Looking for a Local Shopping Experience at Canal City Hakata in Fukuoka

Kyushu Shopping Canal city

2019.04.23

KALDI COFFEE FARM, ViTO, SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH, and more!

Kyushu

Located southwest of Japan you will find an island named Kyushu (九州). It is filled with unique history, some of Japan's most friendly people, natural hot springs, and delicious food. If you are a fan or Japanese characters/mascots ("yura-chara"), then you know Kumamoto Prefecture's Kumamon (くまモン), the big black bear that won Japan's most popular mascots a few years ago. When it comes to traveling to Kyushu though, for many foreigners primarily Nagasaki and Beppu (Oita Prefecture) are the only places that come to mind. Fukuoka though is a really fun place that shouldn't be left out, especially if you are a ramen fan!

Traveling to Hakata, Fukuoka

Fukuoka is a really great place to start your Kyushu travel. For starters, the trains are super easy to navigate and the Fukuoka International Airport is only 2 miles (4 kilometers) from the main station Hakata Station. Within Hakata alone there is plenty of things to do and see.

Two Things You Have to Eat in Fukuoka

Ichiran Ramen Main Store

We all have heard of Ichiran, but while in Fukuoka why not eat at their first store!?

Google Maps
⏰24hrs
💻Official website
串と水炊博多松すけ (Kushi to Mizutaki HAKATA Matsusuke)

Fukuoka is famous motsunabe (もつ鍋), a hot pot made with beef or pork guts. But for those who don't want to challenge the intestines, another delicious and famous dish is mizutaki nabe (水炊き鍋) made with no guts, just chicken.

Canal City B1
⏰ Lunch 11am〜3pm (Last order 2:30pm) / Dinner 5pm〜11pm (Last order 10pm)
💻 Official Instagram

Hakata Shopping Center: Canal City Hakata

After coming to Fukuoka and strolling through the first long Tenjin shopping arcade, you will want to visit the cities largest and elaborate shopping complex that is called "a city within a city", Canal City Hakata. There are more than 200 shops here, along with numerous restaurants, a performance theatre, hotels, movie theatres. There are many tax-free services in the shops at Canal City Hakata, but even if you don't plan on doing any shopping this shopping mall is a nice place to walk around.

★Canal City Hakata
Google Maps
⏰10am〜9pm / Restaurants 11am〜11pm
💻Official website (ENG)

One of the shows you can see at Canal City is a panoramic water show combined with music and light sculpture is said to be the largest in Japan. The water show can be seen from all angles from B1 to the 4th floor.

Popular Stores at Canal City

KALDI COFFEE FARM

KALDI offers many international groceries and coffee. While you can see them all throughout Japan, each store sells something different from the other.

*East Bldg. 1F

ViTO

Fukuoka Italian gelato store ViTO has a number of Japanese flavors that and ingredients.

*Business Center Bldg. 1F

SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH

If you're curious about the popular fashion trends of Japanese fashion, SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH is the place to go.

*East Bldg. 1F

Stripes are part of the spring look
Practical and versatile bags and shoes

Kyushu already has a warm climate compared to other regions in Japan, so many of the clothes at the store suit that temperature. In the women's section a majority of the clothes are light colors and chiffon.

Sale No.1 jacket with chiffon floral skirt
A sports hoody with a girly skirt is a popular fashion combo
High waist design + short top for a more slender, sleek look

Plaid slip-ons
There are also a lot of accessories

Plenty of earrings for both pierced and unpierced ears

Of course, there is also men's wear.

In addition to URBAN RESEARCH's own brand, they have a number of famous worldwide brands they collaborated with. One of their most popular collaborative brands is with FILA. With the cool temperature and light material of the fabric, along with the unisex designs, it makes the clothing a popular choice.

By our surprise, URBAN RESEARCH and NASA launched joint-name products!

Lightweight CabinZero backpack
FILA fisherman hats
Bright socks

Japanese Spring and Summer Fashion Store

If you live in a pretty warm climate place and want something that is special to Japan and Japanese fashion, shopping at SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH is highly recommended.

★SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH Canal City Store
East Bldg. 1F
⏰10am〜9pm
💻Official website

Get Some Food and Drinks at Hakata's Famous Food Stalls

For nightlife entertainment, there are lines of food stalls (屋台; yatai) along the water right next to Canal City. You can enjoy a variety of dishes such as oden (a type of hot pot), yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), Hakata's famous pork broth (tonkotsu) ramen, and various alcoholic drinks. It is easily the best place to spend time at night.

Other Popular Places to Visit in Kyushu

There are of course many great things to see in Fukuoka like Dazaifu (大宰府), Ohori Park (大濠公園), and Shofukuji (聖福寺), but if you get the chance to travel around Kyushu here are three recommendations of places to visit.

Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri)

Although you can't actually take a relaxing bath here, Beppu's Jigoku Meguri or "Hell Tour" has a history of over a thousand years. With seven different types of onsen (known as "hells"), it comes second to Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
Yufuin

After Beppu and Kusatsu, Yufuin ranked No. 3 in the number of hot springs in Japan. If you rent a car, driving around the countryside is also lovely with a view of Mount Yufu.
Ibusuki Onsen

Japan's only natural sand bath hot springs and it's in Kagoshima! Immersing yourself in a warm sand bath (with a temperature as high as 176℉ (80℃)) helps get rid of toxins, relieves fatigue, and is said to have skin beautifying effects.

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Basic Info

Name	SENSE OF PLACE by URBAN RESEARCH
Station	Hakata Station
Tel	092-260-8261
Website	http://senseofplace.jp/