Proud of its 2,000-year history, the city of Fukuoka has always been a gateway to Asia. Located opposite Korea and China, it is through here that continental culture entered the archipelago. Today, this modern city is the eighth city in Japan, but it has managed to preserve its cultural and historical heritage, sharing space with the administrative and economic centers. Previously, there were two cities, Fukuoka, the manor village, and Hakata, the commercial city. The two joined in 1889, but is still often called Hakata today. Nearby we can find mountains, onsen (spas), beautiful sea coasts and numerous parks. Fukuoka combines the dynamics of a big city with a culture and environment that allows visitors to relax. It regularly appears in the top positions of the Asian cities with the best quality of life.
Places to visit
Tenjin
Tenjin is the great shopping and business center of Fukuoka. But in addition to the shops and department stores, there you can also discover ancient sanctuaries. Tenjin Chikagai is an underground shopping center known for its fashion stores and for being a meeting place for young people. To the west of this neighborhood is the ACROS Fukuoka, a tourist and cultural information center, crowned with a terraced garden leading to the nearby Tenjin Central Park.
- Tenjin Subway Station
Yanagibashi Market
The best known market in the city is famous for the many varieties of fresh fish.
- 15-minute walk from JR Hakata Station
Canal City Hakata
Opened in 1996, this city is the first city of its kind in Japan. Around a 180-meter canal are the Fukuoka Municipal Theater, a 13-screen multiplex cinema, a futuristic amusement park, hotels, hundreds of shops, and everyday street attractions.
- 10-minute walk from JR Hakata Station
http://www.canalcity.co.jp/eg/
The yatai
The Nakasu and Tenjin wards comprise the majority of the 230 yatai registered in Fukuoka. Yatai are wagons that go out in the late afternoon and early evening and offer simple dishes to eat on the street, such as Hakata ramen (Chinese noodle soup with pork) or oden (vegetables and fish cakes cooked in broth).
Kushida Shrine
Fukuoka’s oldest Shinto shrine was created in 757, but the current buildings date back to 1587. It is the starting point for the Yamakasa festival, whose vessels are on permanent display.
- A 10 minute walk from Gion station.
Hakata Machiya Museum of Popular Arts
Located opposite the Kushida Shrine, this museum displays the life of the Hakatans during the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868-1926), as well as a representation of the Yamakasa festival.
- A 10 minute walk from Gion station.
Sumiyoshi Shrine
This shrine, dedicated to the protective deity of sailors, is one of the oldest in Kyushu. The current buildings, dating from 1623, are typical of the architect Sumiyashi zukuri.
- 15-minute walk from JR Hakata Station
Shofukuji Temple
After four years in China, Monk Eisai returned to Japan and built the country’s first Zen Buddhist temple. Eisai is also known for having introduced tea to the archipelago; the first tea plants were cultivated in this temple.
- 5 minute walk from Gion station
Tochoji Temple
Although its structure is modern, the temple was established here a long time ago. It is famous for a 10.8 meter tall wooden Buddha statue, the largest in Japan, completed in 1995.
- 2 minute walk from Gion station
Hakata Riverain
This new shopping center is home to the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum on the 7th floor, which houses a collection of contemporary Asian art. In the 2nd basement, you will find Nigiwai Square, where there are local crafts and free Internet access.
- Nakasu-Kawabata Station, Exit No. 6
- Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
http://riverain.co.jp/english/ - Nigiwai Plaza: Closed on January 1.
Bayside Place Hakata Futoh
This beachfront complex of shops and restaurants is one of the most popular spots in Fukuoka. Inside, there is a large aquarium on a column, while outside, large wooden pontoons allow you to walk to the sea shore. It is also the starting point for Hakata Bay cruises and ferries to nearby islands.
- 30 minute walk from Tenjin Station
Ohori Park
Parts of the old castle moats have been transformed into a large pond. In the park, there are also the Fukuoka Museum of Fine Arts and a Japanese garden. To the east, it borders Maizaru Park, where the ruins of Fukuoka Castle rise.
- 2 minute walk from Ohori Station
- Fukuoka Fine Arts Museum
http://www.fukuoka-art-museum.jp/english/index.html - Japanese garden
Minami Park
Located on a hill south of the city, this park is home to the Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden.
Yusentei Garden
In this former villa of a feudal lord, a traditional Japanese garden was created.
- 35 minutes by bus from Fukuoka Kotsu Terminal Bus Station, located near Hakata Station.
Seaside momochi
In this land reclaimed from the sea, Fukuoka offers its most modern face, hosting a large number of cultural and commercial centers. The 123-meter-high Fukuoka Tower is an excellent observatory in the city. To the north of this area, near the beaches, is the Marizon Pier, from which you can take a boat to cross Hakata Bay to the Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. To the south, we find the Fukuoka Municipal Museum, whose central theme is the role of the city as a center for trade with East Asia. Lastly, to the east, are Hawks Town and Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome, Japan’s first retractable dome stadium and home to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks baseball team. A walk goes around the stadium, on the 3rd floor.
A 15-minute walk from Tojinmachi, Nishijin, or Fujisaki Stations
- Fukuoka tower
http://www.fukuokatower.co.jp/english/index.php - Fukuoka Municipal Museum
Hakozaki Shrine
The current buildings of this sanctuary, founded in 923, date from the middle of the 16th century and the end of the 17th century. Every year, from September 12 to 18, the great Hojoya festival is held there. In the central avenue leading to the shrine, you will find the Hakozaki Shrine Flower Garden, famous for its peonies, but home to all kinds of flowers during all seasons.
- 2 minute walk from Hakozaki Station
Transport
By train
Tokyo Station> (from 5 hours 41 minutes to 6 hours 8 minutes by Shinkansen Hikari)> Hakata Station
Shin Osaka Station> (from 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours by Shinkansen Hikari)> Hakata Station
Hiroshima> (from 1 hour 9 minutes to 1 hour 22 minutes by Shinkansen Hikari)> Hakata Station
By plane
Narita Airport (Tokyo)> (1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours and 5 minutes)> Fukuoka Airport
Haneda Airport (Tokyo)> (1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes)> Fukuoka Airport
Kansai and Itami (Osaka) Airport> (from 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes)> Fukuoka Airport
Nagoya Airport (Centrair)> (1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes)> Fukuoka Airport