Kawabata Shopping Arcade

Kawabata-dori Shopping Arcade is a shopping street in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. It stretches about 400 meters along the Hakata River and is lined with around 100 shops. An arcade roof allows visitors to shop regardless of the weather. It is a popular shopping street used by both tourists and local residents. Every November, a bargain-sale event called “Seimonbarai” is held, during which lottery tickets for an “Ebisu-kuji” drawing are distributed, drawing large crowds. Because Nakasu is nearby, there are shops catering to staff working in Nakasu, and because many temples are in the area, there are also many Buddhist-altar shops. “Kawabata Zenzai” (a sweet red-bean soup) is a famous specialty—very sweet and delicious. The arcade has a “Kawabata Zenzai Plaza,” which opens on holidays and during festivals (it ends when sold out, so it’s best to go early). Canal City Hakata and Hakata Riverain are also nearby, so the foot traffic is heavy. The area is said to be a town where Hakata merchants’ spirit lives on, and more than 10,000 people visit Kawabata-dori Shopping Arcade every day. Access is about a 15-minute walk from Hakata Station.