1. Where the History and the Culture of the Past Still Breathes: Hakata Old Town

As a thriving center of international trade even from ancient times, Hakata thrived during Japan’s middle ages (from roughly 1200 ~ 1600). Hakata Old Town is an area near Hakata Station where you can witness and experience this culture. 

Proceed along a road lined with office buildings and you’ll suddenly find yourself among temples and shrines. The quiet and tranquil energy of the area is totally unlike that of the bustling city center a few moments ago.

In this area there are many vestiges of Hakata’s past and traditions, allowing you to visualize the lively environment in which local merchants conducted their business with traders from mainland China. 

Hakata Old Town Area
Address: 1-7, Hakataekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City [MAP]
 

Hakata Sennennomon
(Hakata Thousand Year Gate)

Built in 2014, Hakata Sennennomon has come to represent the welcome gate to Hakata Old Town and is well-loved by locals and visitors alike. 

Why not take a photo standing in front of the gate as a souvenir? Upon passing through the gate a traditional stone road guides you between the two halves of the historical Jotenji Temple.

📍Hakata Sennennomon/Hakata Thousand Year Gate
Address: Jotenji-dori, 1 Hakataekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City[MAP]

Kushida Shrine

Kushida Shrine is the tutelary shrine of Hakata and has a deep affinity with the festivals in the area. The most notable of these is Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a festival that was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and even added to the registry of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages. Later in the year is Hakata Okunchi, or fall festival of Hakata, which expresses gratitude for the yearly harvest. 

Another must-see is the depiction of the zodiac on the ceiling of the great tower gate (Roumon or Shinmon) at the entrance of the shrine. Known in Japanese as the Eto Ehouban, this board features an arrow which points in a direction associated with good luck for the duration of that year. 

📍Kushida Shrine
Address: 1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City　[MAP]

2. Taiyaki Packed Full of Delectable Sweet Bean Paste: Hakata Hiiragi

Hakata Hiiragi is a store that specializes in a Japanese cake called taiyaki. For those who aren’t aware, taiyaki are a kind of griddle cooked pancake-type pastry stuffed with sweet fillings and made in the shape of a fish.

These famous sweets are cooked to perfection with a crispy exterior and filled with a homemade sweet bean paste made with adzuki beans from Hokkaido. Not too sweet, the chunky texture of the filling makes it fun to munch on. 

There is a small bench in front of the store, allowing you to eat the taiyaki as soon as they’re prepared. The seasonal taiyaki-kun also comes recommended, featuring an entire taiyaki resting atop a serving of soft serve ice cream. 

At Hakata Hiiragi you can really get a feel, and taste for, Japan’s nostalgic good old days. 

📍Hakata Hiiragi
Address: 2-4-38 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City [MAP]
Hours: 10:00 ~ 18:00
*Open until stock runs out
*Please confirm the current operating hours with the store directly
*Holidays: Sundays, unscheduled days
*TEL: 092-725-3783
For more information please check @hakata_hiiragi

3. Playful and Delectable Japanese Sweets: Okashi TUGI

TUGI is a store that specializes in wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets.

Inside the store over 30 varieties of Japanese confection are arrayed in front of you like artwork in a museum gallery. Wanting to communicate the flavor of anko bean paste to others, the store offers sweets made with Japanese flavor sensibilities at the forefront. 

Inside the store over 30 varieties of Japanese confection are arrayed in front of you like artwork in a museum gallery. Wanting to communicate the flavor of anko bean paste to others, the store offers sweets made with Japanese flavor sensibilities at the forefront. 

Both a treat for the eyes and the mouth, please give these wagashi a try! One can also eat inside the store. 

📍Okashi TUGI
Address: 1-10-15 Shirogane, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City [MAP]
Hours: From 12:00 until they sell out
*Please come early as they often run out of supplies quickly.
*Please confirm their hours with the store directly.
Holidays: Tuesday・Wednesday
TEL: 092-521-3833
For more details please check @okashi_tugi

4. Experience Traditional Handicrafts: Hakata Magemono Tamaki

Hakata Magemono Tamaki is a store that specializes in traditional Hakata handicrafts, specifically magemono. 

Magemono are a type of container with roots reaching back to the Edo Period (1603-1868) and feature pieces of wood that are bent to form containers and other small objects.

At Tamaki they sell and display these items, featuring a wide variety of handmade flower vases, trays, containers, and other objects.

One can even participate in a hands-on workshop that will allow you to make your very own magemono to take home with you!

This is a valuable traditional experience that will provide you with the opportunity to learn from a master of the craft directly. It would truly make for the perfect gift or souvenir. 

In March 2025, magemono making was added to Fukuoka Prefecture’s list of intangible cultural heritages, with the 18th generation Tamaki Shibata (Mariko Shibata) an official practitioner of the venerable traditional craft. 

“With a legacy of over 400 years, we invite you to come and experience one of Hakata’s traditional craft cultures” Shibata-san says. 

📍Hakata Magemono Tamaki
[Showroom]
Address: 3-8-18, Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City [MAP]
Hours: 11:00 ~ 17:00 
Days: 092-651-0469
For more details please check the homepage

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Have any of these locations tickled your fancy? Please enjoy charm of Fukuoka’s traditional culture and history for yourselves!