A travel and lifestyle blog by Okinawa-based blogger @owncolorstravel, sharing a Fukuoka trip – Hakata edition – for all fellow travel lovers.
One of my favorite things to do during a trip—or right before heading home—is to look for local souvenirs unique to that area.
It’s kind of a tradition for me to pick up something for close friends, people I’m grateful to, and of course, a little something for myself to keep the travel vibes going. This time, I’ll be sharing some of the souvenirs I bought (and spotted) in Fukuoka, especially around Hakata, grouped by location.
I hope this gives you some ideas if you’re planning a trip to Fukuoka—so let’s jump into what kind of souvenirs you can find there!
・Buying souvenirs at Fukuoka Airport
At Fukuoka Airport’s domestic terminal, the open atrium area connecting the subway entrance, airline counters, and security checkpoints features a futuristic design with smooth, curved lines that really catch the eye.
Most of the souvenir shops are located on the 2nd floor of the domestic terminal building. It’s packed with Kyushu-exclusive items and local Fukuoka specialties, making it the perfect spot to pick up some last-minute souvenirs before your flight.
・Kubara Honke Fukuoka Airport Departure Lobby Store
Kubarahonke is a long-established food company that started out as a soy sauce brewery back in the Meiji era, and later expanded into ramen soup bases, sauces, and their signature spicy cod roe, mentaiko.
Their airport shop has a refined, stylish vibe and brings together products from their brands—Shoboan, known for mentaiko, and Kayanoya, famous for its dashi and seasonings.
They even had samples of their ago dashi (flying fish broth) mentaiko, which I got to try—honestly, it made me crave a bowl of rice right then and there.
Other goodies like grilled mackerel mentaiko or squid marinated in yuzu koji are perfect as rice ball fillings or snacks to go with drinks.
You’ll also find things like takana-jako (pickled mustard greens with baby sardines) and mentaiko furikake—super easy to use and full of flavor. There are even Hakata-exclusive items in the lineup, so it’s definitely worth stopping by!
Lately, I’ve been into making simple and easy breakfasts, so items like these are a great way to add a bit of color and variety to the table.
・The most iconic Fukuoka souvenir has to be Ｍentaiko.
Right next door is Fukuyas’s Fukuoka Airport shop, known for their mentaiko, of course—but they also sell a Fukuoka Airport-exclusive mentai quiche to take home.
It’s made with 100% Hokkaido cream cheese in a gratin-style base, topped with spicy mentaiko flakes. A perfect way to enjoy the flavors of Fukuoka even after you’re back home.
This mentaiko furikake is from Hakata Agootoshi, the original brand of Hakata Marukita Suisan. I gave it as a souvenir from my trip to Fukuoka to a friend who’s recently been really into furikake, and they absolutely loved it.
The flavor of the mentaiko really comes through, so it makes rice extra tasty! Definitely give it a try with your next bowl of rice.
When it comes to food and snacks, everyone has their own tastes, so it can be tough to choose the right thing. But I still try to pick something that suits each person as much as possible.
・When it comes to Fukuoka, ramen souvenirs are also really popular.
I’ve shared about the Ramen Runway at Fukuoka Airport and some of the ramen I had in Hakata in a previous blog post, but you can also find a great selection of ramen souvenirs at the airport shops—perfect for enjoying the taste of Hakata at home.
・Here are some other recommended souvenirs.
Other popular picks include motsunabe (beef or pork offal hot pot), sweets, and snacks from Fukuoka. There are so many tempting options, it’s hard to choose! You’ll also spot a few souvenirs from around Kyushu too.
For example, Nagasaki’s famous Fukusaya castella cake, and LULULUN beauty masks, which come in a Kyushu-limited version scented with kabosu citrus from Oita. The pack I got had 5 sets of 7 sheets—thanks to the refreshing citrus scent, I got to enjoy a little spa-like moment at home every day for a while.
I spotted a super popular NEW ERA vending machine for the first time at an airport! I had no idea they were sold at airports. Turns out they’ve also got machines set up at places like Haneda Airport Terminal 1 (2nd floor departure lobby), as well as in Sapporo and Nagasaki.
・Buying souvenirs at Canal City
You can also find souvenirs at Canal City Hakata, one of Fukuoka’s popular sightseeing spots.
This multi-purpose complex in Hakata Ward has a cool vibe, with a canal running through the center. It’s home to a movie theater, theater, hotel, and more, making it a fun place to shop and explore. If you’re stopping by, it’s a great chance to pick up some souvenirs while you’re there.
Canal City Hakata 1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 812-0018
One of the most popular treats is Hakata Torimon, a soft manju filled with a rich, creamy white bean paste. Even if you’re not usually a fan of manju, this one might win you over as a tasty Japanese sweet.
You can pick it up at The Hakata Gift Shop on the B1 floor of Canal City Hakata, where they also have local sake, shochu, and Hakata-only items.
Look for the entrance marked with “The HAKATA” — that’s your sign!
Grand Hyatt Fukuoka is right next to Canal City, and its open-atrium bar lounge has a luxurious vibe that’s really nice. But it’s currently undergoing a full renovation, so we’ll have to wait a while until it reopens.
・Buy souvenirs at Bayside Place Hakata
Bayside Place Hakata 13-6 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 812-0021
This is Bayside Place Hakata, a waterfront complex located along the port of Hakata. It features ferry terminals to places like Goto, Iki, and Tsushima, as well as restaurants, a hot spring, and an observation tower—making it a great spot to stop by for sightseeing or leisure.
It’s also one of the few places in Hakata where you can enjoy a private hot spring room, which I definitely recommend!
While waiting for my turn at the private hot spring, I took a walk around the area and ended up finding some nice souvenirs too.
There’s a souvenir section inside the Bayside Market, which also sells ready-made dishes, meat, and fresh produce. You’ll also find Hakata Meihingura near the ferry terminal, offering all kinds of Kyushu specialties, and over by the aquarium, Brooklyn Garden has a selection of food items and lifestyle goods.
In this huge aquarium tank, you can see sea turtles and all kinds of saltwater fish. There’s also a piano nearby that anyone can play, and when I was there, someone was performing—so I found myself just stopping to listen for a while.
I listed a few spots by location—did any of the souvenirs catch your eye?
In Hakata, you can find souvenirs pretty much everywhere, so it’s a good idea to just pop into shops you come across while you’re out and about. You might stumble upon something special!
