Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka’s liveliest entertainment complex, immediately draws you in with its spectacular, winding, reddish-brown wave-shaped building! The entire mall is cleverly built around a semi-open-air artificial canal about 180 meters long. Water flows leisurely through the center of the mall, while curved terraces rise in layers on both sides, like a miniature Venice hidden in the heart of the city, full of flowing lines and modern beauty. Head to the central Sun Plaza and enjoy the cool breeze, and you can always feel the open and lively shopping atmosphere.
The biggest highlight of Canal City is definitely the fountain show held at regular intervals in the central pool! Accompanied by powerful, rhythmic music, dozens of jets sway gracefully at times, then shoot several stories high like rockets, with the spray sparkling brightly in the sunlight. At night, there’s also a 3D water-screen projection mapping show that incorporates the building’s glass exterior. Dazzling lights, three-dimensional projections, and dancing water fill the air, instantly transforming the entire mall into a huge outdoor fantasy theater. The visual effects are incredibly impressive!
Besides taking photos and watching the shows, this place is also a shopping paradise packed with food, drinks, and entertainment. On the fifth floor is Ramen Stadium (ラーメンスタジアム), a must-visit for ramen fans from all over Japan, bringing together extremely popular shops from Hokkaido to Kyushu that usually have long lines. Whenever you need a break from shopping, you can choose a rich tonkotsu or flavorful miso ramen and dig in. The mall also has a huge JUMP SHOP, a Disney Store, Sanrio, a large Donguri Republic, and all kinds of trendy clothing and accessories. There’s so much to browse and buy that you could easily spend the whole day here!
Canal City Hakata | Review by Jk
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Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Fukuoka
A large-scale commercial complex that opened on April 25, 2022 on the site of a former fruit and vegetable market in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. It is the first "LaLaport" in Kyushu and boasts approximately 220 stores, many of which opened for the first time in Kyushu.
At the Outdoor Forest Plaza at LaLaport Fukuoka, one quick look up at this enormous robot will definitely leave you speechless at how cool it is! This life-size, 1:1-scale RX-93ff ν Gundam stands nearly 25 meters tall, making it the tallest life-size Gundam statue ever built in Japan. Standing at its feet makes you feel as tiny as an ant. The classic blue-and-white body has incredibly sharp lines, and it carries an eye-catching, exclusive Long Range Fin Funnel on its back. Set against the blue sky, white clouds, and the building's curved exterior, it looks imposing and majestic. Just seeing it from a distance gets your blood pumping and makes it impossible to stop taking pictures!
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Kushida Shrine
This head shrine is said to have been built in the 8th century. Residents in Hakata call it “Okushida san.” Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival declares the arrival of summer to the City of Hakata in July, and is dedicated to this shrine.
At Kushida Shrine in downtown Hakata, Fukuoka, you’ll immediately be captivated by the strong traditional atmosphere of Hakata’s old downtown! Affectionately called “Okushida-san” by locals, it is Hakata’s oldest and most revered guardian shrine, as well as the central starting point of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, which electrifies all of Japan every summer. The most eye-catching sight is definitely the enormous decorative yamakasa float permanently displayed on the shrine grounds! Standing a full two or three stories tall, this colorful float is densely covered on both sides with intricately crafted, lifelike historical warriors and figures from mythology. The colors are vibrant and the details are incredible. Standing underneath and looking up, its bold visual impact will have you snapping photos nonstop!
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Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
The most vibrant street on the island, the "Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street" is lined with stores showcasing Miyajima's specialties. Spanning approximately 350 meters, this arcade street leading up to the grand torii gate of "Itsukushima Shrine" is packed with souvenir shops, stores offering local crafts, and eateries serving Miyajima gourmet delights. With a dense collection of stores offering souvenirs and local foods emblematic of Miyajima, it's recommended to stroll this shopping street first when you visit the island.
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street—the aroma of sizzling grilled oysters and the huge crowds completely overwhelm you! This covered arcade, stretching more than 300 meters, is the main hub for sampling great food and buying souvenirs on Miyajima. The roof protects you from both the sun and rain, while dozens of long-established local businesses and specialty shops line both sides. The air is filled with the aroma of charcoal-grilled seafood and the sweet scent of freshly baked momiji manju. As you stroll along and watch the shopkeepers enthusiastically call out to customers, you just can't stop eating!
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