Hakata Machiya Folk Museum

Three authentic Meiji and Taisho-era Hakata townhouses relocated and meticulously preserved to show how merchant life looked in old Hakata. The museum also houses the city's finest collection of Gion Yamakasa festival artifacts — the giant festival floats (kazariyama) that are displayed year-round.

Location

Why Visit

• 1

  The Gion Yamakasa float on display weighs over 1 ton and took 100 craftsmen weeks to build — it's replaced every year

• 2

  A craftsman demonstrates Hakata-ori weaving (the stiff silk used for obi) on traditional looms on weekday afternoons

• 3

  The second floor of the main machiya lets you sit on tatami and look out through sliding screens over the old district

Local Tips

A compact but beautifully presented museum of Hakata merchant culture inside a restored Meiji-era machiya townhouse. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival displays are the highlight — the towering floats and backstory are fascinating. Located steps from Kushida Shrine; combine both in under 2 hours.