There were so many options to choose from, but being in Fukuoka, I decided to try the amaou strawberry ice candy (150 yen). It was packed with the deliciousness of strawberries and tasted simple yet wonderful. The shop had a cozy atmosphere, with the option to enjoy your treat inside or take it home. I had been wanting to visit ever since seeing it in a book by Minoru Kai, and I'm glad I finally did when I went to Yanagawa.

This is an ice candy shop in Fukuoka, known for its retro cute packaging with a hippo logo. I got these at the souvenir section of Kagoshima Chuo Station and at the Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka. They have a wide variety of flavors like mango, red bean, strawberry, chai, cream soda, and even one with mashed sweet bean paste. I couldn't decide, so I got chai and red bean. The chai flavor has a strong spice aroma, like frozen chai tea. The red bean flavor brings back nostalgic memories from my childhood. Both have a crunchy texture, breaking easily. Great for when you're tired of regular flavors!

I rarely visit the Yanagawa area, but decided to try the famous "Mokuyoshiya" for steamed eel over rice, followed by a bike ride around the city to a popular local spot near Mihana called "Momijima Hyoka." After passing through narrow streets towards Mihana, I found a sign with a hippopotamus logo near the boat ride area. Without the sign, it would be easy to mistake the place for a regular house. The entrance felt like entering someone's home, and upon opening the door, I found a small space with a showcase of ice candies. They offered 15 types of ice candies, 9 types of cup ice creams, and 2 types of dorayaki ice creams. After much contemplation, I decided on the "Nokojima Hyuganatsu" for 170 yen. I sat outside near the shop's warehouse to enjoy the ice candy, which had a simple and refreshing taste, as if the fruit itself was frozen. The retro packaging added to the experience, making it a perfect treat for the hot weather. With a variety of options, I look forward to trying something new on my next visit. Thank you for the delicious treat.

I couldn't decide among the many types of ice candy, but I chose the matcha flavor. It was refreshing and delicious. The staff at the shop were friendly, asking if I was a tourist and recommending some great places to visit. It's a lovely shop with tasty treats.

I got a takeout of Amakusa mandarin orange and Amaou strawberry ice pops!! The Amakusa mandarin orange flavor is subtly sweet, giving off a nostalgic candy vibe from the Showa era!! The Amaou strawberry flavor is sweeter and might be more to my liking!! The shop itself is housed in a building from the early Showa period, making you feel like you've slipped back in time! The location feels like it could be in a drama where people shout out their love at the center of the world! A shop where you can enjoy the atmosphere along with the treats!! Thank you for the meal!

The hippo logo is cute!! It's a bit hard to find, but it's near the end point of the river cruise. I tried the summer orange flavor. It seems like they use fruits from their own farm. It was refreshing and delicious. They also have ice cream and "kabayaki" which seems interesting! Perfect for Instagram photos.

In front of Honjo Ramen, there is a shop with a hippo logo called Mogashima Hyoka, where I had a dessert of Amakaze Ice Candy (as written on the menu). It was refreshing and delicious! When I asked for the least sweet option, they kindly recommended the Blood Orange one, which I think was the one I had last time. Thank you for the meal. The indoor dining has been closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

I visited based on the reviews I saw and the opening hours are from 11:00 to 16:00, so I went right after check-in. The exterior looks like a normal house, and the interior as well. (^0^;) Ice candies start from 130 yen. I bought "Kanoka Mikan" and "Amaou", both for 130 yen (tax included). Kanoka Mikan has a refreshing taste and is delicious. Amaou was harder than I expected. (^0^;) It might be easier to eat if it's a hot day and melts, but on this day, it didn't soften easily. It has a subtle "strawberry" taste. It reminded me of the candies from "Suzuki Shoten" in Kobe's Higashinada-ku, which my daughters and I love. The candies from Suzuki Shoten might be a bit softer. We enjoyed them on the bench in the garden.

Kabashima Hyoka in Yanagawa City offers mango and blood orange ice candy. The mango flavor is made from B-grade mangoes grown in the owner's family farm, while the blood orange flavor uses blood oranges from Fukuoka. Both flavors have a natural sweetness and richness that are enjoyable, especially for students. The cozy house-like store is a relaxing place to visit, although seating inside is currently unavailable. The owner's choice of using a hippopotamus (kaba) in the store's name, despite having no relation to the animal, is considered genius.

Adorable illustration of a cute hippo ice candy from the local ice candy shop, Momijima Hyoga♡ ---------- (Flavor: Matcha) ---------- Among the various flavors available, I chose matcha♡ I thought it would be bitter, but the bitterness is gentle♡ The sweetness is also moderate♡ The smooth texture is exquisite, unlike ice cream or soft serve♡ This is truly ice candy♡ According to a reviewer, the shop has a cozy atmosphere that those familiar with the Showa era will appreciate, so I guess enjoying it in the store is the best way to go♡

I couldn't buy it last time, so I'm giving it another try. You can enjoy traditional ice candy here. It's a small old house, so you might miss it without a sign. They offer a wide variety of ice candies, making it hard to choose. It's refreshing and perfect for hot summer days. You can also purchase them online!

Located about a 5-minute walk from Ohana in Yanagawa, this nostalgic ice cream shop is greeted by two kappa at the entrance. The ice candy ranges from 130-190 yen, while the ice cream is around 300 yen. There is a tatami seating area inside the shop, but it seems there is no heating or air conditioning. I tried the blood orange, amaou strawberry, summer orange, and matcha flavors, and they all tasted fresh and delicious. I hope this ice cream shop continues to thrive in the future.

On the third day of my trip to Fukuoka, I decided to visit a place known as the "Uyuni Salt Flats of Japan" as my first destination during my free time. Despite the challenge of not knowing the exact location and needing clear weather after the rain, I managed to find the place and enjoy the stunning views. It felt like a perfect fit. Then, on my way to the next destination, the Chikugo River Lift Bridge, I made a stop at a charming traditional house that I had missed the day before during a visit to Yanagawa. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the kind woman inside recommended their popular mango ice cream, made from mangoes grown on the property. I decided to try it and was led to a tatami room in the back where I could enjoy the treat. The ice cream was very cold and hard, almost like ice, but it was a nostalgic and delightful experience to enjoy it on the veranda while chatting with the friendly staff. I felt grateful for not giving up and visiting this hidden gem. It was a special moment that felt like fate guiding me. And with that, I continued on to my next destination. Rating: 3.67

Great place