The world’s only ELLE café, bringing fashion to Hakata Station in Kyushu

Text & Photography by Chi Binghui

With a history spanning many years, ELLE magazine has a presence across five continents and dozens of countries worldwide, making it a long-standing icon of fashion. But what would such a stylish product look like as a café? The world’s only ELLE CAFÉ is situated on the 4th floor of the newly remodeled Hakata Station — Hankyu Department Store. The white-toned shop is simple and clean, serving a variety of colorful macarons, beverages, and light meals, as well as ELLE accessories and seasonal items. It primarily targets a young female clientele.

In March 2011, the Kyushu Shinkansen was fully opened, and the newly launched “Hakata City” station building is now the largest station and transport hub in Japan, housing over 200 shops including Hankyu Department Store, Amu Plaza shopping center, and the multi-floor Tokyu Hands. There's enough to keep you busy all day. The ELLE CAFÉ on the 4th floor of Hankyu Department Store is especially noteworthy — not only is it the world’s first ELLE-branded eatery, but the interior also features designs by renowned masters Jaime Hayon and Philippe Starck. The space is refined yet distinctive, with natural outdoor lighting creating a bright and clean overall ambiance.

The entrance to ELLE CAFÉ features a transparent display case filled with GLAMOURDISE macarons. These small, vibrant, handmade treats resemble little pieces of art that are hard to resist trying. The brand is created by French chef Marc Glaisse and is highly popular at department store counters in the Kansai region. They pair wonderfully with tea, and there’s also premium THE O DOR black tea available. To the left inside the café is a row of seating and sofa areas, and notably, the shelves on the walls display ELLE magazines from 43 different regions, allowing customers to browse various international editions.