A French Man in Fukuoka

At the beginning of September, we went to Fukuoka with a double intention: to explore the originality of local modern architecture and to search for boutiques renowned for their European vintage furniture from the 1950s to the 1980s. Follow the discoveries and impressions of a Frenchman in Fukuoka, who recently joined In the Light, and eager to understand the vintage market.

1. Blue Bottle Coffee Fukuoka – A bridge between city and sanctuary

The cement gradually blends with the walnut wood as approaching the shrine. Credit photo FRAME by Hiroshi Mizuzaki

First stop: Blue Bottle Coffee in Tenjin. The space was designed by the architectural studio CASE-REAL, led by Koichi Futatsumata and Koichi Furumura. What makes this café truly unique is its location within the grounds of Kego Shrine.

The moment I entered, the contrasts struck me. The counter, long, flat, almost without relief, felt strangely cold. The seating area, on the other hand, with its wooden chairs, created a warmer atmosphere. In between, a central composite slab stretching several meters seemed oddly out of place, as though it didn’t belong.

What stood out the most was the gentle transition to the shrine. The gravel stretches seamlessly from the café entrance toward the temple, and through the wide glass windows, the view of the shrine created an unusual sensation: sipping coffee while remaining connected to a sacred space, as if standing between two worlds.

2. Aesop Fukuoka – Brutalism meets sensory refinement

Contrast of materials, with the same brutalism inspiration. Credit photo Aésop

Second stop: the Aesop Fukuoka boutique, designed by the studio SIMPLICITY under the artistic direction of Shinichiro Ogata. Once again, contrasts were at the heart of the experience.

The rusted façade immediately caught my attention. It felt like the gateway to a temple, as though I was crossing a sacred threshold.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted entirely: soft lighting, subtle fragrance. The play between industrial materials and gentle light worked beautifully.

The brutalist elements, from the massive concrete sink inspired by Japanese purification basins to the raw finishes, could have felt harsh, but here they became functional and welcoming. Everything seemed designed to slow you down, to let you breathe and focus on the essentials.

 

3. ARTS & SCIENCE Fukuoka – A bold 70s identity

Store located next to Ohori Park in the center of Fukuoka. Credit photo : Achello - Hiroshi Mizusaki

Curious about unique architecture, we headed to the ARTS & SCIENCE Fukuoka boutique. Housed in a 1970s building in an upscale neighbourhood, it fully embraces its vintage identity.

Although the store caters primarily to women, we entered to take in its design. The spirit of the 70s was unmistakable: period lighting with Danish design, a deliberately restricted palette of gray and brown, and contemporary chairs by Faye Toogood featuring sculptural, geometric forms that blend raw minimalism with bold presence. Their aesthetic echoes the postmodern spirit of the 1970s–80s.

Brown was reserved for the wooden furniture, while gray covered the walls and lamps.

The atmosphere felt sober, almost austere, yet coherent. I cut my visit short, worried about intruding on potential customers, but even that brief moment was enough to grasp the intentions behind the space: a deliberate sobriety and a tribute to the 1970s.

Credit photo : Achello - Hiroshi Mizusaki

4. More Light / Light Years – Objects of the world and mixed impressions

A mix between European and African furniture & items. Credit photo : Route4

The exterior didn't look inviting: cold, unmarked, with only four chairs outside as a subtle sign of its presence. But once inside, I was completely surprised.

I found myself surrounded by objects from Africa, some several decades, even centuries, old. As a Frenchman, given the colonial history of my country, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy seeing these items so far from their places of origin.

Alongside them, I discovered objects much more familiar: French tableware in porcelain from Brittany, and wood furniture I used to see in my grandparent house. Behind the counter, towering shelves stretched to the ceiling, crammed with curiosities, weathered leather trunks, glass bottles, ceramics, and vintage tools, each one like a fragment of another era. That towering presence was both mesmerizing and slightly intimidating.

What struck me most was the cultural richness and diversity the shop brought together. Mixing traditional African arts, and typical vintage European arts. It was a real experience, a blend of wonder, curiosity, and reflection.

Credit photo : Route4

5. Nest – High-end Scandinavian elegance

Credit photo : Iedukuri Fukuoka

For anyone interested in vintage furniture, Nest is a must. And it certainly didn’t disappoint. The atmosphere of the 1950s to 70s was perfectly captured: quality furniture from norther Europe, mostly in wood, interior design books to get inspiration, even carpeted flooring upstairs.

Lighting fixtures were also present, with vintage designs from Denmark and France, emphasizing that unique atmosphere. I instantly felt immersed in a familiar universe, that of European vintage, with no Japanese references in sight.

Each piece of furniture and every element was carefully staged, with colors thoughtfully coordinated. For example, dark wood tables were paired with chairs in similarly dark tones or associated colors. Smaller items and lighting fixtures were arranged alongside furniture that justified their presence. This, combined with a slightly dimmer overall lighting than in other shops, recreated the atmosphere of a 1970s Finnish living room or office, where natural light could be scarce.

The pieces were clearly high-end, and the prices reflected that. A wide selection, from extendable family tables with chairs to modular shelving systems from Northern Europe. The clientele was evidently from a different social circle than mine, which shaped both the overall atmosphere and the reception.

Still, the visit was enriching, especially given the impressive number of designer items on display. Yet, I also felt a certain distance from the world Nest was presenting.

6. Eel – Simple, human, and full of charm

Various imported furnitures from Europe. Credit photo : Eel

The final stop was Eel, a boutique that felt like the opposite of Nest in its overall spirit. First, I noticed that the shop was much brighter than Nest, thanks to the large front windows, the light colors used on the walls, and the lighting designed to highlight every corner of the shop.

Here, there was no polished perfection or flawless restoration: the furniture was shown “as is,” and that was exactly its charm. It reminds me of independent second-hand shops in France and the United Kingdom, like those run by the Salvation Army.

The goal is to make the objects and furniture feel welcoming, without treating them as museum pieces, so that they remain accessible and not intimidating.

I noticed a second floor, and upon going up, I saw some posters, written in English, probably from the UK, and sometimes not very securely attached to the walls. That made me think that they don’t want this place to feel too serious, they simply enjoy discovering vintage furniture and sharing it with curious visitors.

While exploring the second floor, I came across a hidden chair that wasn’t yet for sale and found myself enjoying a conversation about it—it turned out to be a wooden chair designed by Hans Bellmann for Horgen Glarus in 1960. The saleswoman, incredibly kind, even helped me handle an old chest of drawers with genuine generosity.

This simplicity and human touch left a lasting impression. More than just a store, Eel felt like a place of sharing, where objects carry stories and time is taken to tell them.

In Summary

Exploring Fukuoka offered a rich journey through architecture, interiors, and vintage furniture. Blue Bottle, Aesop, ARTS & SCIENCE, Nest, and Eel—each space has its own unique identity and story, while captivating visitors with attention to detail and thoughtful design.

These experiences reveal how design can enrich and bring emotion to a space. On your next visit to Fukuoka, it’s worth exploring these places yourself and discovering the city’s vibrant design culture firsthand.