Canal City Hakata — Architecture and Theatrical Shopping

Canal City Hakata (1996) is designed by architect Jon Jerde — the American responsible for CityWalk in Los Angeles and Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. The complex is built around an artificial canal that runs through a terraced retail amphitheater. What distinguishes Canal City from generic Asian malls is the programming: hourly water shows choreographed to music, daily street performances in the canal-level stage, and a food theme park (Ramen Stadium) that collects the best ramen shops from across Japan.