December 1 marks the 50th anniversary of Hakata Station’s three underground department stores: Ming, Hakataeki Chikagai and Hakata Ichibangai. To celebrate, there are various promotions and events over the next few weeks. On 11/25 (Mon.), Hakataeki Chikagai will hand out scratchcards to shoppers, with a chance to win gift vouchers up to ¥5,000 value, or special meal and shopping deals. From 11/25 (Mon.) ~ 12/25 (Wed.) shoppers who spend ¥3,000 at any of the three stores can enter a lucky draw with prizes including 25 trips for two to Hawaii! Hakata Ichibangai will have a special menu for their 50th anniversary from 12/1 (Sun.) ~ 12/15 (Sun.). On 12/5 (Thu.) Ming will give you 20% payback in the form of a ¥100 gift voucher for every ¥500 purchase, and on 12/1 (Sun.) you can purchase one of 500 limited Ming sweets assortment boxes, available at Ming Hiroba for ¥1,500 incl. a Ming-chan mascot kewpie doll. There’s an exhibition of past advertising posters and TV commercials playing at Ming Hiroba from 11/17 (Sun.) ~ 11/30 (Sat.), and on 11/29 (Fri.), 11/30 (Sat.) a street band Chindon-tai will perform there for the crowds. Idol fans will flock to see the “Kyushu Idol Festival” at Ming Hiroba on 11/24 (Sun.) 13:00 ~, including Kyushu idol groups such as Mitoeriasu and Niimo. On the 50th anniversary date, Dec. 1, the first 1,000 people to show up at Ming Hiroba from 9:00~10:30 will receive a flower. Plus, radio personalities in their fifties Ryo Monma, Michiko Onihashi, Junko Nakashima and Junya Kato will host an RKB public radio event from 14:00~15:30. Finally, singer Sayaka Shionoya will have a live talk show from 13:00~ at Ming Hiroba on 12/14 (Sat.). For more info, check the shops’ websites: Ming: http://www.ming.or.jp, Hakata Ichibangai: http://hakata-1bangai.com, and Hakata Chikagai: http://www.e-ekichika.com
