Neighbourhood in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka
Nakasu
中洲
An island between two rivers in central Fukuoka, known for riverside yatai food stalls and nightlife, with old Hakata's shrines and temples just east.
- places to see
- 8
- walk past the highlights
- 1.8 km
- Fukuoka
- Hakata Ward, Fukuoka
Photo: Nesnad (opens in a new tab), CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Nakasu is an island between the Naka and Hakata rivers, created in 1600 to link Fukuoka and Hakata with bridges. It is the biggest nightlife district in western Japan, and that includes many adult venues. Most visitors come for the yatai food stalls that line the Naka River in the evening, with neon reflected in the water.
Cross east to old Hakata: the Kawabata arcade leads to Kushida Shrine, Canal City is next door, and Tocho-ji and Joten-ji are a ten-minute walk. Nakasu-Kawabata Station on the Kuko subway line is right here. More of the ward is in our Hakata guide.
Don't miss in Nakasu
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Kushida Shrine
櫛田神社Hakata's guardian shrine and home of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. A towering decorated float is on show most of the year.
Photo: Pontafon (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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2. Kawabata Shopping Arcade
川端通商店街Old covered shopping arcade running north from Canal City to Kushida Shrine.
Photo: Sean Young (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)3. Canal City Hakata
キャナルシティ博多Shopping and entertainment complex built around an indoor canal, with fountain shows.
4. Tocho-ji Temple
東長寺Temple with a large seated wooden Buddha and a five-storey pagoda.
Photo: Pontafon (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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5. Joten-ji Temple
承天寺Quiet Zen temple with a raked gravel garden, linked by tradition to the arrival of udon and soba in Japan.
Photo: Pontafon (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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Walk Nakasu in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 1.8 km in all.
Stop 1
Kushida Shrine
Start here
Stop 2
Kawabata Shopping Arcade
4 min walk
Stop 3
Canal City Hakata
6 min walk
Stop 4
Tocho-ji Temple
10 min walk
Stop 5
Joten-ji Temple
5 min walk
More around Nakasu
Other places within walking distance. Each shows its Japanese name for maps and taxis.
Hakata Site
博多遺跡A historic site in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
ACROS Fukuoka
アクロス福岡Cultural centre beside Tenjin Central Park whose stepped south side is covered in trees, like a green hillside.
Suikyo Tenmangu
水鏡天満宮A Shinto shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Nakasu on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
Is Nakasu OK for families?
The riverside yatai and the shrines and arcades to the east are fine. The inner streets of the island are mainly bars and adult venues.
How far is Nakasu from Hakata Station?
Two stops on the Kuko subway line to Nakasu-Kawabata, or about 15 minutes on foot.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
