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 […]

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 […]

Ming

Located on the first floor of Hakata Station, this shopping zone is Kyushu’s largest souvenir shop. Not only are souvenirs of the Kyushu region sold, but sweets, prepared foods, fashion, and general merchandise can also be found. The “Wagashi Kobo,” a Japanese confectionary demonstration and sales corner, is particularly popular. Go ahead and buy some […]

Ebisudo

Amu Plaza Hakata

Amu Plaza houses more than 200 specialty stores— mainly fashion and general merchandise stores— Tokyu Hands Hakata, (a general DIY and general merchandise complex), a large cinema complex, and a restaurant zone called City Dining Kuten that has 47 restaurants. The shopping complex covers roughly 38,000 sq.m. of floor space. It is now a “landmark” […]