Pokemon, Anpanman & More: The Ultimate Guide to Character Shops in Fukuoka

Fukuoka punches way above its weight when it comes to character shopping with kids. While Tokyo’s anime stores are scattered across the city, Fukuoka concentrates almost everything family-friendly into three walkable indoor zones — Hakata Station, Canal City, and LaLaport. That means less stroller-pushing through the rain, fewer “are we there yet?” meltdowns, and more time actually picking out plushies. This guide maps out the best character shops by area, with practical tips on crowds, tax-free rules, and which spots work for toddlers vs. tweens.

Quick Overview: Where to Go by Character

Pokémon, Nintendo, Sanrio (small) → Hakata Station complex (AMU Plaza, Marui, Hankyu)
Kirby, Studio Ghibli, Sanrio (large), Shonen Jump → Canal City Hakata
Gundam (life-size statue + Gunpla) → LaLaport Fukuoka
Anpanman → Hakata Riverain Mall (Nakasu-Kawabata Station)

All four zones are reachable by subway, and three of them connect directly to indoor shopping arcades — perfect for rainy days or summer heat with little kids.

Hakata Station Area: Pokémon, Nintendo & Easy Souvenirs

Hakata Station isn’t just a transit hub — it’s a character-shopping mini-district. AMU Plaza, Hakata Marui, and Hakata Hankyu are all linked under one roof, so you never have to step outside with the stroller. If you’re planning a heavy shopping day, basing yourself nearby saves a lot of taxi fare and tantrums. Our guide on Best Areas to Stay in Fukuoka with Kids: Hakata vs Tenjin vs Momochi breaks down which neighborhood fits your family’s pace.

Pokémon Center Fukuoka (Hakata Marui 2F) — a must-visit for trainers

The Pokémon Center moved to a much larger space inside Hakata Marui in mid-2025, and it’s the single most-requested stop for kids visiting Fukuoka. Expect wall-to-wall plushies, the full TCG card lineup, and Fukuoka-exclusive merch — Pikachu in local festival costume is the most popular souvenir.

Family tip: Weekend afternoons can mean 20-minute checkout queues. Aim for a weekday morning right after the 10:00 AM opening, or visit after 6:00 PM when school groups have cleared out.

Nintendo Fukuoka (AMU Plaza Hakata) — Kyushu’s first official store

Opened in late 2025, Nintendo Fukuoka is the first official Nintendo store in all of Kyushu. The entrance has life-size statues of Mario, Link, and the Splatoon Inklings — easily one of the best free photo ops in Hakata. Inside you’ll find exclusive merchandise from Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, and Pikmin that simply isn’t sold elsewhere in Japan.

Family tip: On opening weekends and holidays, the store uses a numbered-ticket entry system. Pick up a ticket from the AMU Plaza information counter first thing in the morning.

Sanrio Shop (Hakata Hankyu 7F) — quick Hello Kitty stop

If your kids are obsessed with Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, or Hello Kitty but you don’t have time for Canal City, the small Sanrio counter on the 7th floor of Hakata Hankyu is a fast in-and-out option. It’s connected directly to the station, so you can grab a souvenir on your way to catch the shinkansen.

Canal City Hakata: The All-in-One Character Hub

If you only have time for one stop, make it Canal City. The B1 floor alone has Kirby, Ghibli, Sanrio, and Shonen Jump shops within a 3-minute walk of each other. The mall is technically open-air around the central canal, but every shop is indoors and stroller-friendly — making it a top pick for our list of Rainy Day Fun in Fukuoka: Top Indoor Activities for Families with Kids.

Kirby Café & Store (B1F) — pink-themed everything

The Kirby Café is one of Fukuoka’s hottest family reservations. The menu features Kirby-shaped burgers, Waddle Dee rice plates, and Maxim Tomato pasta — all photo-perfect. Important: café reservations open about a month in advance and sell out within minutes. If you couldn’t grab a seat, the Kirby Store next door is walk-in and stocks exclusive plushies, kitchenware, and stationery you can’t find online.

Donguri Kyowakoku — the Studio Ghibli store (B1F)

Step through a wooden archway into Totoro’s forest. Donguri Kyowakoku sells beautifully crafted towels, puzzles, finger puppets, and music boxes from My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and more. Most items are lightweight, packable, and make far classier souvenirs than typical airport gifts.

Sanrio Gallery (B1F) — the bigger Hello Kitty experience

This is one of the largest Sanrio shops in Kyushu, with a much wider selection than the Hankyu counter. Don’t miss the vintage Hello Kitty popcorn machine that plays the original 1976 jingle — pure nostalgia for parents who grew up with the brand.

Jump Shop (B1F) — for tweens and teens

The official Shonen Jump store is essential for older kids into One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, or Jujutsu Kaisen. Stock includes manga volumes (in Japanese), apparel, acrylic stands, and limited-edition figures. Note that some collector items are age-rated, so younger siblings may need to wait outside certain displays.

LaLaport Fukuoka: Gundam Pilgrimage & Family Day Out

A 15-minute bus ride from Hakata Station, LaLaport Fukuoka has become a pilgrimage site for mecha fans of all ages. The mall pairs perfectly with a half-day at A Family Guide to KidZania Fukuoka: Career Fun at LaLaport, which is located in the same building — letting you split the day between role-play for younger kids and Gundam shopping for older ones.

Gundam Park Fukuoka (4F) & the Life-Sized RX-93ff ν Statue

Outside the mall stands the tallest Gundam statue ever built — the RX-93ff ν Gundam, towering at roughly 24.8 meters. The statue performs short illumination shows in the evening (free to watch). Inside, head to Gundam Side-F on the 4th floor for limited-edition Gunpla model kits exclusive to this location. Even non-fans tend to leave with at least one starter kit.

Family tip: Beginner Gunpla kits (Entry Grade or High Grade) start around ¥770 and are great rainy-day craft projects back at the hotel — no glue or paint required.

Anpanman Children’s Museum (Hakata Riverain Mall)

For toddlers and preschoolers aged roughly 1–5, Anpanman is the ultimate hero — and Fukuoka has one of Japan’s best Anpanman experiences. Located on the 5th and 6th floors of Hakata Riverain Mall, the museum connects directly to Nakasu-Kawabata subway station, so it’s an easy stroller trip from anywhere downtown.

Unlike the other shops in this guide, the main Anpanman stores sit inside the ticketed museum area. The exception is the bakery and a small gift counter on the entry floor — both open to non-ticket holders. Inside the museum you’ll find DIY craft kits, baby-safe toys, fresh character bread, and daily live stage shows.

Practical Tips for Character Shopping with Kids

Tax-free shopping: Pokémon Center, Nintendo Fukuoka, and most shops in Canal City and LaLaport offer tax-free purchases for tourists spending ¥5,500 or more in a single transaction. Bring your physical passport — digital copies are not accepted.
Gashapon (capsule toys): Budget-friendly heaven. Canal City and Hakata Bus Terminal both have huge gashapon arcades with ¥300–¥500 capsules covering nearly every popular character. Bring a coin pouch — machines only accept ¥100 coins.
Crowd timing: Pokémon Center, Nintendo, and Kirby Store are busiest on Saturdays 1:00–4:00 PM. Weekday mornings or after 7:00 PM are dramatically calmer.
Stroller access: All four zones in this guide are 100% stroller-accessible with elevators. Canal City and LaLaport offer free stroller rentals at the information desks.
Pack a small backpack: Plushies and Gunpla boxes take up space fast. Many shops will gift-wrap purchases for free if asked — useful for protecting fragile items in your luggage.