Nakasu Hakatafune has teamed up with Hakata Hanamidori for a special mizutaki course served aboard its sightseeing boat in Fukuoka. The collaboration brings together Kyushu-grown Hanamidori chicken, Hakata-style hot pot, and nighttime views of the Nakagawa River.
The course is served on Nakasu Hakatafune, Fukuoka City’s only yakatabune, which cruises through the Nakasu area. Regular departure times are 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:10 p.m.; daytime cruises may also be arranged by consultation. The ¥8,800 course price includes boarding.
The Hakata Hanamidori-supervised mizutaki uses chicken and soup made with Kyushu chicken leg bones and whole chickens. It is served with Nakasu Hakatafune’s original ponzu sauce and costs ¥8,800 (tax included). The boat also offers other banquet dishes, including sashimi, tempura, seafood charcoal grilling, and motsunabe.
About the Mizutaki Collaboration
The soup is prepared using a layered cooking method that slowly extracts flavor from chicken leg bones and whole chickens. It is rich but clean on the palate, allowing diners to enjoy the soup first, followed by the chicken and vegetables, before finishing with the remaining broth. The original ponzu combines several citrus fruits, including orange, kabosu, and bitter orange, then gains added depth from bonito flakes.
Highlights
- A collaboration between Nakasu Hakatafune and Hakata Hanamidori
- Kyushu-grown Hanamidori chicken and a soup made from chicken leg bones and whole chickens
- Nakasu Hakatafune’s original blended-citrus ponzu sauce
- A ¥8,800 mizutaki course (tax included), including the boarding fee
- Night cruises with changing views of Nakasu’s illuminated riverside scenery
Menu & Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Nakasu Hakatafune Limited Hakata Hanamidori Mizutaki |
| Menu / items | Hakata Hanamidori chicken, mizutaki soup, and Nakasu Hakatafune original ponzu; other boat dishes include sashimi, tempura, seafood charcoal grilling, and motsunabe |
| Location | Nakasu Hakatafune, Nakagawa River, Nakasu, Fukuoka |
| Boarding times | 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:10 p.m.; daytime cruises available by consultation |
| Address | 4-6 Nishinakasu, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka |
| Price | Mizutaki course: ¥8,800 (tax included), boarding fee included |
| Official website | Official website |
Before you buy
- How much is the Hakata Hanamidori mizutaki course?
- The course costs ¥8,800 (tax included), and the boarding fee is included.
- Where can I enjoy the mizutaki course?
- It is served aboard Nakasu Hakatafune on the Nakagawa River in Fukuoka’s Nakasu area.
- Do I need a reservation for Nakasu Hakatafune?
- Reservations are accepted by phone from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The boat’s regular departure times are 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:10 p.m.
Hanamidori is a branded chicken developed for Hakata’s mizutaki culture. It is raised in open-sided poultry houses in Kyushu and fed a specially formulated diet containing ingredients such as seaweed, herbs, grape pomace, and wood vinegar. The result is chicken with a clear savory flavor, firm texture, and less of the odor often associated with poultry.
Nakasu Hakatafune has operated since 1989 and runs both Japanese-style and Western-style boats. The Japanese boat can accommodate up to 42 people, while the Western-style boat can accommodate up to 24. Shared boarding is available for groups of two or more, and charter use starts at 10 people for daytime cruises and 20 people for evening cruises.
With the mizutaki course, the meal becomes part of the cruise itself: steam rises from the hot pot as the boat moves along the river, while the lights of Nakasu reflect on the water. This combination gives diners a way to experience a signature Hakata dish alongside the cityscape that surrounds it.
