Hakata: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Hakata Ward in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, serves as the gateway to Kyushu’s largest city and stands as a vital hub of commerce and transportation. Hakata Station, where the Kyushu Shinkansen, conventional rail lines, and subway converge, is Kyushu’s largest terminal station, with over 100 million passengers annually making it a bustling center of urban activity.

Hakata has a rich history as a trading port with the Asian continent since ancient times, and traditional festivals such as Hakata Gion Yamakasa and Hakata Dontaku continue to thrive today. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, in particular, boasts over 780 years of history and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Every July, the spectacular “Oiyama” race captivates countless visitors.

In terms of cuisine, Hakata is home to numerous nationally renowned specialties, including Hakata tonkotsu ramen, mizutaki (chicken hot pot), motsunabe (offal hot pot), and karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe). At the Nakasu yatai street food stalls, visitors can experience Hakata’s unique food stall culture while savoring local flavors.

Around Hakata Station, large commercial facilities such as JR Hakata City, Hankyu Department Store, and KITTE Hakata offer excellent shopping and dining options. Within walking distance from Hakata Station, visitors can explore Kushida Shrine, the guardian shrine of Hakata, and the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum to immerse themselves in Hakata’s history and culture.