkup, Ningen Doc, in Japan

There are my entries related to Fukuoka.

Top 3 Seafood Restaurants to Visit Around Hakata

Hakata’s Udon Gems: Two Must-Try Udon Restaurants in Hakata, Fukuoka

A Tempura Lover’s Guide to Hakata: Two Must-Try Restaurants in Fukuoka, Japan

Best Breakfasts in Hakata: 3 Must-Try Restaurants

5 Best Delicious Souvenirs from Fukuoka

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Thursday, July 2, 2026

Depachika Food Adventures in Hakata, Fukuoka

Hakata Hankyu (博多阪急)

As I mentioned in my earlier entry, my husband and I visited Japan in March for our ningen dock (人間ドック), the full medical checkup we do every few years. This time, we chose Fukuoka as our destination.

For the final meal on the day before the checkup, we were planning to have udon at Daichi no Udon (大地のうどん) — a famous udon restaurant in Fukuoka that we fell in love with during our last visit. It’s a perfect option for a light pre‑checkup meal, especially if I avoid tempura. However, when we arrived a little before 4 p.m., the restaurant wasn’t open yet. The staff told us they wouldn’t open until 5 p.m., so we decided to change our plan.

Since we were already near JR Hakata Station, we headed to Hakata Hankyu (博多阪急), the department store connected to the station. Its basement level (B1) is a depachika (デパ地下) — Japan’s iconic underground food hall. In Japan, most major department stores have delicatessen floors in the basement, and the word depachika comes from depa (デパ, department store) + chika (地下, underground floor).

Depachika are filled with beautifully presented foods from well‑known restaurants, confectioneries, and specialty shops. Everything is prepared with such care that even simple dishes feel special. Depachika foods are truly on another level compared to convenience stores or supermarkets — everything feels fresher, more flavorful, and made with so much care. They’re not inexpensive, of course; depachika meals are usually a little luxurious, but the quality makes them worth it.

Hakata Hankyu (博多阪急)

We originally planned to keep dinner light and healthy before the checkup, but once we started browsing the depachika, that plan disappeared quickly. Surrounded by so many tempting dishes, I found myself thinking, “Oh well… I’ll just eat what I want today.” Everything looked too delicious to resist.

DONQ in Hakata Hankyu

We picked up a mentai france (明太フランス) from DONQ for 496 yen — a crusty baguette generously filled with spicy, salty mentaiko. I’d watched a YouTube video saying how popular mentai france has become in Japan, and since Fukuoka is known for its mentaiko, I felt like we had to try it. It was our first time, and it was even better than I imagined. We enjoyed it so much that we later tried mentai france from other bakeries too.

Imokkoya (いもっ子屋) in Hakata Hankyu

Since I’m a big fan of noriben (のり弁), we couldn’t resist buying this one from Imokkoya (いもっ子屋) in Hakata Hankyu for 532 yen. The deep‑fried fish, isobe‑age, and kimpira gobo over seaweed and rice made such a comforting combination. It tasted perfect — the kind of humble bento that always makes me happy.

Imokkoya (いもっ子屋) in Hakata Hankyu

Kinjo Seika (金城製菓) in Hakata Hankyu

We also bought his favorite ohagi (おはぎ) and my favorite ikinari dango (いきなりだんご), both 216 yen each, from Kinjo Seika (金城製菓) in Hakata Hankyu. Ohagi is a comforting sweet made of rice covered in red bean paste, and ikinari dango is a Kumamoto treat with sweet potato and red bean paste wrapped in a soft flour dough. I loved the ikinari dango — the sweet potato and red bean paste together were just perfect for me.

Kinjo Seika (金城製菓) in Hakata Hankyu

We also added a pack of salad and dressing from a convenience store to balance things out a little. It wasn’t the healthiest dinner before a medical checkup, but we were honestly very satisfied. The real highlight was discovering mentai france — we enjoyed it so much that it became the reason we visited multiple bakeries during this trip.

We visited the depachika in Hakata in 2024 as well, so it felt familiar to return this time. If you’re interested in depachika, you can check out my previous entries.

Tasty Trails: 7 Depachika Favorites from Hakata Hankyu and Ming

Find Delicious Foods at Depachika, Must Go to Place in Japan

There are my entries related to Fukuoka.

Top 3 Seafood Restaurants to Visit Around Hakata

Hakata’s Udon Gems: Two Must-Try Udon Restaurants in Hakata, Fukuoka

A Tempura Lover’s Guide to Hakata: Two Must-Try Restaurants in Fukuoka, Japan

Best Breakfasts in Hakata: 3 Must-Try Restaurants

5 Best Delicious Souvenirs from Fukuoka

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Thursday, June 25, 2026

Hotel Room Tour and Review – Returning to ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka

ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan in March this year. One of the main reasons for our trip was to undergo a complete medical checkup, known as ningen dock (人間ドック). This time, we chose to have it done in Fukuoka.

Because of that, we decided to stay at ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka, which is conveniently located just a five‑minute walk from JR Hakata Station. We had stayed at this hotel before and loved how close it is to the Depachika, making it easy to pick up something delicious whenever we wanted.

This time, the location felt even more perfect. After a long journey — Los Angeles → Seoul → Fukuoka — we were exhausted. On top of that, we went to see an ophthalmologist that same day to check on my eye condition. Being able to walk everywhere without thinking too much, especially when we were tired, made such a difference. The hotel’s convenience and familiarity gave us a small sense of comfort right when we needed it.

ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka

Queen Standard (21㎡ / 226ft²)

We stayed in a Queen Standard Room — compact, but thoughtfully designed and perfectly comfortable for two. It had everything we needed for a pleasant, relaxing stay, and the cozy layout made it easy to unwind after a long day of travel and appointments.

Fresh pairs of pajamas were laid out on the bed, a small touch that made the room feel instantly welcoming.

A compact charging cube sat on the bedside table, and with its multiple connector types, it made charging all our devices incredibly convenient during our stay.

On the desk, there was information about the Front Equipment Lending Services, where you can request complimentary items such as a baby bath, wheelchair, hair iron, or facial steamer; During my previous stay, I rented a Panasonic Nanoe Facial Steamer and loved it so much that I even wanted to buy one, but after this long trip I was simply too tired to borrow it again.

The mini bar area under the TV held a small refrigerator and a cabinet stocked with tea, coffee supplies, cups, and a kettle, making it perfect for enjoying a relaxing drink in the room.

The minibar selection included two black tea bags, two Yame green tea bags—premium tea from Fukuoka known for its deep umami and smooth sweetness—and four packs of instant coffee, perfect for a quick and comforting drink anytime.

The clean bathroom space was minimal but immaculate, creating a calm and comfortable place to get ready.

The bathroom was well stocked with toothbrushes, a shaver, a comb, Q‑tips, and two kinds of bath salt, making it easy to settle in comfortably.

The bathroom setup offered Antipodes Fig & Feijoa hand and body wash, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner, which added a lovely touch of luxury. Antipodes is a New Zealand–based natural skincare brand that uses sustainably sourced ingredients, including Vinanza antioxidants and mānuka honey.

This time, we skipped the fitness center because we were very tired from the long trip. If you’re curious about the facility, you can check out my previous entry where I wrote about the fitness center at ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka.

Overall experience

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The location was incredibly convenient, making it easy and enjoyable to walk around Hakata. One of my favorite moments was picking up delicious foods from the depachika and savoring them back in the comfort of our room. I’ll write more about that next time.

There are my entries related to Fukuoka.

Top 3 Seafood Restaurants to Visit Around Hakata

Hakata’s Udon Gems: Two Must-Try Udon Restaurants in Hakata, Fukuoka

A Tempura Lover’s Guide to Hakata: Two Must-Try Restaurants in Fukuoka, Japan

Best Breakfasts in Hakata: 3 Must-Try Restaurants

5 Best Delicious Souvenirs from Fukuoka

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Thursday, June 18, 2026

Koga Sengyō Fukuoka Review – Fresh Seafood Bowls at Yanagibashi Market

Koga Sengyo (古賀鮮魚)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan in March this year. One of our main reasons for the trip was to undergo a complete medical checkup, known as ningen dock (人間ドック). This time, we chose to have it done in Fukuoka.

After arriving in Fukuoka, we dropped off our luggage at the hotel and went out to find lunch. Since our checkup was scheduled for the next morning, we wanted something not too heavy but still satisfying. We decided to return to Koga Sengyō, located inside the Yanagibashi Rengo Fish Market (柳橋連合市場), about a 20‑minute walk from JR Hakata Station.

We had visited Koga Sengyō in 2024 and instantly fell in love with it—the freshness, the simplicity, the warmth of a true market eatery. Coming back felt comforting, almost like revisiting a small ritual we didn’t realize we had started.

Koga Sengyo (古賀鮮魚)

Koga Sengyo (古賀鮮魚)

1-6-4 Haruyoshi
Fukuoka Chuoku
Fukuoka

Open Monday through Saturday

Hours 10 am through 3 pm (Last Order 2:30 pm)

We arrived around 11 a.m. on a weekday, and there were already several people seated. Before coming, we had promised ourselves we would stick to something light for lunch, but the moment we sat down and looked at the menu, our plan almost disappeared. “Oh no… everything looks amazing.” We looked at each other and nearly changed our minds on the spot.

Tuna Bowl (マグロ丼)

I chose the tuna bowl (マグロ丼), which came with nine thick slices of fresh tuna for 1,500 yen ($9.50). It also included a bowl of wakame seaweed soup. Each slice of tuna was so big, tender, and incredibly fresh. I loved every bite.

Tuna Bowl (マグロ丼)

Kaisen Don (海鮮丼)

My husband ordered the Kaisen Don (海鮮丼), which cost just 1,100 yen and also came with wakame seaweed soup. The sashimi was incredibly fresh and the quality was honestly impressive—we couldn’t believe it was only about $7. For a seafood bowl like this in the U.S., we would easily expect to pay over $50. If you visit Koga Sengyō, the Kaisen Don is an absolute must‑try.

Kaisen Don (海鮮丼)

Fresh Scallop Sashimi (ホタテの刺身)

Finally, we decided to order the fresh scallop sashimi (ホタテの刺身) for 1,500 yen. We hadn’t planned on getting this at all, but my husband loves scallops, so we couldn’t resist trying it. And for only $9.50, it felt impossible to pass up.

Our fresh seafood lunch came to a total of 4,100 yen ($26), which felt almost unbelievable for the quality we received. In the U.S., a meal like this would easily cost several times more, so we couldn’t help feeling a little amazed at how reasonable it was. If you’d like to read more about Koga Sengyō, feel free to take a look at my earlier entry.

There are my entries related to Fukuoka.