16 souvenirs you can only buy in Fukuoka! A selection of special items available around Hakata Station

*Prices include tax.

Hakata's specialty "Menbei" upgraded to premium

This special item, an upgraded version of the Hakata specialty "Menbei," is only available at Hakata Hankyu. It is a higher-grade version of the regular Menbei, with the umami of seafood and a secret ingredient added.

The cheese flavor, made with raw milk from Hokkaido, fills your mouth with the aroma of cheese, and pairs perfectly with the spicy flavor of the rice crackers. In addition to cheese, there are other flavors such as tomato basil, sea urchin, and shrimp, which are perfect not only as snacks, but also as accompaniments to alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.

The white box packaging also gives it a special feel, and it's sure to be a welcome souvenir from Fukuoka.

Available at Hakata Hankyu

A new crunchy texture that's addictive! Italian sweets from Fukuoka

Sfogliatella means "multiple pleats" in Italian. It is a traditional Neapolitan pastry, with cream inside a shell-like dough. The moment you bite into it, you hear a crunching sound, and it has a new texture that is different from breads such as croissants.

The most popular flavor is "Pistachio." Made with Italian pistachio paste and cream cheese, it has a mellow flavor that goes well with coffee or tea.

It's a hard-to-find sweet that takes more than a year to get online, but you can buy it at the Ming Hakata store inside Hakata Station. If you're in Hakata Station, be sure to check it out.

Available for purchase at Ming Hakata on the 1st floor of Hakata Station

A harmony of fragrant nuts and butter. A limited number of butter sandwiches are sold every day.

"I'm LILY" is a butter confectionery specialty store from Fukuoka that has a wide variety of baked goods such as cookies and financiers. The hazelnut and almond butter sandwich is one of the most recommended. The crispy sable is sandwiched with butter cream made with fragrant hazelnuts and almonds. It has a faint aroma of Armagnac brandy and a refined taste that is not too sweet.

The butter sandwiches are sold in limited quantities every day from 8:30, 15:00, and 17:00. They are not available online, so they are a souvenir that can only be purchased in Fukuoka.

Available at JR Hakata City

Once you try it, you'll never forget it. A finely textured, moist chiffon cake

"Chiffon Cake Marie" was born from the owner Yoshiyama Marie's desire to create something that is healthy and safe to eat, and uses ingredients that are safe to eat, mainly organic ingredients from Fukuoka. All ingredients are listed on the label, making it a great gift for people with small children.

Based on a fluffy dough that melts in your mouth, they offer 8 types of standard chiffon cakes such as plain, Hakata Amaou, and Yame Matcha, as well as seasonal chiffon cakes. The moist, melting texture of the chiffon cakes will make for a blissful snack time.

Chiffon Cake Marie Available at Takamiya Main Store, Tenjin Store, and Hakata Store

Crispy and delicious. A long-selling product with the rich aroma of cultured butter.

Ginno Spoon opened as a patisserie in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1977, a time when the word "sweets" was not yet used as it is today. Since then, it has been loved by locals as one of Fukuoka's leading confectionery stores. The reason for this is that it recreates the delicious flavors unique to Kyushu. The flour, eggs, and milk which are essential for making sweets are all produced in Kyushu, and the store is known for its honest sweets that do not rely on colorings or flavorings.

Among the wide range of products from fresh sweets to baked goods, "Sacristan" is the most popular gift. When you open the bag, the rich aroma of cultured butter wafts from the dough, and the crispy texture of the pie crust is accented by the fragrant walnuts. Since it is individually wrapped, it is also a great gift to take to the workplace.

Available at Ginno Spoon Kurume Main Branch, Hakata Branch, and City Plaza

Sandwiched with Yame matcha homemade bean paste. A casual way to enjoy bean paste with a Tai Monaka.

"TAI TO AN" is made by a long-established confectionery store founded in 1924. The "Tai Monaka" is a cute round shape decorated with a sea bream shape, and uses Yame matcha, a type of green tea that is unique to Fukuoka, as the filling. It is not only popular with Japanese sweets lovers, but with the bite-sized individual packaging, anyone can easily enjoy Japanese sweets.

The crispy wafer is filled with a generous amount of fragrant homemade matcha paste made of Yame matcha. One bite and your heart will be pounding by the rich aroma of Yame tea and its refined sweetness. If you're looking for a casual Japanese sweet souvenir, this is the place to go.

Sweets: TAI TO AN available at Lalaport Fukuoka and Ming store

Limited edition sake with a catchy label from a long-established sake brewery

Yamanokotobuki Sake Brewery offers a lineup of sake with catchy labels that you'll want to hand to someone. Contrary to its modern appearance, the brewery has been operating in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture since 1818 and is a skilled brewery.

"Yamano Kotobuki Mansaku Junmai Sake" is packed with solid techniques that have been cultivated throughout history, with a refreshing design. It has a light taste that is easy to drink. The crisp acidity that is unique to junmai sake makes it delicious and you will never tire of drinking it. "Yamano Kotobuki Mansaku Junmai Sake" is only sold at authorized dealers in Fukuoka Prefecture, so it is sure to make a precious gift that can only be found here and will be appreciated by those who love alcohol.

Available at authorized dealers in Fukuoka Prefecture

The Hakata dialect has a cute feel to it. A soft and fluffy sweet treat.

Josuian is a long-established Japanese confectionery manufacturer in Fukuoka, famous for its "Tsukushi Mochi." Based on the concept of "delicious, healthy sweets," they use carefully selected seasonal ingredients and are particular about their manufacturing methods to create long-loved Japanese sweets.

Among them, the most popular product is "Hakata YokaiMo Tottoto," which has a cute Hakata dialect sound. "Tottoto" means "to take good care of something precious." It has two elegant flavors: a rich potato paste made from Kyushu-grown sweet potatoes and diced "Beni Haruka" sweet potatoes sprinkled inside. The soft and fluffy texture is also appealing, just like the sweet potato itself. It is a small snack that fits in the palm of your hand, and there is a wide lineup from one piece to 20 pieces, so you can choose the perfect size depending on who you are giving it to.

Available at Joshuian Hakata Station Main Branch, 21 other directly managed stores, Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Station, etc.

A light-textured roll cookie loved by people of all ages

Founded in 1630, Chidoriya is a long-established manufacturer in Fukuoka that began manufacturing and selling Chidori Manju, Maru-Boro, and castella. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022, Tirolian is Chidoriya's signature product, a light and crispy roll cookie filled with smooth cream. In addition to vanilla, you can enjoy four different flavors: strawberry, coffee, and chocolate.

The simple, comforting, and gentle flavor of this sweet with a long history will be enjoyed by people of all ages. It has a shelf life of 180 days from the date of manufacture, making it the perfect souvenir.

Available at Chidoriya Main Store, Tirolian Shop Airport Store, etc.

The cute round egg shape is great!

Hiyoko Honpo Yoshinodo is famous for its chick-shaped buns that are so cute you'll almost feel bad eating them. But did you know that they also have limited edition products that are only sold at JR Hakata Station and Kokura Station?

"Hakata Amaou Hiyoko's Egg" is a limited edition product created as a collaboration between Hiyoko and JR Service Net Fukuoka. Rich, sweet and sour Amaou jam is gently wrapped in moist galette dough and finished with a coating of Amaou fondant. It is truly a luxurious sweet that is "all about Amaou". With its cute, round egg shape, it is sure to be a treat to look at.

Available at JR Hakata Station and Kokura Station

A new and exciting collaboration between a long-established mentaiko shop and a famous chocolate store!

Founded in Hakata over half a century ago and the birthplace of chocolate in Hakata, Chocolate Shop is a long-established Western confectionery store that is highly regarded not only in Japan but also overseas.

Mentai Roche is a collaboration between the Chocolate Shop and Fukuya, a long-established mentaiko shop that represents Hakata. It is a crunchy flake snack coated with carefully selected white chocolate and mentaiko powder. The mellow sweetness of the chocolate is followed by the spicy mentaiko, creating a new taste sensation.

Available at the Chocolate Shop main store, the Ishidatami store in Hakata, and the Fukuoka Airport store

Enjoy the moment you break it open. A cool Japanese sweet perfect for hot days.

Ouma, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is famous as a "hometown of natural water" which is made of the rain falls on the bamboo forest runs down the roots and slowly seeps into the red soil, containing a wealth of natural minerals. "Mizutama Purun" is made using this Ouma natural water lavishly. As the name suggests, it is a transparent sweet that is spherical like a drop of water.

The strange texture, different from jelly or warabimochi, and the fun of popping the water balloon will surely bring a smile to the face of anyone who receives it. It can be carried at room temperature, but we recommend chilling it thoroughly before eating. Pour fragrant soybean flour and rich brown sugar syrup over it to create a cool Japanese dessert that is perfect for a hot day.

Available at The Hakata Canal City store, Kokura Castle Shiro Terrace, Kokura Meihingura (Kokura Station), etc.

Very popular with the locals, chewy castella made by a skilled craftsman

Founded in 1937, Togetsu is a long-established Japanese confectionery store in Fukuoka city Ropponmatsu. Inside the store, lined with beautiful Japanese confectionery and dumplings wholeheartedly made by skilled craftsmen, the most eye-catching sweet in a yellow package is the Hakata Castella.

When you hear castella, you may think of a Nagasaki specialty, but this castella is characterized by its completely different shape and texture, resembling a bun. When you bite into it, it has a strange texture that is fluffy yet chewy! The gentle sweetness and simple flavor fills your mouth. Its simple flavor never gets old, and it goes well with drinks such as coffee, tea, and milk, making it a soothing snack.

Available for purchase at Japanese sweets shop Toduki

Enjoy the taste of the popular restaurants at home! Fukuoka's beloved secret sauce

When it comes to restaurants in Fukuoka where you can enjoy fresh seafood, Aji no Masafuku is the place to go. It is a famous restaurant that always has a constant line of people waiting to get in, offering the well-known Hakata delicacies such as sashimi, simmered fish, and grilled fish.

"Sauce Nippon" was born from customer feedback that said they wanted to enjoy the taste of Masafuku at home. This sauce is used in Masafuku's popular menu item "Nasu Miso," deep-fried eggplant coated in sauce. With a slightly salty-sweet flavor that is impossible to replicate at home, this product allows you to recreate the "professional taste" of any genre of food, whether Japanese, Western, or Chinese.

If you stir fry vegetables and meat and finish by mixing them with "Sauce Nippon", you will have a delicious side dish that goes well with rice! It can also be used in stews, dressings, and many other ways, making it a great ally when you want one more dish at home. It is available in two sizes: a small 180ml bottle and a medium 500ml bottle.

Available for purchase at Aji no Masafuku

A rice seasoning with grilled flying fish stock that allows you to enjoy the full flavor of mentaiko.

The Kubara Honke Group started out as a soy sauce brewery in 1893 and currently operates a wide range of brands rooted in Japanese food culture, including Kayanoya, Shobouan, and Kubara. They offer a wide range of high-quality foods and seasonings that are designed to be easy to use at home.

Among them, the recommended product that can only be purchased in Fukuoka at a physical store is Shobouan's "Mentaiko Gohan (Hakata limited)". Just mix it with white rice and you'll have delicious mentaiko rice in no time. It's a masterpiece that lets you enjoy the deliciousness of mentaiko to the fullest. What really brings out the flavor is the grilled flying fish broth. Mentaiko Gohan has a mild spiciness and an elegant aftertaste, so it will be enjoyed not only by mentaiko fans, but by everyone from children to the elderly.

Available at Kubara Honke Main Store, Kubara Honke LaLaport Fukuoka Store, Fukuoka Tenjin Iwataya Store, Hakata Station Deitos Store, Kokura Izutsuya Store, and Kubara Honke Fukuoka Airport Store

Dorayaki made with plenty of Amaou strawberries, a Fukuoka specialty

Itoking, which processes and sells Amaou strawberries, a specialty of Fukuoka, wanted to create a dorayaki that was more delicious than one that just contained whole strawberries, and so they created Hakata Amaou Doraking Ace. The smooth mousse made with Amaou strawberries is filled with small pieces of fruit and wrapped in a chewy pastry. They are particular about the ingredients, using a special fresh cream made from a blend of three types of fresh cream to bring out the best flavor of the Amaou strawberries.

In addition to the "Hakata Amaou Doraking Ace" introduced in this article, Itoking also sells "Doraking Nama," a dorayaki filled with Amaou strawberries, which is only available during the Amaou strawberry harvest season (late November to late May). Be sure to enjoy this seasonal delicacy that can only be enjoyed at that time.

Available at Itoking Main Store, Hakata Station Ming Store, Hakata Hankyu Store, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Store, Fukuoka Airport Store, etc.

Fukuoka's food culture is attracting attention not only in Japan but also around the world. There is a huge variety of souvenirs, so it can be hard to decide which one to choose. In such cases, why not select something that is only available in Fukuoka? It will surely be a memorable Fukuoka souvenir for the recipient.

Originally posted: June 5, 2023
*Some content was updated on March 17, 2025.

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