What makes it 60% Kids-Friendly: Children up to 12 can hunt Gashapon toys, taste sweet red-bean soup, and walk easily on the flat, covered path, yet there are no play zones and shops close about 19:00, limiting excitement.
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: A few hours lets you stroll the arcade, try snacks, and browse shops without rushing children.
Browse Hakata ningyo and small toys:
See colourful clay dolls and kid-friendly trinkets in specialty shops.
Tip: Let each child pick a small toy (from ¥500) to keep everyone happy and budgets low.
Share Kawabata Zenzai:
Enjoy mildly sweet red-bean soup with soft mochi at street stalls.
Tip: Visit on Fri–Sun after 17:00; arrive early as bowls sell out by 17:00.
Collect Gashapon figures:
Try capsule toy machines for surprise figurines.
Tip: Set a limit of ¥200–¥300 per play and let each child choose one.
Enjoy covered shopping stroll:
Walk the flat, 400 m arcade under a weatherproof roof.
Tip: Bring a lightweight stroller or scooter for little legs and stay close in crowds.

Alvin Li
Kawabata Shotengai is a shopping street that stretches from Nakasukawabata station to Kushida Shrine station. We started off from Riverain Mall exit and hit the jackpot for their scheduled closing day and went to the ground level. Kawabata Shotengai is Hakata'a oldest shopping street that flourished 130 years ago. It has around 130 shops (coincidence!) lining a 400 metre long arcade. We saw man...
sorlo s
A charming and bustling covered arcade, the historic Kawabata is a welcome escape from modern malls. Its lively, old-school atmosphere is perfect for a casual stroll, offering a fun mix of affordable shops, tasty street food stalls, and unique local souvenirs. Ideal for soaking up everyday Fukuoka life.
Ronald Antonio
Mode Salon, my girlfriend's "go to" place for casual inexpensive dress/tops. I always enjoyed shopping arcades, finding interesting local shops. Canal City is conveniently accessible at one end of Kawabata Shopping Arcade. On the second day, we had a body and feet massage. Very reasonable rates. Looking forward to coming back for more. There are several massage parlors to choose. Found this rame...
Wong Jonathan
Unlike some famous shopping streets in Tokyo or Osaka that are dominated by shops oriented towards tourists, this place houses many local businesses that give visitors an authentic and local experience. While it is full of shops, I am a bit disappointed that many of them close quite early. More than half were already closed when I was there at around 7:30pm.
steven lim
This is a rather quaint, slightly archaic arcade with a beautiful entrance roof arch. The arcade itself is built along two straight avenues, much like a cross, and has a wide variety of shops including tailors, a Daiso and traditional folkware and items. It is said to be the oldest shopping street in the area. Worth a visit if you are in the neigbourhood and it is only 20 minutes' walk from Ca...
Winter to early spring brings weekend zenzai stalls (Fri–Sun). Go before 17:00 to avoid sell-outs.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Kawabata Zenzai (2 bowls) | JPY 1,000 |
| Gashapon toys (4 plays) | JPY 1,000 |
| Hakata ningyo dolls (2 small) | JPY 4,000 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 6,000 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Address: 6-135 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0026, Japan
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Looking for other Things to Do besides Kawabata Shopping Arcade (Fukuoka)?
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+81 92-281-622310 BEST nearby Activities
How You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
10 BEST nearby Activities