Try Your Hand at Japan’s Unique Art of Food Replica Making
Sample Riki is the place where you can gain hands-on experience in the craft of food replica making and bring home your own, one of the kind creation.
Why Food Displays Are a Part of Entertainment in Japan’s Dining Culture
One of the greatest pleasures of travel is trying local food. But, when you travel abroad and order from a menu written in a foreign language, you will often be left in suspense as to what will actually arrive at the table.
However, that’s not going to be a problem if you are travelling to Japan. Before even going inside the restaurant to take a seat, diners can feast their eyes on realistic 3-D replicas of the food, beautifully showcased in the window.
Food replica making is a practical art that originated in Japan in 1917 and has flourished after the war with the culture of eating out.
Bring Home Your Own One-of-a-Kind Food Replica Creation
Food replica making studio, Sample Riki Co., Ltd., is the fun-filled place in Fukuoka where kids and kids at heart can gain hands-on experience in this uniquely Japanese craft and bring home their own, one of the kind creations that they would not see anywhere else.
Founded in 1949 by Rikio Hashimoto, the studio has perfected its art from wax in the early stage to resin in more recent years.
Today, the company not only offers top quality food replicas to department stores and diners throughout the Kyushu region but also entertains families and groups by teaching them how to create parfait, macarons, tempura, lettuce, and how to decorate items such as cell phones, mirrors, or other knickknacks.
Fry Tempura in Water and Bake Ice Cream in the Oven
Where else in the world can you fry tempura in a bowl of water and bake ice cream in an oven? At Sample Riki, you can make your own parfait and decorate them with hundreds of intricately made, life-like food mix-ins and sprinkles.
You will get started by picking the sauce from six flavors: (1) strawberry, (2) blueberry, (3) melon, (4) chocolate, (5) mango, or (6) blue Hawaii.
Then, squeeze the soft serve out of the big press machine, add cereals, and finish it off by adding a big dollop of whip cream.
Choosing which mix-ins to include in your parfait is a big challenge because you see countless numbers of adorable bear cookies, jellybeans, berries, nuts, etc. you will be tempted to add them all! But be very careful… you have to pay for each mix-ins you choose.
Carefully squeezing out soft serve from the press machine to craft my parfait.
Get into the Action with Tempura and Lettuce Workshop
If you are the kind of person who wants to really get into the action and not worry about paying for the decoration pieces, then you should go for the “Tempura and Lettuce” workshop and try tossing the tempura batter to coat shrimp, Shiitake mushrooms, pumpkin, and Shiso leaves and create lettuce layer by layer all in a bowl of warm water.
Watch how he’s frying tempura in a bowl of water.
Quirky Souvenirs Guaranteed to Spark Conversations About Japan
All of the instructors and staff are very friendly and patient and understand some English. They will help you each step of the way to perfect your one-of-a kind creation. The only thing they ask is that you do not smoke in their studio.
Besides your own creation, you can bring home a cell-phone strap, a key chain, a magnet, or a Sushi clock as souvenirs. I recommend a cell phone strap with a pig bathing in Hakata Ramen noodle.
No matter what you choose, you will have something unique to surprise your friends and start a conversation about your trip to Japan. If you are travelling anywhere around in Kyushu, Sample Riki is definitely the place you don’t want to miss.
📍 Access & Contact Information
Sample Riki Co., Ltd. – Fake Food Replica Studio
4-20-30 Kashiwara, Minami-ku, Fukuoka City 811-1353
🚕 Getting There
If you’re taking a taxi from Tenjin (central Fukuoka), the ride takes approximately 30 minutes and costs between ¥2,500–¥3,000.
📞 Phone: +81-92-567-0018
🌐 Website: https://www.sample-riki.com/english.php
🕒 Workshop Hours & Booking
Workshops are available by advance reservation only
- Morning Session: Starts at 10:00 AM
- Afternoon Session: Starts at 1:00 PM
📌 Please be sure to call ahead to make a reservation directly with the studio.
