Went to Itoya for some business, had lunch at their restaurant. Ordered the Japanese set meal for myself and the Chirashi sushi for my companion. The Japanese set meal was good, especially the seasoned rice with small fish. The tempura was nicely fried but only had vegetables, which was a bit disappointing. The sashimi portion was small but surprisingly tasty. The chawanmushi had shrimp and ginkgo nuts. The Chirashi sushi was good, but the sushi rice was slightly sweet. We had a nice view of the Shirakawa River and Kokura Castle from our window seat. The background music was traditional Japanese music, giving a festive atmosphere. Suica card is accepted.

I lined up early in the morning for the New Year's sale at Ogura Itoya. When the store opened at 9:30, I slowly made my way through the long line and finally entered the store. After browsing through my favorite shops, I decided to head to the restaurant area for an early lunch. Last year, I rushed and ended up choosing a fast-food-like restaurant by mistake, so this time I carefully selected a restaurant. After checking out all the options, I decided to go to a restaurant that caught my eye. It was just before 11 o'clock, but I managed to get a table by writing my name on the reservation list at the front of the store. I ordered the Soba set meal and the Japanese set meal. The Soba set meal included cold soba noodles, tempura (shrimp, 3 kinds of vegetables), sushi (nigiri, rolls), chawanmushi (savory egg custard), clear soup, and a mini red bean soup. The Japanese set meal included sashimi (2 types), tempura (5 kinds of vegetable tempura), chawanmushi, rice, clear soup, pickles, and a mini red bean soup. The smooth soba noodles with tempura and sushi made me feel full and satisfied. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Located in the restaurant area of Ogura Itoya, it is a bit hidden as it is in front of the elevator on the side connected to the new building. There were many customers, and even though it was before noon, there was a line, so I wrote my name and waited on the chair in front. The age group was mostly older, with most customers being over 60 years old. The restaurant has tatami and table seats, and is quite spacious. I waited for a table seat to open as my companion had difficulty walking. The window side has large windows with a great view of the Murasaki River, Kokura Castle, Riverwalk, and the Kitakyushu City Hall. The seafood tendon bowl (1210 yen) was luxurious with shrimp, white fish, and vegetables. It comes with chawanmushi, pickles, and soup. I chose the Japanese set meal (1265 yen). The sashimi was small but the tempura was a vegetable medley of eggplant and sweet potato, with a crispy batter that was the most delicious part of the set meal. The chawanmushi was quite bland with small pieces of ingredients. The soup was also bland. Even though the flavors were subtle, it would have been better if the broth had more depth, but it was not particularly noticeable. You can choose between white rice and rice with small fish. I chose the rice with small fish, which was mixed with small fish and fried tofu, giving it a good flavor balance. You can also get refills, so you can enjoy both options. The meal also comes with pickles and a mini white bean paste dessert. Overall, the taste was elegant and refined.

The only department store in Kokura, "Izutsuya," has a restaurant called "Hoshigaoka Saryo," which is known for its connection to the famous poet Kitaoji Rosanjin. Although the original "Hoshigaoka Saryo" no longer exists, a restaurant chain under the Tokyu Group now uses its name. The restaurant is more upscale than your average diner, offering high-quality Japanese cuisine without artificial flavorings. The sashimi, including a flavorful tuna, is a standout dish. It's a healthy and authentic Japanese dining experience, perfect for introducing foreign tourists visiting Kokura to traditional Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. If you have the chance to have lunch with a visitor from overseas, this restaurant would be a great choice.

The food was a great value, with generous portions and a gentle flavor that made it easy to eat. It was delicious! The staff were friendly and made the atmosphere welcoming. Thank you!

What a grand name! The Japanese restaurant inside the department store is called Hoshigaoka Saryo, with the addition of "Ginza" perhaps to indicate that it is unrelated to the one that used to be in Akasaka. I wonder which Ginza this is haha. If Kaiharu Yuuzan, I mean, Rokusenjin saw this, he would probably be astonished. When I entered the spacious restaurant, I could smell cigarette smoke. There were a few groups of customers, but only one female server. A voice from the kitchen said, "Please choose any seat you like." I reluctantly sat at a table near the entrance away from the smoking customers. Maybe they should consider separating smoking and non-smoking areas, since the place is quite spacious. The service was lackluster, but the food was decent. The crab rice pot and chirashi sushi were delicious. However, the soba noodles were overcooked and the tempura was mediocre. It's not a restaurant that would make you want to come back, but it's convenient since it's open until 10 pm at the Isetan department store until 7 pm.

It is a Japanese restaurant located inside a department store. The atmosphere is suitable for dining alone while shopping, making it convenient for those looking for a quick lunch by themselves. The window seats on the 8th floor offer a great view. However, it can get crowded during lunchtime, which may make it feel a bit hectic. Sometimes you may have to wait in line or even share a table with strangers. The menu is extensive with reasonable prices. The service can feel a bit rushed at times. The lunch shown in the photo is a special deal with various mushroom rice, tempura with shrimp and fish, yuzu tofu, and miso soup.