For those who have a hard time picking out souvenirs and gifts for loved ones back home, this guide is for you. The editorial team has compiled a list of the best things to pick up while you’re in Fukuoka, ranging from staple sweets to limited-edition souvenirs only found in the city. No more wondering what to buy at the last minute. We’ll make sure you head home with all the right goodies.
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▼Ever-popular Classic Gifts
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Hakata Torimon, Meigetsudo
The Hakata Torimon by Meigetsudo is likely the most popular souvenir sweet in Fukuoka. These steamed buns are filled with white bean paste that’s not too sweet, but still rich and satisfying while it melts in your mouth. The outside is cooked to golden brown perfection, and they’re delightfully bite-sized for an easy treat. Definitely try these yourself if you haven’t had them before.
[Shelf Life] 3 to 4 weeks
[Price] Pack of 5 for 560 yenHakata Torimon, Meigetsudo
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Tsukushi Mochi, Josuian
This sweet has been making waves in Fukuoka since 1977, and it’s an experience in and of itself. It’s made from mochi, kinako (roasted soybean flour), and kuromitsu (sugar syrup). They all come carefully packaged, and eating them correctly is the trick. First, you remove the toothpick, then unwrap the paper. Then, you remove the lid, spearing the first piece of mochi with the toothpick. Next, lightly tap the extra kinako off and enjoy straight. For the next piece, spear the mochi and eat it without removing the extra kinako. Finally, liberally pour the kuromitsu over the mochi for an extra-sweet ending.
[Shelf Life] ~15 days
[Price] Pack of 6 for 890 yenTsukushi Mochi, Josuian
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04
Menbei, Yamaguchi Aburaya Fukutaro
Menbei is the love child of Hakata’s famous mentaiko (spiced cod roe) and the senbei rice crackers. The mentaiko has a spicy kick, and there are several different flavors to choose from aside from the original, which is the best bet for starters. Try the mayonnaise flavor if you want to mix things up, as it pairs well with the mentaiko, and the green onion flavor is only available in Fukuoka. They all have great crispiness for a savory snack.
[Shelf Life] ~180 days
[Price] Pack of 16 for 1,000 yenMenbei, Yamaguchi Aburaya Fukutaro
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Nanban Orai Hakata Amaou, Sagaeya
This lesser-known sweet is comprised mainly of almonds, and it still has a surprisingly fluffy texture. The extra-thin salty layer balances the sweetness of the almond and egg cake. Be sure to grab the seasonal amaou strawberry flavor for a lovely taste of strawberry jam alongside the pink cake. There’s also the classic plain flavor and raspberry if they happen to be sold out of the amaou, though.
[Shelf Life] ~3 weeks
[Price] Pack of 6 for 1,030 yenNanban Orai Hakata
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06
Hakata Maron, Fukuoka Meika
These buttery financiers cakes have a brightly colored packaging sure to catch the eye. The marron glacé uses chestnuts from Kyushu, and it’s combined with bean paste and a good amount of butter for a rich flavoring. As soon as you open the package, you’re met by an aroma of chestnut, and that flavor comes through surprisingly well in the financier. They come individually packaged for easily passing out to friends and colleagues, and it’s immediately apparent they come from Hakata.
[Shelf Life] ~60 days
[Price] Pack of 8 for 605 yenHakata Maron, Fukuoka Meika
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▼Hakata, Fukuoka Limited-Edition Treats
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Press Butter Sand Amaou Strawberry
The Press Butter Sand (short for the sandwich) are decadent cakes filled with caramel and cream. Hakata has a limited-edition strawberry flavor that you don’t want to miss, the amaou. Inside the cakes are dollops of strawberry caramel and cream sure to impress even the most delicate of palates. The red packaging will also bring the souvenirs the attention they deserve, and they’re unique to Hakata.
[Shelf Life] ~10 days
[Price] Pack of 5 for 1,242 yenPress Butter Sand Amaou Strawberry
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Hiyoko Kazoku
These adorable chick-shaped sweets are a Hakata favorite, and they’re only available at Hakata Station. They’re not actually sold at the Hiyoko Honpo Yoshinodo, only at the Hakata Souvenir Shop (Meihingura). The “family” consists of a father, which is 3 times normal size, a mother, which is twice normal size, the brother, which is normal size, and the little sister, which is mini-sized. All except the brother are hand-made for your enjoyment.
[Shelf Life] ~10 days
[Price] Family for 994 yenHiyoko Kazoku
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10
Sugar Butter Sand Tree Yokozuna & Amaou Butter
The Sugar Butter Sand Tree sweets are made from a crispy biscuit sandwiching white chocolate. The Yokozuna uses 1.8 times as much white chocolate as the normal sweets, making it an especially decadent treat. It’s only available in the Hakata Hankyu department store, so be sure to pick one up if you’re doing some shopping. The chocolate lovers in your friend group will heartily thank you.
[Shelf Life] ~30 days
[Price] 10 for 1,080 yenSugar Butter Sand Tree Yokozuna
These strawberry treats use only amaou strawberries, and you can find them only in Hakata. They’re available at the Hakata Hankyu Sugar Butter Tree Shop, JR Hakata Station, and Fukuoka Airport, but nowhere else. They have the same sweet and crispy wafers on the outside, but inside is the pink strawberry chocolate filling that sets this sweet apart from its cohorts. They’re perfect for spring or summer, and you can be sure they’ll brighten up the receiver’s day.
[Shelf Life] ~30 days
[Price] 10 for 842 yenSugar Butter Sand Tree Amaou Butter
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▼Editorial Staff’s Top Picks
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Ichijiku Butter Sand Mukaka
This cookie sandwich uses Fukushima toyomitsuhime figs that are steeped in fragrant Minamidaitojima rum for a complex and delicate flavor. The figs are then mixed with rich buttercream to create the delectable filling for the bite-size cookies. A pro-tip is to pop them in the refrigerator to chill them first. They’ll make a refreshing sweet reminiscent of ice cream that’s perfect for the summer.
[Shelf Life] ~12 days
[Price] 3 for 648 yenIchijiku Butter Sand Mukaka
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Hakata Biscuits
Hakata Biscuits are inspired by Hakata ramen’s harder style of noodles. The texture is just the right amount of crunchiness, with the sweet fragrance of honey and butter in a thicker cookie. Retro packaging makes for a charming touch to distinguish it from the crowd, and the subtly sweet taste of butter and honey combined with the crispiness of the biscuits makes them hard to put down.
[Shelf Life] ~60 days
[Price] 5 for 648 yenHakata Biscuits
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14
Hakata Salt and Cheese Cake
These tiny cheesecakes are made using local ingredients. The eggs, wheat, salt, and cream cheese are all from Kyushu, and they combine for a cheesecake-like none other. The smooth cream cheese complements the melt-in-your-mouth salt to set your tastebuds alight. It’s all topped with crunchy crumbles for a cupcake-sized cheesecake anyone will love.
[Shelf Life] ~25 days
[Price] 6 for 750 yenHakata Salt and Cheese Cake
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Chasoro, Ryushodo
Yame matcha is cultivated using traditional methods, and it’s a tea of the highest quality. The Chasoro are green-tea flavored bean paste wrapped in soft mochi then dusted with gyokuro green tea and wasanbon sugar. If it sounds opulent, that’s because it is. These mochi sweets are the perfect gift for any tea lover and those who want a true taste of tradition. They’re also individually wrapped for easy sharing.
[Shelf Life] ~14 days
[Price] 9 for 1,500 yenChasoro, Ryushodo
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16
Amaou Carameliser Baum
A Baumkuchen is a German spit cake, and the Amaou Carameliser Baum incorporates the amaou strawberries into every layer of the circular sweet. One bite and you’ll be entranced by the flavorful strawberries paired with the sweet aroma of caramel. Its cute packaging makes it a perfect present for that special someone, and if you’re lucky they might just let you try a bit as well. Don’t count on it, though.
[Shelf Life] ~90 days
[Price] 6 for 972 yenAmaou Carameliser Baum
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Hakata Marukato
In the Hakata dialect, “marukato” means round, and the inspiration behind this treatment was to make people smile from ear to ear, forming connections with others. They come in chestnut and yame matcha flavors, but the most popular is the yame matcha. The slight bit of bitterness from the tea gives it a traditional appeal. In the center is matcha chocolate surrounded by a cake filled with adzuki red beans for an interesting texture. This is another one for tea lovers, and the packaging screams high class.
[Shelf Life] ~20 days
[Price] 10 for 2160 yenHakata Marukato
Clio Court Hakata Hotel
5-3 Hakataeki Chuo-gai, Hakata-Ku Fukuoka