Preserving Ancient Crafts

The city's dedication to preserving traditional crafts shines through the recently opened KAIGEIDO gallery. Launched in April 2023 by Nakamura Ningyo, this venue showcases the 400-year-old tradition of Hakata dolls, famous for their exquisite detail and expressions. The gallery’s sophisticated design, with its carefully curated lighting and gray walls, creates an atmosphere where these ceramic masterpieces can come alive, their expressions subtly shifting with the changing light and weather conditions.

The revival of Hakozaki-shima, a traditional textile that had disappeared for seventy years, highlights Fukuoka's dedication to cultural heritage. Thanks to the passionate efforts of Keisuke Obata and Mai Hayashi, this historical fabric - once integral to daily life and festivals - has been reborn through modern machine-weaving at Maison HAKOSHIMA.

The art of Hakata Magemono is another fascinating aspect of Fukuoka's craft heritage. These clever containers, made from steam-bent cedar or cypress and tied up with cherry bark, demonstrate the perfect blend of functionality and artistry. Visitors can try their hand at this traditional craft in workshops led by Tamaki Shibata, an 18th-generation artisan who offers intimate insights into this centuries-old practice.

A Culinary Revolution

Fukuoka cherishes its traditional crafts while embracing a steadily evolving culinary scene. At the forefront of this evolution is Sushi Shima, a restaurant that isn't afraid to reimagine traditional Japanese cuisine and its ingredients. Here, conventional sushi artistry meets contemporary dietary preferences, with the establishment gaining fame for its groundbreaking vegan offerings, including a plant-based take on tonkotsu ramen.

The city's street food culture, exemplified by its lively yatai stalls, tells the story of both resilience and adaptation. Born in the post-war period, these mobile food stalls are a defining feature of Fukuoka and its nightlife. Among them, YATAI CHUSUKE stands out for its deliciously juicy gyoza and tofu oden, drawing both locals and tourists to experience authentic Fukuoka flavors together in the friendly atmosphere of the yatai.

For those seeking top-notch culinary artistry, Yamaya Sohonten Zen offers special dining experience. Under the guidance of  the renowned Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa and Chef Daishiro Abe. the restaurant creates dishes that celebrate Kyushu's seasonal bounty. The restaurant’s design, which earned a well-deserved Good Design Award in 2023, reflects its culinary philosophy, featuring burnt cedar and red clay walls that pay homage to local craftsmanship in a creative new way

The jewel in Fukuoka's sushi scene, Sushi Gyoten, highlights meticulous attention to detail, which defines Japanese cuisine. Owner Kenji Gyoten's distinctive oval-shaped sushi, with its characteristic arched top, shows that even within traditional sushi-making, there's room for artistic expression. The restaurant's three Michelin stars testify to its excellence, with each piece of sushi carefully adjusted to account for seasonal and climatic variations.

A Bridge Between Past and Present

What makes Fukuoka truly remarkable isn’t only its preservation of traditional crafts and culinary novelties, but how these elements combine to create a rich cultural tapestry. The city's artisans and chefs share a common thread - a deep respect for cultural heritage coupled with a fearless approach to innovation.

This duality comes to life in places such as Sushi Shima, where traditional sushi-making techniques merge with inventive vegan offerings, and in the revival of the Hakozaki-shima textile, where ancient patterns are rejuvenated through modern production methods.

The city's traditional crafts anchor it to its rich history, while its dynamic food scene points the way forward. For visitors, this creates an unmatched opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Japanese culture - from ancient artistry to contemporary creativity - all within the confines of this vibrant city.

Whether you're watching a master craftsman bend wood into elegant containers, observing the subtle play of light on a Hakata doll's face, or savoring vegan sushi creations, Fukuoka offers a window into how tradition and innovation can not only coexist but flourish together, creating experiences that resonate with both the past and the present.