――Congratulations on winning 1st place for "Hakata Ichigo Ichigo" for two consecutive years! Could you tell us about the ultimate commitment that continues to captivate so many people over the years?
Kuju九十九 Island Group Representative (hereafter, Representative): Thank you so much. The greatest charm lies in the delicate texture that shifts with every single bite, blending harmoniously with the sweet and sour delight of Amaou strawberries. We’ve sandwiched Amaou strawberry chocolate inside a tuile infused with fermented butter and strawberry paste, baked to a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth, fluffy perfection. Topped with almonds for a delightful textural accent. The rhythmic, memorable naming is also something our customers adore. (*32% Amaou strawberries used in strawberry content, *91% fermented butter used in butter content)
Takabe: Such delicate attention to texture and flavor balance! How do you feel celebrating this second consecutive victory?
Representative: Last year, just one month after its launch, it rose to the pinnacle of Fukuoka and Hakata souvenirs, receiving an overwhelming response. Receiving this prestigious award once again this year, thanks to everyone's warm support, fills us with deep gratitude. To everyone who voted, thank you sincerely. Cherishing this wonderful connection, we will continue to liven up Hakata Station's Ming and Akai Fusen, while carefully nurturing "Hakata Ichigo Ichigo" as a new classic "Hakata Souvenir."
The Exquisite Marriage of Pie and Cream — The Commitment Behind "Butter Mille-feuille [Amaou Strawberry]"
――Ranked 2nd this time, BUTTER&bee's "Butter Mille-feuille [Amaou Strawberry]" made its debut last year. Could you share the key points you focused on regarding the crispy texture and the marriage of butter and honey?
Takabe: Following Akai Fusen's consecutive wins, its sister brand [BUTTER&bee] has also ranked near the top—truly impossible to take your eyes off them!
Representative: Thank you so much. For the "Butter Mille-feuille [Amaou Strawberry]," we meticulously baked caramelized-surface pie crusts to a fragrant, heart-captivating finish. By adding a gentle touch of honey to a sweet-and-sour cream infused with Amaou strawberries and browned butter, we further accentuated the rich depth of butter and the vibrant tartness of strawberries. The harmony between the fragrant pie and the cream creates a taste that naturally makes you reach for "just one more."
With Deep Gratitude: The Ming Hakata Station Campaign and Looking Ahead
――Could you tell us about the thoughts and feelings behind the "Hakata Ichigo Ichigo" giveaway campaign starting today (August 10, 2026), as well as your future initiatives?
*This campaign has now ended.
Takabe: I am so excited to hear that a special commemorative campaign is being held to celebrate the award!
Representative: We prepared this campaign out of heartfelt gratitude to our customers who cherish our brand every day and those who choose it as a gift for loved ones. We wanted to answer warm wishes like "I want to taste it myself before gifting it to someone" or "I want to share this deliciousness with people close to me," so this time we are generously offering a set of three pieces.
Takabe: Lastly, could you share your vision for the future?
Representative: Alongside accompanying the travel memories of visitors to Hakata, we will continue delivering seasonal items and captivating new products so that our local patrons who support us daily can always feel excited.
We look forward to your continued warm patronage.