On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, two new shops open on the B1 floor of Canal City Hakata, a commercial complex in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka. They are the Mentai France specialty shop Hakata no Aji Yamaya (博多の味やまや) and the fruit concept shop FLA-LAB (フララボ). Both come from Yamaya, the Fukuoka-based maker of karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and the openings fall on November 11, which Yamaya has designated "Mentai France Day" (めんたいフランスの日).
Hakata no Aji Yamaya offers takeout Mentai France made with Yamaya's karashi mentaiko, in a lineup of five varieties that includes products exclusive to Canal City Hakata. FLA-LAB serves a fruit drink called "Mochuru" (もちゅーる), which combines colorful fruit with a specially made jelly that has a chewy, springy bite and a smooth, slurpy texture, along with the plant-based lactic acid bacteria LP-17.
Background of the Openings
Hakata no Aji Yamaya brings the Mentai France sold at Yamaya's Dazaifu shop, Kokura Station, and Hakata Station, among other places, to Canal City Hakata so that more people can try it. The shop is aimed at tourists, inbound visitors, and local customers alike.
FLA-LAB is a new brand that grows out of the fruit-growing knowledge and passion that Yamaya's agricultural brand Kajyukura (果樹蔵) has built up over many years. It combines new ideas and techniques to widen what fruit can be, valuing the natural flavor of the fruit while offering new textures and combinations.
What to Expect at the Shops
Mentai France (image)
At Hakata no Aji Yamaya, the Mentai France is a bread filled with mentai filling made from Yamaya's karashi mentaiko, combining the mentaiko's slightly spicy kick with the aroma of the bread. In addition to the standard Mentai France, the lineup includes versions combined with cheese or Genovese, for a total of five varieties, including items exclusive to Canal City Hakata. Because it is sold for takeout, it is easy to enjoy between shopping and sightseeing.
Mentai France (image 2)
At FLA-LAB, the focus is on the natural flavor of the fruit, drawing on the care Kajyukura has put into growing fruit. The signature item, "Mochuru," is a fruit drink that lets customers enjoy both the flavor of the fruit and the texture of the special jelly. The fruit is selected from Japan and abroad by a fruit sommelier, and the drinks make use of the characteristics of each ingredient, such as strawberries from the company's own farm, pears from Asakura, and domestic matcha.
Mochuru Amaou Strawberry (image)
Menu (Selected Items)
All prices include tax.
Hakata no Aji Yamaya
- Mentai France (明太フランス): ¥500
- Rich Mentai Cheese France (濃厚明太チーズフランス): ¥850
- Mentai Genovese (明太ジェノベーゼ): ¥650
- Deluxe Mentai France (贅沢明太フランス): ¥600
- Mentai France Dog (明太フランスドッグ): ¥850
Mentai France (image 3)
FLA-LAB
- Mochuru Amaou Strawberry (もちゅーる あまおう苺): Regular ¥1,000, Short ¥850
- Mochuru Strawberry Milk (もちゅーる いちごみるく): Regular ¥950, Short ¥800
- Mochuru Pear (もちゅーる 梨): Regular ¥800, Short ¥650
- Mochuru Apple (もちゅーる りんご): Regular ¥800, Short ¥650
- Mochuru Mandarin Orange (もちゅーる みかん): Regular ¥800, Short ¥650
- Mochuru Matcha Banana (もちゅーる 抹茶バナナ): Regular ¥800, Short ¥650
Mochuru (image)
Mentai France Day Special Promotions
To mark Mentai France Day on November 11, Yamaya is holding special promotions on that day only at the following places. Details are available on the Yamaya official website.
- Yamaya official online shop
- Yamaya directly operated retail stores
- Yamaya restaurants
- Yamaya Factory Terrace
Opening Commemoration Promotions
To mark the openings of Hakata no Aji Yamaya and FLA-LAB, there are two promotions: offers for customers who follow designated social media accounts, and a campaign in which visits to the shops earn triple stamps in the Yamaya official app.
Social Media Follow Offers
Period: Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
Hakata no Aji Yamaya
Customers who follow Yamaya's official X account, "辛子明太子のやまや" (@yamaya_fan), or the official Instagram account of YAMAYA BASE (@_yamayabase_), receive extra mentaiko on their Mentai France.
FLA-LAB
Customers who follow Kajyukura's official Instagram account (@kajyukura.fan) receive two Fuyu persimmons grown on Yamaya's own farm. Customers visiting from overseas receive persimmons cut into easy-to-eat pieces.
Limited quantities each day. The offers end when supplies run out.
Yamaya Official App Stamp Campaign
- Period: Wednesday, November 11 to Monday, November 30, 2026
- Participating shops: Hakata no Aji Yamaya (Mentai France specialty shop) and FLA-LAB Canal City Store
- Yamaya official app: https://www.yamaya.com/app/
Visits to the participating shops earn triple stamps in the Yamaya official app. The two shops share a cash register, so even when items from both Hakata no Aji Yamaya and FLA-LAB are purchased together, stamps are given for one transaction only (3 stamps).
Shop Overview
- Shop names: Hakata no Aji Yamaya / FLA-LAB
- Opening date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Closed: None
- Address: Canal City Hakata B1F, 1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (〒812-0018)
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from Hakata Station (JR and subway), or about a 3-minute walk from Kushida Jinja-mae Station on the Nanakuma Line subway
