Among all the places in Japan, Kyushu region's Fukuoka is famous as a "city of gourmet". There are many local gourmet dishes such as Tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko, and motsunabe, and naturally, there are plenty of delicious souvenirs as well.
With so many options, it's hard to know what to choose... To solve this problem, this article introduces 8 classic souvenirs that can be obtained around Hakata Station and at Fukuoka Airport. All of them are long-selling products endorsed by locals!
*The products and their prices (including tax) featured in this article are all as of January 2024. The packaging and contents may have changed.
If you're buying Fukuoka souvenirs, the area around Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport is convenient!
Fukuoka Airport
Photograph(s) provided by Fukuoka City.
In the Kyushu region, Fukuoka Prefecture has plenty of shopping spots. There are many souvenir shops scattered throughout the prefecture, so many people may be unsure where to buy. In such cases, it is convenient to buy in bulk at Hakata Station, which is often used as the gateway to the journey, or at Fukuoka Airport.
Hakata Station
Photograph(s) provided by Fukuoka City.
The area around Hakata Station, which is served by several railway lines including the Shinkansen, is lined with specialty souvenir shops such as the JR Hakata City directly connected to the station, the Hakata Station Underground Mall (Hakata Ekichikagai), and the shopping mall "MING" located inside the station. The advantage is that there are many souvenir shops that can be used directly from the station, so you can stop by and shop around before returning to your hotel.
On the other hand, Fukuoka Airport (FUK), which operates many domestic and international flights, is also a treasure trove of souvenir shops. In the domestic and international passenger terminal buildings, there are many direct stores of each manufacturer in addition to the general souvenir shops. If you want to make effective use of your waiting time before boarding, it is also recommended to buy in bulk at the airport.
- Official Website:
【JR Hakata City】:https://www.jrhakatacity.com/
【Hakata Station Underground Mall】:https://www.e-ekichika.com/
【MING】:https://www.ming.or.jp/
【Fukuoka Airport】:https://www.fukuoka-airport.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ①: Chidori Manju
When talking about Fukuoka souvenirs, one cannot miss out on "Chidori Manju". It is a staple product of the long-established confectionery shop "Chidoriya", which was founded in 1630 and has more than 35 stores in the prefecture. The trademark is the chidori (plover) brand pressed on the bun surface.
Chidori Manju is characterized by its golden dough made from kneading flour, eggs, granulated sugar, and honey by hand, which is then used to wrap pure white bean paste and baked. The skin is moist and filled with a gentle bean paste. When you put it in your mouth, the subtle sweetness of the white bean paste spreads, and by the time you finish eating one, you will be filled with a sense of happiness. It is sold in bags and boxes, and individual sales are also possible, making it recommended for snacks during your trip.
- Reference price: 1 piece / 194 yen, 5 pieces in a bag / 1,080 yen, 15 pieces / 3,348 yen, etc.
*The photo is of a 5-piece bag - Seller: Chidoriya Confectioneries.,Ltd
- Official website: https://www.chidoriya.co.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ②: Tirolian (Kyushu Paradise Assortment)
Next, we introduce the Western-style rolled rice cracker - "Tirolian" released by Chidoriya in 1962. It's a roll cookie made with milk and butter, filled with cream, and has now become one of the specialties of Fukuoka.
With a variety of flavors and packaging, the "Tirolian (Kyushu Paradise Assortment)" is a perfect choice for a Fukuoka souvenir. It contains six Tirolians each made with Hakata Amaou (brand strawberries), Yame Gyokuro, and Miyazaki mangoes, allowing you to compare the tastes of Kyushu all at once. The fact that they are easy to eat and bite-sized is also a plus!
- Reference price: Short 18 pieces / 1,296 yen, Tirolian small box (Kyushu Paradise) / 324 yen, small bag (short 8 pieces) / 540 yen
*The photo is of the short 18 pieces - Seller: Chidoriya Confectioneries.,Ltd
- Official website: https://www.chidoriya.co.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ③: Meika Tsurunoko
The "Meika Tsurunoko" is a Japanese sweet that wraps golden yolk bean paste in pure white marshmallow dough. Its history dates back to 1910, and it was counted as one of the "three major confectioneries of Hakata" during the Meiji era.
When you cut it in half, a yolk-like bean paste appears! The bean paste, made based on egg yolk, is subtly sweet, contrasting with the mellow marshmallow dough. The gooey yet squishy texture seems to melt both your body and mind♪ The cute appearance like an egg is also a secret of its popularity as a souvenir.
- Reference price: 2 pieces / 350 yen, 5 pieces in a bag / 475 yen, 10 pieces / 1,350 yen etc.
*The photo shows 2 pieces (right) and 5 pieces in a bag (left) - Seller: Ishimura Manseido Co., Ltd.
- Official website: https://www.ishimura.co.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ④: Niwaka Senbei
The package with a downward eyebrow expression exudes an outstanding presence, 'Niwaka Senbei'. If you've ever visited a Fukuoka souvenir shop, you've probably seen this package at least once, haven't you?
This senbei (rice cracker) is inspired by the half-face masks called Niwaka masks, which are part of the traditional performing arts of Fukuoka City, "Hakata Niwaka". The individual packaging of the sweets inside also features these masks. Made with wheat flour, eggs, and sugar, these baked treats are popular for their crispy texture and the savory flavor of the eggs. Every product over 500 yen comes with a bonus Hakata Niwaka mask. It's a fun souvenir that is sure to put a smile on everyone's face.
- Reference price: Small 3 pieces x 4 boxes / 648 yen, Extra large 3 pieces / 648 yen, etc.
*The photo shows a 16-piece pack / 864 yen - Seller: Shinonome-do Co., Ltd.
- Official website: https://store.toundo.co.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ⑤: Menbei Spicy Flavor
When it comes to Fukuoka souvenirs, nothing beats Mentaiko! The spicy Mentaiko that you can easily enjoy at home is the "Spicy Mentaiko", made with a unique method by "Fukutaro", a long-established store of spicy Mentaiko.
The cracker with a large "め" (me) printed on it is a treat that you can enjoy a crispy texture and a crunchy texture by baking in cod roe. Among them, "Spicy" is an irresistible item for spicy lovers because it uses habanero for 40% of chili peppers. The more you chew, the more stimulating spiciness will chase you! They also offer various flavors such as plain, mayonnaise, and onion, so even if you don't like spicy food, be sure to check it out!
- Reference price: Plain (2 pieces x 8 bags) / 600 yen, Onion (2 pieces x 8 bags) / 600 yen, etc.
*The picture is 2 pieces x 16 bags / 1,200 yen - Seller: Yamaguchi Aburaya Fukutaro Co., Ltd.
- Official website: https://www.fukutaro.co.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ⑥: Hakata Yokaimo Tottoto.
'Josuian', a traditional Japanese confectionery shop in Hakata, boasts a history of over 400 years since its establishment. One of their popular products is 'Hakata Yokaimo Tottoto', packed with the deliciousness of sweet potatoes. The biggest feature is that they use sweet potatoes with high sugar content grown in Miyazaki, and add mascarpone cheese from Kyushu as a secret ingredient. The fluffy texture and the paste made by adding egg yolks, butter, etc. to the baked sweet potato paste and kneading it well are supported by many sweet potato lovers.
By the way, the product name "Tottoto" means "to cherish something important" in Hakata dialect. In 2013, it won the highest award, the Honorary President's Award, at the National Confectionery Expo. The luxurious golden package is also perfect for gifts!
- Reference price: 12 pieces / 1,245 yen, 18 pieces / 1,850 yen, etc.
*The photo shows 6 pieces / 650 yen - Seller: Josuian Co., Ltd.
- Official website: https://corp.josuian.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ⑦: Nanban Ourai Raspberry
The baked sweet, 'Nanban Ourai', which wraps fruit and milk jam in a 100% almond flour dough and homemade pie using fermented butter, is popular. Among them, we have selected the 'Nanban Ourai Raspberry'.
The fragrant pie crust and the acidity of the raspberry jam added as a flavor accent blend beautifully, and after the crispy texture, a sweet and sour taste spreads throughout your mouth.
The design was inspired by the shape of the trade ships (Nanban ships) that connected Kyushu and Nagasaki with foreign countries by sea during the Edo period. As the dough tends to crumble, it is recommended to prepare a plate or tissue. In addition, there are many other flavors using seasonal ingredients from the Kyushu region, such as "Itoshima Milk", "Kumamoto Prefecture Gold Sweet", and limited seasonal flavors.
- Reference price: 4 pieces / 670 yen, 8 pieces / 1,360 yen, etc.
*The photo shows 6 pieces / 1,030 yen - Seller: Sakaeya Co., Ltd.
- Official website: http://sakaeya.co.jp/
Souvenirs you can buy at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport ⑧: Tsukushi Mochi
The 'Tsukushi Mochi', a traditional Japanese sweet, is made by refining mochi rice from the Tsukushi Plain in Kyushu with natural underground water and dusting it with kinako made from rare domestic soybeans. It has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 'Monde Selection Highest Gold Award' and the '24th National Confectionery Expo Highest Award, Honorary President's Award'.
The mochi is chewy and satisfying, with plenty of kinako! Each one is wrapped in a furoshiki cloth and comes with a dessert skewer, so you can drizzle the included black syrup to taste. The sweet and gooey black syrup is also delicious! It's also fun to savor it while contemplating the waka poems written in the "Manyoshu", Japan's oldest anthology of poems, which are written on the package and wrapping paper.
- Reference price: 9 pieces / 1,701 yen, 12 pieces / 2,268 yen, etc.
*The photo shows 6 pieces / 1,134 yen - Seller: Josuian Co., Ltd.
- Official website: https://corp.josuian.jp/
Be sure to make Fukuoka's classic souvenirs a part of your Kyushu travel memories!
With such a variety of Fukuoka souvenirs, it's hard to decide which one to choose. When you're unsure about what souvenir to pick, it's recommended to go for the long-time favorites. Use the products introduced in this article as a reference, and find something that would be appreciated by the recipient, considering their age and gender.
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