The main branch of the chocolate shop is located about a 5-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line, just off Showa-dori Avenue.

This renowned shop has been a beloved institution in Hakata for a long time, having been in business since before the war and considered the "birthplace of chocolate" in the area. We spoke with the second-generation owner, Takashi Sano, to learn why he opened a chocolate shop in this location and what kind of journey it has taken.

Starting from the headwinds of wartime

The origins of "Chocolate Shop" can be traced back to the time when its founder, Gensaku Sano, was an apprentice cook at the former Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. He was so impressed by a single truffle chocolate he encountered there that he decided to travel to Europe, the home of chocolate. At that time, traveling abroad was rare. In a foreign land where he didn't speak the language, he underwent rigorous training with the goal of becoming a "chocolate craftsman recognized by everyone."

In the late 1930s, Gensaku returned to Japan and, while visiting Hakata, met the woman who would later become his wife. He decided to move his base to Hakata and open a shop, but at the time, the effects of the war were still very strong, and the use of foreign languages was prohibited. He wasn't even allowed to put up a sign written in katakana.

In 1942, Gensaku received a conscription notice. Although he had already opened his shop, he vowed, "If I come back alive, I will definitely reopen the shop under the name 'Chocolate Shop'." He designated this day as the "founding year of 1942."

The craftsmanship passed down through three generations

In the post-war period, as Japan aimed for reconstruction, chocolate was still a rarity. However, Gensaku continued to dedicate himself to chocolate making, driven by his belief that "sweets are necessary so that the children who will support Japan in the future can gain more energy."

Later, Takashi Sano, the eldest son and second-generation owner, inherited his father's legacy and returned to Japan after training in Switzerland. While studying the chocolates made by the first generation, he also incorporated the techniques he had perfected himself, developing "Hakata no Ishidatami," the current flagship product, a type of raw chocolate. He propelled "Chocolate Shop" to national fame.

Furthermore, Takashi's daughter, the third generation, Emiko Sano, has also traveled to Europe as a chocolatier and opened her first shop in Paris. Having won awards at the world's largest chocolate festival, the skills cultivated in Hakata are evolving and being steadily passed down through three generations of the family.

The famous "Hakata Stone Pavement (cake)" and a variety of other famous confections

Currently, this "Chocolate Shop" has expanded to include its main store, as well as locations near Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport. However, the reason they have deliberately limited their domestic store openings to within Hakata Ward is because they cherish the fact that this is "the birthplace of Hakata chocolate," a place that has been loved by the local community for a long time.

One of the most popular items at this shop is the "Hakata no Ishidatami (cake)." This product is a derivative of the "Hakata no Ishidatami" developed by Takashi, and while the original "Hakata no Ishidatami" is appealing for its melt-in-your-mouth texture of raw chocolate, the cake is similarly appealing for its soft texture and pleasant mouthfeel.

Composed of chocolate sponge cake, fresh cream, vanilla sponge cake, and chocolate mousse, its moist texture and the different flavors of each layer are its main features. The surface is coated with a thin layer of chocolate, and when you insert a fork, a beautiful cross-section of the five layers is revealed. The product name "Ishidatami" (cobblestone) is said to be inspired by the streets of Paris and the roads where streetcars used to run in Hakata.

Furthermore, the display cases in the store are filled with colorful truffle chocolates that are visually appealing. In addition, the store offers a wide variety of other products, including various chocolates, fresh pastries, baked goods, and gluten-free sweets.

One of the things that supports the taste of these Western-style confections is their strong commitment to ingredients. They use fresh ingredients carefully selected from more than 20 countries around the world, and "they refine their recipes every few years." They also use locally sourced ingredients, such as fresh cream from Kyushu.

"We are currently cultivating cacao in Oita Prefecture, and in the future we are considering selling products that use these ingredients," says Takashi.

Coexisting with the community, towards our 100th anniversary.

In recent years, they have also been focusing on ESD education (Education for Sustainable Development), and it is said that they are actually developing products and holding sales events through special food education classes with students from Munakata City.

"Right now, as we aim for our 100th anniversary, I feel that the most important thing is to continue creating a store that makes customers think, 'It's great that this store is here.'"

Having overcome the adversity of wartime, this chocolate shop has walked hand in hand with the city of Hakata. Its efforts to remain an essential part of the community will continue into the future.

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チョコレートショップ本店
電話：092-281-1826
住所：福岡県福岡市博多区綱場町3-17
アクセス：中洲川端駅から徒歩約5分
HP：https://chocolateshop.jp/store/store01/
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/chocolateshop_hakata/
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