Ajifurai Curry 1030 yen Ebi Fry & Unzen Ham Lunch 1030 yen Before watching a play at the art theater, we dashed out of Riverwalk to have lunch at this restaurant. Looking at the menu, there were surprisingly many types of curry. I wonder if Seicho Matsumoto liked curry. Initially, I thought about getting the Pork Cutlet Curry, but ended up changing my mind to the popular No. 1 choice, the Ajifurai Curry. My friend, Mineo Taro, ordered the Ebi Fry & Unzen Ham Lunch. The Ajifurai Curry had zero spiciness. The curry itself was a typical delicious Western-style curry. The Ajifurai was also delicious. As for Mineo Taro's lunch, the visual presentation was quite disappointing. It looked very different from the photo on the menu. The Unzen Ham was mini-sized and the Ebi Fry was small. The taste was not bad, but there was a shortage of side dishes, so he ended up pouring rice into the miso soup. They accept PayPay.

I visited Kitakyushu in the latter half of July. After having soba at Hakata Station, I arrived in Kokura. I had a rough plan in mind, which included visiting the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, Nanjing Senryo, and a ramen shop in Kokura run by the son of the founder of a famous tonkotsu ramen shop in Saga. However, due to the hot weather and unexpected closures, my plans changed on the spot. When I arrived in Kokura around 11:40, I realized I should have gotten off at Nishi-Kokura Station instead. But since I was already there, I decided to visit Shotei Cafe near Kokura Castle. I was surprised to learn that it is located in the Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum, dedicated to the famous author from Kitakyushu. After a long walk from Kokura Station to the cafe, I ordered a matcha roll cake set. The sponge of the cake was green due to the matcha flavor, and it was served with jasmine tea instead of water. The cake was not too sweet, and it paired well with the coffee. After enjoying the cake and cooling down, I explored the museum, particularly impressed by the recreated study and reception room of the author. I then walked through the south side of Kokura Castle and headed towards the Tanga Market area, passing by the impressive building of the Kitakyushu City Hall and a vast park nearby. Overall, it was a surprising and enjoyable experience in Kokura.

Seicho Matsumoto has left behind numerous works, but among them, "The Castle of Sand" stands out. It was adapted into a film, and Tetsuro Tamba's performance is truly moving. Other masterpieces include "Points and Lines," "Zero Focus," and more. Personally, I find "The Sphere of the Wilderness" to be a wonderful work as well. His exploration of Showa history is impressive. His creativity, storytelling, and deep insights shine brightly in literary history, alongside authors like Shiba Ryotaro. As many authors come and go, he will always be respected and loved eternally. Will such a genius appear again? New fans will surely be born in each era. This memorial museum showcases the footsteps of this great star. This is my second visit, and I am once again deeply impressed. The fully bloomed cherry blossoms at Kokura Castle are breathtaking. Each of his works is profound and thought-provoking. Time flies by when considering the various developments and backgrounds. And as promised, the café. The castle walls and lingering cherry blossoms are right before you. The coffee here is meticulously brewed, unlike typical museum cafés. The flavor lingers, and I feel completely refreshed. Now, off to the Dan Koshi Market. Coffee set.

I read Edgar Allan Poe's short stories in high school. I remember "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Oval Portrait," and "A Descent into the Maelström." Particularly, "A Descent into the Maelström" left a lasting impression on me, with the terrifying image of being swallowed by a whirlpool. I learned that if you encounter a whirlpool, you should fix your body to something cylindrical to make it less likely to be sucked in - a piece of knowledge I never thought I would use. Yet here I am, over 30 years later, about to encounter a whirlpool. Inspired by the exhibition "Edgar Allan Poe and Seicho Matsumoto" at the Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum, the limited menu at the "Listening Café" features a dish called "Swallowed by the Black Curry with Salad" for 850 yen (tax included). This dish is supposedly inspired by "A Descent into the Maelström." The black curry is adorned with a swirl made of sour cream. The salad comes with cheese cut into human and fish shapes. If you didn't know the story, you might find it cute or delicious, but knowing the novel's content gives it a slightly dark feeling. Furthermore, the accompanying instructions suggest "immerse the cheese in the swirl to experience the thrill" (not in a commanding tone), and as a result of immersing them, the human and fish shapes succumb to the heat, or are stirred by the spoon and slowly dissolve. A cruel outcome where no one (not even the fish) survives. A sense of nihilism. Despite these reflections, I actually had fun immersing the human and fish-shaped cheese♪ Oh, did they forget the rice? But it's silly to think about such trivial matters. Of course, there is an underwater volcano beneath the whirlpool, making it interesting to dig into. The curry roux is similar to a store-bought curry, ranging from medium to spicy and very delicious. In addition to the visual and performance fun, the taste is also of high quality. It's a limited-time menu, so if you want to be "swallowed by the whirlpool," be sure to try it. I only caught a glimpse, but it seems there was also curry udon (with deep-fried horse mackerel) on the menu. I'll try it if I get the chance.

In the Ogura Castle Ruins Park, there is the Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum. It is surprising to see the collection of books in Seicho Matsumoto's former home, even if you are not familiar with him. The timeline that juxtaposes social events and his works is deeply moving. While exploring, I occasionally caught whiffs of curry and coffee that tickled my nose. The lovely cafe inside the museum, with its inviting scents, was a delightful surprise. Since the weather was nice, I took a break outside with a cup of coffee ☕️ The autumn leaves were beautiful, but I'm sure the cherry blossom season is equally wonderful.

The emperor of Japanese mystery writers is Seicho Matsumoto. He used to live in Kokura and won the Akutagawa Prize for his work "A Certain Kokura Diary". Kokura is where Mori Ogai worked as a military doctor, which inspired some of Matsumoto's short stories. Matsumoto worked at the Asahi Shimbun's Western Headquarters before moving to Tokyo to focus on writing novels. He left behind a vast body of work, with around 700 books to his name. The memorial hall showcases all aspects of Matsumoto's literature, divided into six genres: modern novels, mystery novels, historical novels, contemporary history, ancient history, and period dramas. The first floor provides a comprehensive overview of his creative activities through exhibits and graphic panels. The timeline of Matsumoto's life, along with news footage from the time, is also featured. The highlight is a 22-meter long timeline that provides insight into the historical background. In the mystery theater, the documentary film "Japan's Black Mist: Distant Exposure" is screened, based on Matsumoto's non-fiction work. The film is made up of valuable archival footage and photos, shedding light on the post-war Matsukawa incident that left a significant impact on Japanese society. Matsumoto is known for his socially conscious works, spanning mystery novels, contemporary fiction, biographical novels, and historical fiction. His diverse achievements showcase his genius. Personally, I am fond of "Pro Bono" but I also enjoyed reading "Points and Lines" as a child. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. The cafe on the premises is charming, with a terrace overlooking Kokura Castle's stone walls. It's a perfect spot to reflect on Matsumoto's legacy and favorite novels while enjoying a cup of coffee. The coffee is delicious, and it even comes with chocolate for this price! - Coffee 480 yen with chocolate.

After visiting the Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum, I stopped by this café located inside the museum. I ordered the pancake set. The pancakes themselves were nothing special, but the homemade ice cream served with them had a unique touch. Also, the coffee was delicious. Thank you for the meal.