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]

History

Canal City Hakata began construction on June 3, 1993, and opened for business on April 20, 1996. The complex was designed by The Jerde Partnership. 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 Canal City.^[3]