Fukuoka travel guide

Q: What is the name of Fukuoka Airport?

Fukuoka Airport is called Fukuoka Airport ( FUK ), formerly known as Itazuke Air Base. Flygplasten is only 5km from the center of Fukuoka and it takes about 15 minutes by car to get to the center. Bus, train and taxi are available at the airport and will take you quickly into town.

Places to visit in Fukuoka
with your Japan Rail Pass

Welcome to Fukuoka

As one of Japan’s largest and most progressive cities, Fukuoka has a lot to offer. Located in the north of Kyushu island, the city has a fantastic location right on the water. Thanks to that, several canals run through the city, creating a lovely atmosphere.

FUKUOKA CASTLE

Fukuoka Castle, also known as Maizuru Castle and Seki Castle, is a castle that once spanned an area of 47,000 square meters. Today only ruins and a small fraction of the original castle remain.

The part that remains is still impressive to see thanks to its location high on a rock bed overlooking the Naka River.

The best time to visit Fukuoka Castle is the first week of April when over 10,000 cherry blossoms bloom. It is also when the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival is held.

ŌHORI PARK

Ohori park is a very nice and popular public park with a big pond in the middle. Around the pond, there are cozy walking paths that are covered in beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. You will also find small bridges that lead you over to picturesque islands. Walk around and enjoy the beautiful nature and the tranquility it brings.

“Ohori” is the Japanese name for moat and the park got its name because the pond used to be part of the moat that protected Fukuoka Castle which is right next door. Plan to visit Fukuoka Castle and Ohori Park while you’re in the same area.

SUMIYOSHI JINA SHRINE

Sumiyoshi-jina Shrine is a shrine located right on the Naka River and is believed to have been one of the most important sites in the past. Sumiyoshi-jina was built over 1,800 years ago to protect and bring good luck to seafarers.

Among other things, the shrine has a counterpart in Osaka, so if you have visited it, you will recognize the building’s architecture as it follows the same traditional style called Sumiyoshi.

KUSHIDA JINJA SHRINE

Kushida Shrine is Fukuoka’s most popular tourist attraction and is also considered the city’s most important shrine. Built in 757, this Shinto shrine is the city’s oldest temple and is considered the city’s patron saint by locals.

If you are here in July, it is a must to visit Kushida Jinja Shrine as this is where the city’s biggest festival “Hakata Gion Yamakasa” starts. Read more about the festival below.

GION YAMAKASA FESTIVAL

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival is Fukuoka’s largest festival and is held annually in early July. The festival lasts for 2 weeks and ends with a competition where seven neighborhoods in Fukuoka’s Hakata district compete against each other. The competition is a time trial and the contestants must push large and beautifully decorated floats along a 5km distance. Fastest wins!

There are two different sizes of the parade floats. The largest are 10 meters high and weigh several tons. These are exhibited in the city and have a decorative purpose. The smaller carts are 5 meters high and weigh about 1 ton, and these are the ones they compete with.

MARINE WORLD UMINONAKAMICHI

A perfect outing for the whole family. Visit Marine World Uminonakamichi and experience Fukuoka’s marine life up close. Among other things, the aquarium is home to over 100 sharks that swim around in a large water tank with panoramic glass.

In total, the aquarium has 70 different tanks, the largest of which is home to over 20,000 creatures. Be sure to visit their outdoor tanks where you can experience dolphins and sea lions while enjoying the view of Hakata Bay.

UMINONAKAMICHI SEASIDE PARK

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is right next to Marine World and is therefore perfect to visit on the same day. Enjoy a lovely walk among thousands of beautiful flowers and plants such as tulips, sunflowers, hydrangeas, and roses.

Thanks to its 2,000 cherry trees, the park is also one of the most popular cherry blossom spots. In the park, you will also find an amusement park, playgrounds, and pleasant cycle paths. For those interested in cars, there is a museum with old Japanese cars and if you are there in the summer, there is a pool for the whole family to swim in.

SHOPPING

Canal City Hakata is a large shopping complex known as “a city within a city”. A canal runs through the shopping complex creating an airy atmosphere and in the middle of the canal, there is a large fountain that has shows every 30 minutes. In addition to its unique design, Canal City is home to 250 shops, restaurants, a gaming center, and two hotels.

Tenjin Chikagai is Fukuoka’s largest underground shopping mall. It stretches for about 600 meters and has 150 different shops with, among other things, fashion, books, and technology which are spread over 12 avenues. The floors have a European design and the ceilings Arabic design, which together create a pleasant atmosphere.

YANAGIBASHI MARKET

A great way to experience the local culture is to visit a food market. We recommend the food market Yanagibashi Market, although it is small in size, it is called Hataka’s Kitchen.

Yanagibashi is known for its fresh seafood, its many food vendors, and fresh local produce. This is where the locals and restaurant owners go to buy their ingredients. Stroll around among the stalls and treat yourself to something good to eat.

SEASIDE MOMOCHI

Seaside Momochi Park is a modern area right on the water and has a lot to offer. Here you will find, among other things, Momochihama Beach, which is an artificial beach and stretches 1km. Around the beach, there are restaurants and shops as well as the possibility to rent jet skis, windsurfing, and paddle boards.

In Seaside Momochi Park you will also find Marizon, which is located at the far end of a pier and is mainly used for weddings. However, there are some restaurants and shops here.

Other famous buildings you can find here are Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka City Museum, and Fukuoka Paypay Dome.

FUKUOKA TOWER

Climb the Fukuoka Tower and enjoy the magnificent view of the city. The tower is the city’s tallest at 234 meters above the ground. Visit one of the observation deck’s three floors and look out over the sea and the city, 123 meters above the ground.

The tower is clad with 8,000 mirrors and is the city’s national symbol. We recommend a visit in the evening to see the sunset from the tower while you enjoy a good dinner in the restaurant located high up in the tower. In the evening, the entire tower is illuminated and is even more beautiful than during the day. You don’t want to miss this!

NAKASU

Nakasu Island is a small island in the middle of Fukuoka where the Naka River flows on one side and the Hakata River on the other. It is recommended that you go here in the evening to take part in the happy atmosphere and to experience the neon lights reflected in the canal. Here you will of course also find lots of restaurants and street food stalls with all the local favorites.

Good to know is that Nakasu is also a red-light district, which means that here you can come across strip clubs, brothels, and other adult places. But don’t worry, it’s not something you’ll notice as you walk around unless you’re actively looking for it.

EAT LOCAL FOOD

Street food (Yatai) is a must-try in Fukouka. You will find these food stalls, called Yatai, along the streets outdoors. Yatais are iconic to the city of Fukuoka and you can find them scattered all over the city but the best place to go is Nakasu Island. There are 20 stalls in a row along the canal. They all offer local favorites such as ramen and motsunabe.

Ramen Stadium can be found inside Canal City Hakata and has eight ramen restaurants with ramen from all over Japan. If there’s one local dish you should try in Fukuoka, it’s ramen. Fukuoka is famous for its Hakata ramen or Tonkotsu ramen as it is also called. You can find it at most Yatais restaurants or at Ramen Stadium.

DAZAIFU TENMANGU

If you have time to spare and want to explore the area outside Fukuoka, we can recommend a visit to Dazaifu. Only 15 km, about 1 hour by bus or train, away from Fukuoka you will find Dazaifu, which is famous for its temple Dazaifu Tenman-gu, which is home to hundreds of plum trees.

Dazaifu Tenman-gu is 250 meters from Dazaifu Station and the road to the temple from the station is filled with small cozy shops. Once at the temple, you are greeted by a Torii gate that leads you to a pond shaped after the Japanese sign for heart.

Dazaifu Tenmangu is quite large and has two museums, Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum and Kanko Historical Museum. The first museum is home to all the treasures of the temple and in the second museum, you can learn about the history of the temple.

NANZOIN TEMPLE

15 km east of Fukuoka you will find Nanzoin Temple, one of the prefecture’s most visited and also most important temples. It is visited annually by more than one million pilgrims.

What you don’t want to miss and the reason why most tourists go here is the 41-meter-long reclining Buddha statue. The massive bronze statue weighs 300 tons and is the largest bronze statue in the world. The statue is longer is the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Beyond the temple and statue, there is a nice walking loop to the picturesque village of Sasaguri. The walking loop is well-marked and along it, you come across several smaller statues of Buddha, as well as charming streams, bridges, and gardens.

Anything else to know before arrival?

Don’t worry, we got you covered with the most important information below.

What is the name of Fukuoka Airport?

Fukuoka Airport is called Fukuoka Airport ( FUK ), formerly known as Itazuke Air Base. Flygplasten is only 5km from the center of Fukuoka and it takes about 15 minutes by car to get to the center.

Bus, train and taxi are available at the airport and will take you quickly into town.

What to do in Fukuoka?

In Fukuoka, you can enjoy a vibrant mix of activities and sights. Start with a visit to Ohori Park to relax by the lake, and explore the ruins of Fukuoka Castle nearby. Don’t miss the bustling Hakata district, where you can shop in traditional markets and sample local delicacies like Hakata ramen.

How far is Fukuoka from Tokyo?

Fukuoka is approximately 1,100 kilometers (about 684 miles) from Tokyo. The fastest way to travel between these two cities is by Shinkansen (bullet train), which takes around 10 hours. Considering the distance and multiple train rides you might take during your trip in Japan, purchasing a Japan Rail Pass before you arrive can be a smart choice.

Is Fukuoka worth visiting?

Absolutely, Fukuoka is worth visiting. This dynamic city offers a rich blend of traditional culture and modern attractions. From exploring the historic sites like Fukuoka Castle to enjoying vibrant street food scenes, particularly the famous Hakata ramen, there’s much to experience.

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