Canal City Hakata

Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) is a large shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka, Japan. Called the "city within the city," it hosts shops, cafes, restaurants, a theater, game center, cinemas, two hotels, and a canal, which runs through the complex.^[1]

Located adjacent to Fukuoka's entertainment district and between the commercial and retail core of the city, Canal City has become a tourist attraction and commercial success for Fukuoka. It is the largest private development in the history of Japan ($1.4 billion for 234,460 m² (2.5-million sq. ft.)). The complex is built with a distinctive fanciful style, with many curving sculptures and fountains and the city of Fukuoka hardly visible, to create an atmosphere like an oasis away from the rest of the town.^[2]

Canal City Hakata began construction on June 3, 1993, and opened for business on April 20, 1996.^[3] The complex was designed by The Jerde Partnership and operated by Fukuoka Jisho. With Canal City in business, areas around the complex began to see increased success as well. The nearby food markets, in decline and seeing little business, began to rebuild and rehire shops because of the foot traffic from the mall.^[4]

In 2001, the Megastore Building was renovated and renamed the South Building. In addition, the Ramen Stadium was opened, featuring a handful of Fukuoka's best ramen restaurants. In 2010, the Canal City Theater opened, followed by the East Building a year later. In 2016, Canal City Hakata celebrated its 20th anniversary with Japan's largest 3D projection mapping and the "Aqua Panorama" fountain. In 2017, the mall reached its peak of 17 million visitors, totaling over 300 million visitors.^[3]

In 2023, the East Building was permanently closed due to slow sales. Fukuoka Jisho planned to demolish it and replace it with a luxury condominium.^[5] However, as of 2024, the building remains standing due to rising demolition costs and labor shortages.^[6]

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  Swirl patterns dominate the design of Canal City
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  A narrow pool runs the length of Canal City
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  Canal City's pool and hedge balconies
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  Fountains synchronized with music "dance" every hour
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  Canal City from the outside
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  The former East Building

• Jerde-associated architectural projects in Japan:
• Namba Parks (Osaka)
• Riverwalk Kitakyushu
• Roppongi Hills (Tokyo)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canal City Hakata.

• Official website

33°35′28″N 130°24′38″E / 33.59111°N 130.41056°E / 33.59111; 130.41056