City (pop., 2000 prelim.: 1,341,489) and port, Japan .
It incorporates the former city of Hakata and is located on the southern coast of Hakata Bay. An ancient port, it was the scene of attempted invasions by Kublai Khan in the 13th century. It is now a regional commercial, industrial, administrative, and cultural centre. It contains an active fishing port and is the site of Kyushu University (1911). Hakata ningyo , elaborately costumed ceramic figurines found in most Japanese homes, are made there.