Nishiko Food Service, Operator of 'Katsukiya' and 'Kicchōan' Across Kyushu Including Hakata and Kumamoto Stations, to Open 'Yame Flagship Store' at Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine

Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture (Gūji: Yuki Yosimoto) has decided to collaborate with Nishiko Food Service Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yame City, Fukuoka; President: Yūhei Kōki) to open a new store, 'Katsukiya Yame Main Store (tentative),' on the site of the former 'Kamikake Chaya' within the shrine grounds.

The store is scheduled to open in early September of Reiwa 8. Prior to construction, a dedication ceremony was held at Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine to pray for the safety of renovation workers and the prosperity of the store.

A New Collaborative Model: Shrine and Company Co-Creating the Community

This initiative goes beyond a simple tenancy arrangement.

It is a collaborative project in which Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine and Nishiko Food Service leverage their respective strengths to promote regional charm, boost tourism, and disseminate local food culture.

Fukushima Hachimangu will not only provide the physical space within its precincts but will also actively support the store through joint information dissemination via official social media, events, and local networks, contributing to regional revitalization.

Positioning the Yame Main Store as a Regional Brand Hub

The new store will serve as the 'Yame Main Store'—a flagship location for Nishiko Food Service to promote the regional brand.

The store will feature:

- Menu items utilizing Yame-cha (Yame green tea)

- Traditional Japanese set meals centered around 'okowa' (steamed glutinous rice)

- Seasonal dishes made with local ingredients

- Sweets and takeout items

- Sales of locally distinctive products

All designed to convey the unique character of Yame through food.

The menu will center on several varieties of okowa steamed on-site, complemented by traditional Japanese cuisine that highlights local produce. Guests can enjoy premium Yame tea—renowned for its quality—paired with thoughtfully crafted dishes.

Yame is one of Japan’s most celebrated tea-producing regions. The store aims to communicate the region’s charm through cuisine, offering set meals featuring okowa and seasonal menus that incorporate the freshest local ingredients.

The store also aims to become a new community hub, welcoming not only shrine visitors but also local residents, tourists, and inbound travelers.

Preparations will now proceed with renovations targeting an early September opening, creating a vibrant new gathering place for locals, tourists, and worshippers alike.

Yuki Yosimoto, Gūji of Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine

"Fukushima Hachimangu is not only a place of prayer but also a space that connects people and communities. Through this collaboration, we aim to add the new appeal of 'food' to the shrine experience, allowing more people to discover the culture and charm of Yame. We hope this locally rooted initiative will become a beloved destination for many."

Yūhei Kōki, President of Nishiko Food Service Co., Ltd.

"The Yame Main Store is not just another restaurant—we aim to develop it as a flagship store that actively promotes the region’s unique appeal. By serving dishes crafted from local ingredients and Yame tea, we will work alongside Fukushima Hachimangu to create new vitality in the community."

Nishiko Food Service Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1961, the company has been operating food-related businesses for over six decades. Under brands such as 'Katsukiya' and 'Kicchōan,' it operates stores across Kyushu, emphasizing meticulous, handcrafted food production with care and attention.

● Nishiko Food Service Official Website

https://nishiko-fs.co.jp/

● 'Katsukiya Yame Main Store' Official Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/katsukiya_yame

About Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine

Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine is located in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture. In recent years, beyond traditional rituals and prayers, the shrine has introduced seasonal goshuin (red stamps), night visits, pet blessings, and cultural events to make the shrine more accessible and engaging for the public.

● Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine Official Website

https://fukushimahachimangu.or.jp/

● Fukushima Hachimangu Shrine Online Shrine Shop

https://fukushimahachimangu.or.jp/jyuyosho/