This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
The 11th Kawabata Night Festival comes to Kawabata Shopping Arcade in Hakata on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Flea-market stalls, food and performances will spread along the roughly 400-metre covered shopping street, with fairy-tale-themed activities also planned.
Two start times to remember
Market: from 10:00
Night festival: 15:00–19:00
The full event listing is 10:00–19:00, including the market. For the afternoon festival programme, plan around the 15:00 start.
Shopping, food and three performance stages
The venue covers both Kamikawabata and Kawabata Chuo shopping arcades. It is easy to combine the festival with the arcade’s regular shops, which range from long-established businesses to newer stores.
Tables along the arcade will be used for flea-market stalls and eating areas. Music and dance are planned on three stages: the main stage in front of Kumamoto Bank and two smaller stages. Activities involving a walk around the arcade are also planned. Detailed fairy-tale activities may be announced closer to the day; check the latest programme before going.
Festival information
You can browse the market before the afternoon festival begins, or arrive later for the stage programme.
| Date | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Market from 10:00 Night festival 15:00–19:00 Overall event listing: 10:00–19:00 |
| Venue | Kawabata Shopping Arcade (川端通商店街), including Kamikawabata and Kawabata Chuo arcades, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka |
| Theme | Fairy tales |
| Stages | One main stage in front of Kumamoto Bank and two smaller stages |
| Organisers | Kamikawabata and Kawabata Chuo shopping street promotion associations |
| Enquiries | +81-92-281-6223 |
Getting to the arcade and exploring Hakata
The northern entrance is immediately outside Exit 5 of Nakasu-Kawabata Subway Station (中洲川端駅). The arcade runs towards Canal City Hakata, with Hakata Riverain at the northern end. Kushida-jinja-mae Station (櫛田神社前駅) is another option for the Canal City side.
Kushida Shrine and Nakasu are nearby, making the event a useful stop on a walk around Hakata. As the festival takes place along a shopping arcade, public transport is a convenient way to arrive.
For another autumn outing in the area, see our Hakata Toumyou Watching guide for venues, access and walking tips. It is a separate event, not part of Kawabata Night Festival.
If you want to sell at the flea market
The advertised application deadline was September 25, 2026. If you are interested in running a stall, contact the organisers to ask whether any additional applications are being accepted.
