Owais Crawford
Fukuoka Airport is the largest international airport in Kyushu, Japan. It is conveniently located just a 6-minute subway ride from Hakata Station, which is Fukuoka's central station. The airport offers a range of services and facilities, including shops and restaurants. In this paragraph, we will explore the shopping options available at Fukuoka Airport, including the best souvenirs to buy before departing or arriving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Fukuoka, Japan |
| Transport | 6-minute subway ride to Hakata, Fukuoka's central station |
| Terminals | Domestic and International |
| Shopping | Duty-free shops, SORAE souvenir shop, Itoen (for Japanese tea and tea-related souvenirs), Matsumoto Kiyoshi (duty-free), Ito King (strawberry sweets), Minamikaze Nokasha (coloured potato sweets), L’ UNIQUE Hiyoko & Frau Atsuko Kayashina (sponge cakes) |
| Observation | Observation deck on the fourth floor of the Domestic Terminal |
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What You'll Learn
Local specialities like Hakata Torimon and mentaiko roe
Fukuoka Airport's souvenir shop, SORAE, is the perfect place to buy local specialties like Hakata Torimon and mentaiko roe. Hakata, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, is known for its culinary delights, and Meigetsudo's "Hakata Torimon" is one of its most famous treats. This delightful manju, or steamed bun, was created by Meigetsudo, a company with roots dating back to 1929. The idea behind Hakata Torimon was to create a unique Japanese sweet, and its taste quickly gained fame, even outside Japan's borders. It has now won the prestigious Monde Selection Gold Award for 20 consecutive years.
Mentaiko roe, also known as tarako, is another famous delicacy from Fukuoka. It is made from pollock roe, specifically the roe of Alaska pollock, which is a species of cod. Mentaiko is the Japanese version of the Korean dish myeongnan-jeot, which was adapted to suit Japanese tastes by Toshio Kawahara after World War II. Mentaiko is salted and marinated in powdered chiles and spices, giving it a rich umami flavor. It is commonly used in Japanese cuisine, but it has also found its way into Korean, Russian, and even some French dishes. Mentaiko can be eaten raw or cooked and is a versatile ingredient used in dishes like sushi, pasta, and steamed egg.
Both Hakata Torimon and mentaiko roe are must-have souvenirs from Fukuoka, and they can be found at the airport's souvenir shop, making it convenient for travellers to purchase these local specialties before departing.
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Japanese tea and tea-related souvenirs
If you're looking for Japanese tea and tea-related souvenirs at Fukuoka Airport, head to the duty-free area, which is divided into two sections: the Central Duty-Free Shop and the North Duty-Free Shop. The Central Duty-Free Shop offers luxury items, jewellery, watches, designer brands, tobacco, and alcohol. Meanwhile, the North Duty-Free Shop features food, groceries, and cosmetics.
Itoen, located in the duty-free area, offers a wide variety of Japanese teas and tea-related souvenirs. Their bottled green tea is well-known, and you can find various tea-related items to satisfy your love for Japanese tea culture.
For a unique tea-related souvenir, consider purchasing some Nanoka, a fine Japanese pastry sold by Hakata's high-quality Japanese confectionery store, Haneya. The dough is made with gently whipped eggs and agar, resulting in a crunchy exterior and soft interior. The subtle sweetness and aroma of orange from the candied orange rind make for an elegant and refined taste experience.
In addition to tea, Fukuoka Airport offers a variety of local snacks and delicacies that pair well with tea. Mentaiko, seasoned cod roe, is a popular local specialty and can be found in various snacks, such as Menbei, a crunchy rice cracker with a delicious combination of mentaiko and seafood. You can also find mentaiko-flavoured versions of popular snacks like Jagariko, Pretz, and Kaki no Tane (spicy rice crackers). These snacks are exclusive to the Kyushu region and can be purchased at airport souvenir shops.
Lastly, don't forget to visit the airport souvenir shop, SORAE, located in the Domestic Terminal. Here, you can find famous items such as Hakata Torimon, a richly flavoured Western-style snack, and other tea-related souvenirs from Fukuoka and other regions of Japan.
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Duty-free shopping
Fukuoka Airport offers a seamless duty-free shopping experience. The airport's duty-free shops are located after the security area in the International Terminal. Notably, the renowned store Matsumoto Kiyoshi provides duty-free shopping, potentially offering cheaper prices than other duty-free shops in the restricted area with the use of discount coupons. Renovation works at the airport, completed in 2020, included an expansion of the international flight duty-free shop area, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
For travellers seeking unique Fukuoka souvenirs, the airport's duty-free shops offer a range of options. One notable item is the "Hakata Torimon", a sweet and creamy mochi-like manju filled with white bean paste. This delicacy has won the prestigious Mondo Selection Gold Award consecutively for 19 years, making it a must-try for visitors. "Hakata Amabi", a strawberry version of warabimochi crafted by the renowned Fukuoka brand Ito King, is another speciality. Available from May to November, this treat combines the sweetness of Fukuoka's famous "Amaou" strawberries with the delicate texture of mochi.
For those with a sweet tooth, Fukuoka Airport's duty-free shops also feature unique confectioneries. The "Hakata Baum Stick" is a crunchy, stick-type baked good similar to the German Baumkuchen cake. Offered in various flavours, including the classic plain, "Amaou" strawberry, and the savoury "Mentaiko", these sticks are perfect for those seeking a mix of traditional and innovative flavours. Additionally, the "L'UNIQUE Hiyoko & Frau Atsuko Kayashina" store, which opened in 2019, offers a century-old Japanese treat: the "Matoi Hiyoko". This adorable baby chick-shaped sponge cake is coated in delicious bitter chocolate, making it a cute and tasty souvenir.
Fukuoka Airport's duty-free shops also cater to travellers seeking more conventional souvenirs. The airport souvenir shop, SORAE, offers a range of famous items, including "Hakata no Onna" and "Mentaiko roe", alongside souvenirs from other regions of Japan and Kyushu. For tea enthusiasts, the well-known brand Itoen offers a diverse selection of Japanese teas and tea-related souvenirs, perfect for those who want to savour the taste of Japan even after returning home.
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Fukuoka's famous strawberry, Amaou
Fukuoka, Japan, is famous for its delicious strawberries, particularly the Hakata Amaou variety, also known as the "King of Strawberry". This special type of strawberry was developed by farmers in the Fukuoka Prefecture in 2002 and is grown exclusively in the region. Amaou strawberries are cultivated in greenhouses, with the plants spaced widely apart and the leaves propped up with bamboo sticks to maximise their exposure to sunlight. Bees are used to cross-polinate the strawberries, which results in large, juicy fruit with a vibrant red colour and a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
The Fukuoka Prefecture is home to over 20 farms where visitors can pick their own Amaou strawberries during the season, which typically runs from November to mid-March, or even as late as early May. One notable farm is the Hirokawa Fruit Village, which is managed by a pear farmer with a 60-year legacy. Here, visitors can enjoy picking strawberries from a range of five varieties, including Amaou, and purchase local produce such as vegetables, fruits, eggs, and handmade side dishes.
Another popular destination for strawberry picking is the Uruu Farm, which boasts 50 greenhouses dedicated solely to growing Amaou strawberries. Visitors can indulge in fresh strawberry treats at the on-site cafe, including strawberry daifuku and rich cheesecake made with over 20% Amaou strawberries. The farm also offers packaged strawberries for those who want to take some home.
For those unable to visit during the strawberry season, there are other options to enjoy Fukuoka's famous Amaou strawberries all year round. The airport souvenir shop, SORAE, located in the Domestic Terminal, offers a range of famous Fukuoka items, including mentaiko roe and Hakata no Onna. While it is unclear whether they sell Amaou strawberries specifically, it is worth a visit for those looking to do some last-minute shopping before departing Fukuoka.
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Local food like pork intestine hot pot and tonkotsu ramen
Local delicacies like pork intestine hot pot and tonkotsu ramen are must-try dishes when visiting Fukuoka. If you're looking to sample these dishes at Fukuoka Airport, you're in luck! The Domestic Terminal offers a wide variety of Fukuoka's culinary delights.
Pork intestine hot pot, also known as "motsunabe", is a signature dish of Fukuoka. It's a type of Japanese hot pot made with beef or pork offal, typically cooked in a shallow pot on your table. The innards, such as beef or pork intestine and tripe, are simmered in a soup base seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and chilli pepper. Additional ingredients like cabbage, garlic chives, and champon noodles are added to complete the dish. If you're looking for a similar alternative, "mizutaki" is another hot pot dish made with chicken instead of offal.
Tonkotsu ramen, on the other hand, is another famous dish originating from Fukuoka. The broth is the star of this ramen, made by simmering pork bones for an extended period, sometimes up to 20 hours, to achieve its signature thick, creamy, and white consistency. The noodles are typically thin and can be cooked to your preferred level of firmness. Common toppings include chashu pork (sliced pork belly), green onion, wood ear mushroom, and a marinated soft-boiled egg.
Fukuoka Airport's Domestic Terminal offers a range of dining options where you can savour these local specialties. While specific restaurant names within the airport are not available, you can explore the various restaurants and cafes serving Fukuoka's famous dishes. Additionally, if you're looking to bring some local flavours home, you may be able to find instant ramen kits or similar products at airport shops.
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Frequently asked questions
Fukuoka Airport's souvenir shop, SORAE, sells famous food items such as Hakata Torimon, mentaiko roe, and Hakata no Onna. You can also find sweets made from Fukuoka's famous Amaou strawberries, including the Hakata Baum Stick, a crunchy version of the Baumkuchen cake.
Fukuoka Airport has a variety of non-food items available for purchase, including Japanese teas and tea-related souvenirs from Itoen.
Yes, there are duty-free shops at Fukuoka Airport. You can also make use of the airport's user-friendly internet reservation service to reserve duty-free items for pickup at the Duty-Free counters.
