- Today, Tatsu and I are exploring Fukuoka City's
oldest shopping arcade in Nakasu.
Hey guys, how's it going?
I'm Micaela.
- Tatsu.
- And today we're at the Kawabata Shopping Arcade in Nakasu.
Some of these stores have been around for like
billions of years.
- You're right.
- This is a fact.
- So today Tatsu and I are checking out
this new hostel hotel that opened up in Nakasu Kawabata
and on our way down to the hotel we're going to
check out a few places here in the Kawabata Shotengai
and show you what a traditional Japanese shopping arcade
looks like.
(sneezes)
(laughs)
The Kawabata Shopping Arcade has been running
since the mid 1950s and includes over 100
locally owned businesses crowded along the
400 meter long stretch of road.
You should wear one of those.
While the rest of Fukuoka City has been evolving
at a rapid rate,
the Kawabata Shopping Arcade holds on tight
to its traditional roots, and it's a fun place to visit
for a little taste of nostalgia.
If you do visit the arcade you must try the famous
Kawabata Zenzai.
Zenzai is my favorite Japanese snack.
It's a sweet bean soup with lightly roasted mochi cakes
inside it.
This shop is only open on weekends and public holidays
but if you can get a seat, you can get up close and personal
with the traditional Fukuoka Yamakasa statue.
(speaks Japanese)
One of the more recent attractions to come to the
shopping arcade is is Owl Family Hakata,
a unique cafe that allows you to learn about
and interact with different types of owls.
Hi.
The owls are rotated so they make sure that they get
plenty of rest and quiet time away from people
and they take turns being out in the open
so it's not like the owls are out all day all the time.
Different owls are taken out during different time slots.
And these are the ones that are in total rest mode.
They're chillin'.
One thing you should know is that Nakasu is known
for its restaurants.
You can find lots of hidden gems in the Nakasu area.
- Yeah get it.
Plan to come here a little bit hungry,
and if you find a restaurant that interests you,
just walk right in.
Here's my seafood bowl.
This has fresh fish with some shrimp
and some ikura on the side.
I love how colorful it is.
Beautiful presentation.
To eat it we pour this sesame sauce over the fish.
(speaks Japanese)
So big.
This is an anago tempura rice bowl.
But it's served on a plate, so it's a rice plate.
Looks good.
Finally it's time to check in to And Hostel.
This hostel is part accommodation, part tourist attraction.
It is Japan's first smart hostel.
You can control all the settings in your room
from an app on a smart phone provided to you at check-in.
With just one smart phone application,
you're able to remotely lock and unlock your door,
adjust the temperature of the air conditioner in the room.
So you can turn it off and on.
Turn the TV off and on and even control the volume.
(man yelling in foreign language)
(laughs)
Okay.
So because it's a dormitory, even though these rooms
are super big and nice, there's no bathroom,
so the bathrooms are shared.
Here's the bathroom hall.
And there are shower rooms, separate shower rooms.
And here in the hallway they have water,
cups, tea, coffee, hot water and a little fridge
where you can store your food.
A microwave.
Some plates, knives, forks.
Pretty much anything you need to be comfortable
during your stay.
My favorite feature on the app by far
was being able to change the colors
of the light bulbs in the room.
It's perfect for setting the mood.
(laughs)
You okay?
If you're planning on exploring Fukuoka's night life,
Nakasu's a great location.
The popular Canal City shopping mall is a short walk away.
Stop by in the evening for a free projection mapping show.
If street food is more your style,
walk along the Nakasu River and try Fukuoka's famous Yatai.
No matter what your style is,
there's definitely something for everyone in Nakasu.
Alright so Tatsu and I are staying here
at the Nakasu Kawabata location tonight
and our friend Chris Okano
at Okano TV is staying at another location
near Canal City.
So if you want to see what that hotel looks like,
make sure you check out his channel as well.
Also I'm going to make a list of the locations.
There's one more in Osaka I believe
so if you're interested in checking that out
if you're not coming all the way to Fukuoka
you can check out the Osaka one as well.
All the information is in the description.
- Thank you!
- [Micaela] Thank you.
(speaks foreign language)
- I'm waiting for you guys.
Video tonight.
(speaks foreign language)
I'm waiting.
I love you guys.
(laughing)