The open-minded and unconventional character of the people of Hakata has been passed down along with many festivals and traditions, and “Hakata” has been loved as the hometown of the hearts of Fukuoka citizens. The tourist facility “Hakata Machiya” Furusato Kan introduces the life of Hakata in the good old days along with its history and culture. It consists of 3 buildings, “exhibition building”, “Machiya-muni” and “Souvenir shop”. You can see exhibits and also experience painting traditional crafts. Under the supervision of a craftsman, you can experience four different types of painting on a daily basis, including Hakata dolls, Hakata papier-mache, Hakata spinning tops, and Hakata magemono. First of all, you make a reservation for the experience, then you buy the materials for the painting experience at the souvenir shop, and then you experience the painting with the craftsman. Dry handicrafts can be taken home, so it is perfect for travel memories.
In the exhibition building which is centered on the exhibition, you can see mainly exhibits related to the history, culture and festivals of Hakata, and on the second floor you can see demonstrations of traditional Hakata crafts.
The Machiya building is a relocated and restored Machiya that was built in the middle of the Meiji period as a residence and weaving place of Hakata Orimoto, and is also a designated cultural property of Fukuoka City. You can also see a demonstration of Hakata-ori textile, and it is a precious opportunity to see the rhythmical and precise handweaving that is unique to craftsmen up close.
The souvenir shop sells traditional crafts of Hakata, famous confectionery of Hakata, Yamakasa goods and books, so it is recommended to choose souvenirs. If you are interested in the culture and history of Hakata, this is one of the facilities you should visit. “
