Overview
The Hakata River (Hakata-gawa) is a short river about 1,250 meters long flowing through Hakata-ku in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It branches off from the Naka River near Canal City Hakata, threads quietly through the streets of Hakata, and rejoins the Naka River at Susaki Bridge just before Susaki Park. At the branching point an inflatable rubber dam normally holds back inflow from the Naka River, letting water through when the volume rises. Close to Nakasu and the Kawabata shopping arcade, it is a river woven into the cityscape where you can enjoy a riverside mood while strolling through Hakata.
Highlights
- ●The unusual form of a distributary about 1,250 meters long that leaves and returns to the Naka River
- ●Flood-control works such as the inflatable rubber dam that adjusts water volume at the branching point
- ●The Kawabata merchant-town culture living along the banks and the Kawabata Zenzai plaza
- ●A city-center river scene surrounded by Canal City Hakata, Nakasu, and the Kawabata arcade
History
The Hakata River has the unusual origin of splitting from the Naka River and then returning to it, and its course has been closely tied to the making of the town of Hakata. Lively activity has long lived along its banks, and as symbolized by the Kawabata Zenzai plaza, the merchant-town culture and customs of the Kawabata district are still handed down today. The history of flood-control works such as dams and gates tells of a Hakata life that developed alongside its waters.
Access
The Hakata River flows through the central district of Hakata-ku in Fukuoka City, near latitude 33.59 and longitude 130.40. It is within walking distance of Nakasu-Kawabata and Gion subway stations, and can be visited easily together with Canal City Hakata, the Kawabata arcade, and the Nakasu area. As riverside access and the operating status of nearby facilities may change, please confirm details with each facility's official information.
Best season
It can be enjoyed on a stroll through all four seasons, but during Hakata's festivals and events the riverside atmosphere grows especially lively. It shows different faces by the hour: pair a daytime visit with a walk through the Kawabata arcade, and at dusk enjoy the city lights reflected on the water. As summer is humid, remember to stay hydrated.
Map
33.5964, 130.4014 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Begin walking along the river near the branching point close to Canal City Hakata
- 2Observe the flood-control mechanisms such as the inflatable dam and gate that control water volume
- 3Stop by the Kawabata arcade and Kawabata Zenzai plaza to savor Hakata's old-town atmosphere
- 4Head down to the confluence at Susaki Bridge to see the flow merge back into the Naka River
Did you know?
💡 The charm of the Hakata River lies in being a distributary that splits from the main Naka River and then rejoins it, with the inflatable rubber dam at the branching point acting as a movable device that usually holds back inflow and lets water through when levels rise. The Kawabata Zenzai plaza along the river is cherished as a name that still conveys Hakata's sweets culture today.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!