- No-23
- Ryotei Kinnabe, front gate
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■ Commentary
Up until the early part of the Meiji period (1868–1912), Wakamatsu was nothing more than a fishing village. However, the port grew as a shipping port for coal as the coal industry in Chikuho Coalfields got into full swing. Furthermore, growth was spurred by port improvements carried out by Wakamatsu Chikko Kaisha that was founded in 1890 and economic development due to the opening of the Chikuho Kogyo Railway in 1891. Wakamatsu came to be known throughout Japan as “the coal town, Wakamatsu.” At the time, coal was called known as black diamonds, and Wakamatsu became a vibrant place through the coal business. Together with the economic prosperity, luxurious Japanese-style restaurants and the red-light district also flourished.
Ryotei Kinnabe, which was founded in 1895, is located in the town center of Wakamatsu District (previously, the town of Wakamatsu). It was one of the many prominent Japanese-style restaurants in Wakamatsu that have existed since from the early Taisho era (1912–1926) up to today. It became famous for being the first in Kyushu to serve gyunabe (beef hot pot), which was popular in the Meiji period (1868–1912). It served gyunabe in gold pots because of the restaurant’s name, Kinnabe (literally, gold pot). Apparently, the flavor won over many businesspersons businesspeople and intellectuals. Since the original building was struck damaged by natural disaster, the current main building was rebuilt from between the end of the Meiji period (1868–1912) until and the early Taisho era (1912–1926) and is still being used as a Japanese-style restaurant today.
In addition, there used to be an annexed theatre next door for which Kinnabe also supplied catering. As an establishment that undertook provided the 3 elements of theatre, catering, and restaurant, undoubtedly it had a central existence in the entertainment world of Wakamatsu in its heyday. In tThe 1937 annual, “The History of Local Government & Industry in Fukuoka Prefecture ” it appears asmentions “restaurants, Midoriya, Kinnabe, Tokiwa, Manyasu, and 48 others,” indicating it was a leader in then industry leader.
The front gate that greets customers has swinging doors that both swing open and copper roofing on the eaves. There are square columns on the 2-meter frontage, and brackets and other components made from round timber. It has a modern tea-ceremony arbor design that includes glass transoms on either side of the gate.
The main building is a long, narrow 3-story wooden structure with a hip-and-gable roof with and anthe entrance on the short side. On thethe entire exterior was black outside, as the original walls were black lacquer, the entire exterior was black. It has long been a familiar part of the Wakamatsu landscape.
Western and Japanese-style designs are mixed throughout the interior. The gorgeousness of the Japanese-style restaurant and the sensual features of a place for amusement are expressed in elements such as the black-toned walls and windows with a bat motif.
The main building’s heavy black lacquer exterior and stylish front gate today communicate the success of Wakamatsu in those times. It has a valuable presence as a building that maintains the area’s disappearing historical landscape. -
■ Information
Address：2-4-22 Hon-machi, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture
Tel： 093-761-4531
Parking：Not available
Hours : Lunch (11:00–15:00), Dinner (17:00–22:00)
Closed : No regularly scheduled closings
Fee :
Other/Notifications：
URL: -
■Category
Category: Constituent cultural properties
Genre: Story 3
Areas:Wakamatsu/Tobata area
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