Spread over more than 200,000 square metres, Canal City Hakata is Fukuoka's signature shopping destination. In fact, it's so large that it's known as a "city within a city". Inside you can discover over 250 retail stores selling everything from international fashion to Japanese homewares.
A sparkling artificial canal runs through the complex, illuminated with colourful lights and a fountain show scheduled every 30 minutes. If you're looking for entertainment, Canal City Hakata offers a multiplex cinema, game centre and theatre.
The centre offers a wide variety of restaurants, including the famous "Ramen Stadium", which features eight individual ramen bars serving noodle and broth-based dishes from across Japan. Try Hakata-style ramen, which features a rich, creamy pork broth and thin, curly noodles. At night, you can wash down your meal with a glass of "sake" rice wine at one of the trendy bars.
Getting there
Canal City Hakata is in the heart of Fukuoka on the banks of the Naka River. Take a 15-minute walk from the Hakata or Tenjin subway station or ride the Canal City Line bus to the main entrance. Taxis pick up and drop off passengers outside the main entrance.