オススメ度
外国語対応
About Nakasu Kawabata
Nakasu Kawabata consists of two towns with completely different characteristics: the Kawabata district and the Nakasu district.
The Kawabata district has a history as a merchant town that opened along the banks of the Hakata River.
It is also home to a shopping district with a retro atmosphere and a downtown feel, and Kushida Shrine—famous for the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
There are also two large commercial complexes, Riverain Hakata and Canal City Hakata.
The Nakasu area is a long, narrow area about 1 km long and 200 meters wide, bounded by the Naka River and the Hakata River, and is the largest entertainment district in western Japan.
Nakasu Kawabata is a small area, but it is home to 13 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Not to mention there are also more than a dozen food stalls.
This area, a “cluster of gastronomy and beauty,” is like Ginza in Tokyo or Kita-shinchi in Osaka.
But, as a foreigner, this probably doesn’t resonate.
Brief History
Nakasu was built in 1600 by Nagamasa Kuroda (1568-1623), the first feudal lord of the Fukuoka Domain, to connect Fukuoka—a town of warriors where Fukuoka Castle is located—and Hakata—where townspeople lived—when he was building the city of Fukuoka.
He piled up earth and sand on the Naka River and built a bridge to connect the two areas.
After that, the area was a field for a while, but in the late Edo period (1603-1868), as part of the Fukuoka clan’s efforts to restore its finances, a measure was taken to turn the area into an entertainment district, and Nakasu became very prosperous.
In the Meiji period (1868-1912), hospitals, electric light companies, and other public institutions were established one after another, and later in the 20th century, theaters, movie theaters, cafes, and bars appeared one after another, making the area a busy entertainment district.
After World War II, many hostess bars were established and the area flourished again as an entertainment district, where it remains to this day.
Nearby Excursions
The Nakasu Kawabata area is located between Tenjin and Hakata, and is a 10-15 minute walk from both areas, so it’s a good idea to visit them at the same time.
Recommendation
Enjoy shopping and the food, and if you visit at the right time, see the festival.
Shopping
There are two large commercial complexes in the Nakasu Kawabata area: Riverain Hakata and Canal City Hakata.
Compared to the areas around Tenjin and Hakata Station, this area is not as great for shopping, but the above two commercial facilities offer a wide variety of goods from luxury brands to reasonable priced ones.
Eat
Despite the small size of the area, there are approximately 2,000 restaurants and eateries, many of which are of high quality; you won’t be dissapointed.
13 Michelin-starred restaurants exist here! Interestingly enough, more than a dozen street shops or yatai stlls are also here.
Festivals
Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a very famous and exciting festival.
It takes place from July 1 to 15 every year, but the most exciting time is between July 10 and 15.
Starting on July 10, men in traditional loincloths and happi coats (traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coats) carry large floats (dashi) on their shoulders through the town creating a powerful atmosphere.
Access to Nakasu Kawabata/ Data
Nakasu Kawabata is located almost halfway between Hakata and Tenjin.
* From Tenjin it’s about 10-minute walk and a 15-minute walk from Hakata Station, so it is not too far of a walk.
Railways
* Nakasu Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line
* Kushida-jinja-mae station on the Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line
Buses
Most bus routes between Hakata Station and Tenjin pass through the Nakasu Kawabata area.
The fare is around 150 yen, slightly cheaper than the subway.
Although they take longer than the subway, they are convenient depending on where you are visiting.
Below is a link to Nishitetsu bus service.
Shopping
There are two large commercial complexes in Nakasu Kawabata, Riverain Hakata and Canal City Hakata; between them is Hakata Kawabata Shopping Street.
Canal City Hakata
Canal City Hakata is a large commercial complex with a total floor area of approximately 252,500 m2, and is a landmark in the Nakasu Kawabata area. Centered on a 180-meter-long canal, six colorful, pop-colored buildings stand side by side. Inside are not only more than 200 stores and restaurants, but also two hotels, a theater, […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | - 8 min. walk from Nakasu Kaw[…] |
| Tel | 092-282-2525 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
HAKATA RIVERAIN
A large-scale commercial complex with a total floor area of approximately 154,000 m², directly connected to Nakasu Kawabata Station. The complex includes the Hakata Riverain Mall, which houses a variety of stores and restaurants, including fashion, interior design, dining, and entertainment; the Hakataza Theater, which presents a wide variety of performances, including Kabuki; the Fukuoka […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-1 Shimokawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | Directly connected to Nakasu […] |
| Tel | 092-271-5050 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Hakata Kawabata Shotengai
With a history of more than 130 years, this is the oldest shopping arcade in Hakata. The 400-meter-long arcade connecting Hakata Riverain and Canal City Hakata is lined with 130 long-established stores and restaurants. The slightly retro atmosphere makes it fun to walk around.
[ See details ]
| Address | 4, Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 0-10 min. walk from Nakasu K[…] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sightseeing
Shrines and Temples
Kushida Shrine
The shrine is widely known and beloved by Fukuoka citizens as “Okushida-san”, the chief guardian of the city of Hakata. The shrine is also the site of Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a summer festival famous throughout Japan, and Hakata Okunchi, an autumn festival. Located near the southern entrance to the Kamikawabata shopping street, the shrine is […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 4-minute walk from Gion Stati[…] |
| Tel | 092-291-2951 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Eat
Despite being a very small area, Nakasu Kawabata is home to a whopping 13 Michelin-starred restaurants.
It is safe to say that Nakasu Kawabata is one of the most prestigious “gastronomic areas” in Japan.
* Sushi Sakai has the highest rating of three stars.
What makes this area even more interesting id that, at the same time, this area is also famous for its food stalls, which are “friends” of the common people.
Michelin Star Restaurants
The 13 Michelin-starred restaurants consist of 6 Japanese restaurants, 4 French restaurants, and 3 sushi restaurants. Most of the restaurants are reasonably priced, ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 yen at night, about half the price of Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo.
* While 10,000-15,000 yen may not be considered “reasonable,” Michelin-starred restaurant prices are much higher in other countries.
Especially reommended are the below restaurants where you can enjoy a course for about 5,000 yen for lunch.
- Nishinakasu Shiranita
- L’Eau Blanche
- Hiramatsu Hakata
Sushi
Sushi Kubota
[ See details ]
| Address | 10-4, Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 minutes walk from Subway Te[…] |
| Tel | 050-5484-3104 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sushi Sakai
[ See details ]
| Address | 福岡県福岡市中央区西中洲3-20 LANEラウンドビル 2F |
|---|---|
| Access | 10 minutes walk from Subway T[…] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sushi Taro
[ See details ]
| Address | 福岡県福岡市博多区御供所町5-8 グレイス祇園 1F |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 minutes walk from Subway Go[…] |
| Tel | 092-409-1124 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Traditional Japanese
Chiso Nakamura
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-10, Tsumashoji, Fukuoka Hakata-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 7 minutes walk from Subway Na[…] |
| Tel | 092-292-7663 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Nagaoka
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-20, Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 minutes walk from Subway Te[…] |
| Tel | 092-406-9181 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tokimune
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-28 Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 minutes walk from Subway Na[…] |
| Tel | 092-722-1311 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Chakaiseki Nakahan
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-19, Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 minutes walk from Subway Na[…] |
| Tel | |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Nishinakasu Shiranita
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-4, Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 10 minutes walk from Subway N[…] |
| Tel | 092-725-7336 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Ebisudo
[ See details ]
| Address | 5-18, Tsunabamachi, Fukuoka Hakata-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 minutes walk from Subway Go[…] |
| Tel | 092-282-4825 |
| URL |
French
L’eau Blanche
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-4 Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 6 minutes walk from Subway Na[…] |
| Tel | 092-752-2122 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Hiramatsu Hakata
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-1, Shimokawabatamachi, Fukuoka Hakata-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | Directly connected to Nakasu […] |
| Tel | 050-5594-9547 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Aréna
[ See details ]
| Address | 10-3, Nishinakasu, Fukuoka Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 minutes walk from Subway Te[…] |
| Tel | 092-406-4437 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Yatai (Street Stalls)
About 10 to 15 yatai stalls open in the evening, mainly along the Naka River across Kokutai-doro (street).
Compared to Southeast Asia, the number of food stalls is small, but Hakata is the only place in Japan where you can enjoy a food stall street.
The number of yatai has decreased to about a quarter of what it was at its peak.
The disadvantages are that foreign languages are not widely spoken, credit cards are not accepted, and there are no restrooms, but the owners and customers are usually friendly, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the food is of a high quality, so it’s absolutely worth a try.
The price is about 2,000 yen per person for a drink and two dishes, which is not much different from restaurants in town; quite a difference from street stalls in Southeast Asia.
Entertainment
Festivals
If you are planning to visit Fukuoka in July, you should definitely see the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
It’s an unusually exciting festival, and although you cannot participate in it, it is very exciting to watch.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
It is a Shinto ritual dedicated to Kushida Shrine, known as the chief deity of the Hakata area of Fukuoka City, and has a long history of about 800 years. In 2016, it was registered as a World Heritage SiteINtangible Cultural Heritage) by UNESCO, along with 32 other festivals around Japan. Drawing approx. 3.5 million […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Kushida Shrine, 1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 min. walk from Gion Station[…] |
| Tel | 092-291-2951 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Hostess Bars
What follows may be a little offensive to women, so if you are a woman, don’t read it.
Nakasu is a very small area of 0.15 square kilometers, but it is one of Japan’s “three major pleasure quarters” with more than a thousand (or more!) drinking establishments where women will chat and sit next to you.
The other two are Kabukicho in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district and Susukino in Sapporo.
If you want to sweet talk Hakata’s beautiful women over drinks, these are the places to go.
Well, 95% of the time (no data to support this), you won’t be able to do anything, but it will give you something to talk about after you return to your home country.
Hakata women are famous among Japanese for being cheerful, affectionate, and beautiful.
The clubs in Nakasu attract attractive women not only from Fukuoka but also from all over Kyushu.
Entry prices range from 5,000 to 8,000 yen per hour.
Before entering a club, it is advisable to check with the staff to see if there are women who can understand your language, such as English.
The bars listed on the following website are endorsed by the Nakasu Tourist Association, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.
The following is a website run by a general company that provides information on stores.
* All of these sites are written only in Japanese, so please use translation software to decipher the contents.
