“Hakata Fukurou (Fukurou)” opened in 2020, is now in its fifth year, and attracts many tourists. Based on the owner Ichi’s experience of traveling around castles across Japan and sharing the appeal of taiko, this place offers participatory programs that let anyone casually experience Japanese culture.

What is the hands-on cultural space “Hakata Fukurou”?

“Hakata Fukurou” is a Japanese cultural experience facility. The main experience is taiko drumming, and you can also combine it with a mochi-pounding experience and tea ceremony (a casual, simplified version). The owner, Ichi, comes from a taiko team. After going independent, he took on “solo performances,” powerfully striking a large taiko drum by himself, and has traveled around castles throughout Japan while doing live streaming and live demonstrations. When travel was restricted during the COVID-19 period, he set up a base in Fukuoka, launched the cultural experience facility “Hakata Fukurou” for international students and inbound visitors, and has been running it ever since.

Three programs you can experience at “Hakata Fukurou”: taiko drumming, mochi pounding, and tea ceremony

Here, we introduce three popular programs for international visitors who come to Hakata Fukurou.

First is the most popular program: the taiko drumming experience. As an introduction, you learn about the background of taiko-making through a roughly 5-minute video, and then Ichi carefully teaches you the stance, how to strike, and the rhythms. The drums at Hakata Fukurou are handmade one by one by artisans at Deguchi Kobo in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, and each one has a different tone. The resonance the moment you bring your hands down is more refreshing than you’d imagine, and it feels as if energy wells up from within. The act of drumming also looks great in photos and videos. If participants take photos for each other, you can capture “the coolest strike of your life.”

Next, we’ll introduce the mochi-pounding experience. Mochi is a traditional Japanese food that has been loved since long ago. There is also a New Year’s custom of offering mochi called “kagamimochi” to the gods, and mochi-making through “mochi pounding” has special meaning as a good-luck tradition. The “usu” (mortar) and “kine” (mallet) used to pound mochi have also been cherished as symbols of family prosperity.

In traditional mochi pounding, long preparation is required, such as soaking glutinous rice from the day before and steaming it on the day. At Hakata Fukurou, Ichi takes care of all of that preparation, so participants can begin right away after arriving with the most fun main step—pounding mochi using the usu and kine. The time you actually swing the mallet doesn’t even take 20 to 30 minutes, and finishing is a race against the clock. It’s a program where you can casually enjoy both the power of pounding mochi and the happiness of eating it.

Another reason it’s popular is that you can enjoy the freshly pounded mochi right away, along with its warm, just-made texture. After it’s pounded, the classic style of eating it with anko (sweet red bean paste) or kinako (roasted soybean flour) is great, and topping it with vanilla ice cream is also recommended—a favorite among international visitors. The fresh warmth and sweetness make the sense of accomplishment from the experience stand out even more.

And the tea ceremony experience (a casual, simplified version) is an easy program that condenses the etiquette into a quick, approachable format. You can join from just one person, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes. When you focus on the sound of the tea whisk moving, the scent of the steam, and the feel of the tea bowl in your hands, your mind strangely settles, even in a short time. It’s a cup of tea that gently opens the door to tea ceremony, which can seem difficult.

You can freely combine the experiences, such as taiko → mochi pounding, or taiko → tea ceremony. You can also participate in only one program, so you can choose the best flow to match your schedule and group size.

Because it’s participatory, it gets exciting! Fun to film, satisfying to play!

The appeal of the taiko experience is not just hitting the drum, but the “participatory” atmosphere where the whole space naturally becomes wrapped in a sense of togetherness. During the experience, people film each other, and while waiting their turn they cheer along to the rhythm, creating a curious atmosphere that brings even first-time strangers closer.

The appeal of the taiko experience is not just hitting the drum, but the “participatory” atmosphere where the whole space naturally becomes wrapped in a sense of togetherness. During the experience, people film each other, and while waiting their turn they cheer along to the rhythm, creating a curious atmosphere that brings even first-time strangers closer.

Asking the owner: What’s the appeal of “Hakata Fukurou”?

“The facility name ‘Fukurou’ originally means ‘gathering good fortune in a basket and sharing it with everyone.’ I want this to be a place where people who come here smile through cultural experiences, and that good fortune then spreads to someone else.

More than ‘as many individuals as possible,’ I want people from ‘as many countries as possible’ to come. There may be various anxieties in the world right now. But even so, laughing together while playing taiko, pounding mochi together, or calming your mind by making tea—those kinds of ‘small love and peace’ definitely exist, and they naturally bring people closer. I’d be happy if the small sprouts of peace born here are taken back to each person’s country and lead to kindness toward someone else.

Near the facility, there is also a sake brewery called ‘Hakata Hyakunen-gura’ that has been around since the Meiji era, so I also recommend stopping by after your experience at Hakata Fukurou.” (Mr. Ichi)

Details for Hakata Fukurou

Address: 3-10-1 Katakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka Prefecture
Hours: 11:00–19:00
Closed: Irregular holidays (please check social media for the latest information)
Experiences: Taiko drumming / Mochi pounding / Tea ceremony
Languages: Japanese / Simple English
Participants: From one person to groups (up to 25 people)
Duration: 30–90 minutes (varies by program)

Program details and how to book

Taiko drumming experience: 3,500 yen (per person)
The No. 1 popular plan where you can feel the power of a large taiko drum. You can also take photos wearing a happi coat.

Tea ceremony experience: 4,500 yen (per person)
A casual tea ceremony you can enjoy easily in a short time. You can experience Japanese “omotenashi” hospitality.

Mochi pounding experience (includes tasting): 5,500 yen (per person) reservations available for groups of 3 or more
A popular experience where you can enjoy the mochi you pound on the spot. Toppings like anko, kinako, and vanilla ice cream are also well received.

Japanese attire (happi coat rental): 1,000 yen (per person)
Rental costume for the taiko experience and for photo sessions (cleaning fee included).

※Prices include tax. Content and duration may vary depending on the season.
※Group reservations and school programs are also available upon consultation.

How to book: Accepted via the official social media accounts
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Official website

Access to Hakata Fukurou

Address: 3-10-1 Katakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka Prefecture

15 minutes from JR “Hakata Station”
12-minute walk from JR Kagoshima Main Line “Yoshizuka Station”
13-minute walk from Fukuoka City Subway Hakozaki Line “Chiyo-Kenchōguchi Station”
By taxi: about 5 minutes from “Hakata Station”