Hakata, Fukuoka - Definition and Overview

Hakata (博多区; -ku) is a ward in Fukuoka, Japan with a population of 176,585. It is best known as the location of Fukuoka's main train station, Hakata Station. Hakata also houses the Fukuoka prefecture offices, Fukuoka Airport, and the city's ferry terminal Hakata Harbor Hakata-kou 博多港.

Before 1889, Hakata was an independent town to the northeast of Fukuoka. Hakata, which was closer to the sea, housed the city's merchants, while Fukuoka housed the samurai. When the two cities merged, the samurai coerced the merchants into naming the combined city "Fukuoka."

Facilities

• facilities of travel
  • Hakata Station
  • Fukuoka Airport
  • Bayside place Hakata Futoh

• facilities of commerce
  • Canalcity Hakata (http://www.canalcity.co.jp/english/urban.html)
  • Hakata Reverain (http://www.riverain.co.jp/english.html)

• facilities of culture
  • Hakata no mori
  • Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka International Congress Center, Fukuoka Kokusai Center (http://www.marinemesse.or.jp/english/index.html)