Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street

The Nakasu-Kawabata area is an essential part of a Fukuoka visit for me.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 2

With Kushida Shrine, a guardian of Hakata’s traditions, the popular Canal City Hakata shopping complex, and old-fashioned shops, it is a pleasant place for a walk.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 3

One highlight is Kawabata Shopping Arcade, described in the source as Hakata’s oldest shopping street.

About 130 shops lined its roughly 400-meter covered arcade.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 4

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 5

There were Hakata doll and souvenir shops, stores with Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival goods, restaurants serving fish from the Genkai Sea, and popular ramen shops—a familiar Hakata sightseeing route.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 6

Among them was Kawabata Zenzai, famous for a local Hakata sweet.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 7

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 8

As you might expect in vending-machine-loving Japan, you bought a meal ticket.

The machine accepted cash only on our visit.

A zenzai set cost JPY 500 at the time.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 9

Pickled daikon was lined up neatly on the counter, ready for customers.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 10

A spring-water feature caught my attention.

It had a ladle like those at Japanese shrines. When I asked whether it was for washing hands or drinking, I was told it was simply decorative.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 11

A yamakasa float from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival stood in the middle of the shop.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 12

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 13

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 14

The source describes the festival as Hakata’s foremost festival, held over 15 days beginning July 1 each year.

During the July 12 practice and the early-morning July 15 race, participants run about 1.5 km with the floats—an impressive sight.

The display here was 80% of full size, but otherwise the same shape as the real float.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 15

While we looked around, the zenzai arrived, piping hot.

It was Japanese sweet red-bean soup with a piece of grilled rice cake.

The rice cake in particular was extremely hot, so care was needed.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 16

Everyone was busy taking photographs.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 17

The red-bean soup alone was surprisingly sweet; eating it with the rice cake helped balance it.

Even then, an occasional bite of pickled daikon was just right for refreshing the palate.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 18

The seats furthest inside had an excellent view over the river in Nakasu.

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 19

Kawabata Zenzai Square: A Sweet Stop in Fukuoka’s Covered Shopping Street — original photograph 20

Kawabata Zenzai was a convenient stop while walking around Nakasu-Kawabata.

It was a chance to try a traditional Japanese dessert with a different flavor from the red-bean porridge I knew in Korea.

Kawabata Zenzai Square
Address: 10-256 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka
Phone: 092-281-6223