First Time Tourists Guide in Fukuoka, Japan

Image by P B from Google Maps

Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture situated on the northern shore of Kyushu Island

The city of Fukuoka is pretty much well-known as the cultural center of Kyushu that keeps so many well-preserved historical and cultural sites

Traveling along this city, you will never run out of the ancient temples, shrines, and other historical sites from the ancient time to learn about Japanese long history

Fukuoka Castle, Nanzoin Temple, Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, Dazaifu Tenman-gu are few among the rich cultural sites that you should visit in Fukuoka

Other than that, Fukuoka is also known as a big progressive city in Japan which means that you can also explore the more modern attractions of the city which include Fukuoka Tower, Tenjin Underground Mall, and many high-end restaurants, cafes, and bars to visit

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SIGHTSEEING

Of course, when you go to Fukuoka, you don’t want to miss out on visiting the most iconic landmark in the city. Fukuoka Castle is a great place to start your journey unraveling the beauty of Fukuoka. In the complex of this majestic palace, you will be warmly welcomed by the lavish traditional architecture of 17th century Japan. The castle is situated on the hilltop that allows you to take a good look at the surrounding city panorama. If you’re lucky enough, you can also see Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival displaying wonderful cherry blossoms that you can only see in Japan.

Fukuoka Castle

1600s castle site at a hilltop park with sweeping views & parts of the original walls remaining

Address : 1 Jonai, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0043, Japan

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DOWNTOWN

While you roam around the downtown area in Fukuoka, spare some time to enjoy the great view of the whole city of Fukuoka in Fukuoka Tower. The tower constructed in 1989 will allow you to see the panorama from the Hakata Bay to the surrounding area. If you go to the observation deck in this tower, you will be delighted to see the majestic view of Fukuoka especially if you come during sunset. To refresh your nerve after sightseeing the whole city, recharge your energy when you visit Ohori Park. Still located in the city center, in this park, you will get to enjoy a large lake with a beautiful traditional Japanese garden. If you come in the night, you will be blessed with the view of the light from the park’s pagodas and pavilions.

Fukuoka Tower

Modern skyscraper with an observation deck for panoramic city & bay views, plus dining & a lounge

Address : 2 Chome-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka, 814-0001, Japan

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Ohori Park

Share City park featuring a large lake, waterfront exercise paths, boat rentals & a coffee shop

Address : 1 Ohorikoen, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0051, Japan

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SHOPPING

If you are looking for the best place to shop during your trip in Fukuoka, come to Tenjin Underground Mall. With the design of European-inspired subterranean architecture, your shopping time is guaranteed to be worth spending. There are many high-quality brandless goods that you can take home from Fukuoka. The location of the shopping mall is also very strategic which makes it accessible to reach this mall.

Tenjin Underground Mall

Tenjin Underground Mall

Sprawling, European-inspired subterranean shopping center with 12 "avenues" of shops & eateries

Address : Japan, 〒810-0001 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Tenjin, 2 Chome, 地下1・2・3号

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FOOD & DRINK

A great way to experience a trip to a country is by exploring the traditional food scene. If you go to Fukuoka, you are lucky because this city offers you abundant great local foods to try. The best way to explore all the culinary attractions in Fukuoka is by visiting Yanagibashi Rengo Market. In this tradition, you can buy fresh stocks of Japanese fish, meat, and organic fruits and vegetables. The seafood here is particularly favorite for its fresh and best quality.

Yanagibashi Rengo Market

Yanagibashi Rengo Market

A local market in Fukuoka selling the fresh and high quality fish, meat, fruits and vegetables

Address : 1 Chome-5 Haruyoshi, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0003, Japan

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CULTURE

Fukuoka as the cultural center of the southernmost island of Kyushu preserves so many cultural and historical heritage in the forms of historical sites, shrines, temples, museums, and galleries. No wonder that when you visit this city, the first thing you can do is by looking at the many cultural facets of Fukuoka from the many sites spread out in the city. Nanzoin Temple is one of the ultimate places that you can visit if you want to learn a good deal of history in this city. Along this 19th century Buddhist temple, you can find the iconic miniature of Buddha standing 41 meters long. Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine is also the place that keeps some of the most important remaining from the Japanese ancient time. Surrounded by large cedars and camphor trees, this historical shine is home to old manuscripts and documents dating back from Middle Ages.

Nanzoin Temple

This 19th-century Buddhist temple features a 41m-long reclining Buddha statue & 4,000+ nokotsudo

Address : 1035 Sasaguri, Kasuya District, Fukuoka 811-2405, Japan

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Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine

Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine

This Shinto shrine in a tree-filled park was a prominent place in an old province of Japan

Address : 3 Chome-1-51 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0018, Japan

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

The most recommended time to visit Fukuoka is during May to December when the weather is warm enough with mediocre rainfall.

HOTEL

Fukuoka offers you a good variety of hotel options. If you want to stay in a Fukuoka hotel with the little touch of traditional Japanese ambiance, try Hotel Nikko Fukuoka. The polished hotel is only four kilometers from Fukuoka airports. What makes the hotel interesting enough is that each room here is featured with tatami floors and futons. There is also a sushi bar and a tearoom where you can spend the tranquil stay in the city of Fukuoka. Another unique and interesting hotel that you should pay attention to when you are in Fukuoka is WITH THE STYLE FUKUOKA. This modern boutique hotel will provide you dark wood-floored rooms containing original artwork and other supporting facilities. There is also an elegant Mediterranean restaurant, a steakhouse, and a cocktail bar to accommodate all your needs.

Hotel Nikko Fukuoka

Hotel Nikko Fukuoka

Surrounded by office buildings, this polished hotel is 4 km from Fukuoka Airport, 9 minutes' walk from the 9th-century Kushida-jinja shrine, and 2 km from the Fukuoka International Congress Center

Address : 2 Chome-18-25 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0011, Japan

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WITH THE STYLE FUKUOKA

WITH THE STYLE FUKUOKA

This boutique hotel has traditional open-air design with a chic modern vibe, and is a 7-minute walk from Hakata subway station and 2 km from the 8th-century Kushida-jinja Shinto shrine

Address : 1 Chome-9-18 Hakataekiminami, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0016, Japan

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RESTAURANTS

While you are in Fukuoka, you cannot possibly skip having an excellent taste of ramen in its hometown. Hakata Issou is more than ready to serve you with the high-quality taste of the best ramen in Fukuoka. The ramen here is served with a satisfying portion and is sold within a reasonable price. Definitely the kind of meal that you want to enjoy in Fukuoka. Another place to enjoy the authentic taste of Japanese cuisine at its finest is Ganso Hakata Mentaiju. The specialty menu available in this restaurant is mentaiko or spicy cod roe. Other than being the best place to eat delicious mentaiko, this restaurant also has a very unique and upscale architecture to adds some fond memories to your meal here.

Hakata Issou

The best place in Fukuoka to enjoy ramen in its most authentic flavor

Address : 3 Chome-1-6 Hakataekihigashi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0013, Japan

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Ganso Hakata Mentaiju

Ganso Hakata Mentaiju

Lavish Japanese restaurant which specializes in the best taste of mentaiko

Address : 6-15 Nishinakasu, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0002, Japan

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CAFE

For the best place to take a sip of old-fashioned artisanal coffee, Cafe Bimi is in the top recommendation. While sipping the excellent coffee, you are also welcomed to indulge yourself in the peaceful ambiance of the cafe. Now, if you are in the mood for some creamy and fluffy pancakes, you should definitely come to Cafe del Sol. Serving a great selection of extra delicious pancakes, your meal is guaranteed to be super fluffy.

Cafe Bimi

A coffee shop serving excellent sip of old fashioned artisanal coffee in Fukuoka

Address : 2 Chome-6-27 Akasaka, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0042, Japan

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Cafe del Sol

A cafe serving the best taste of fluffy and creamy pancakes in Fukuoka

Address : 1 Chome-14-45 Daimyo, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0041, Japan

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BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

Enjoying the night adventure in Fukuoka won’t be complete if you don’t have a sip of an excellent selection of beers from all around the world in Sam's Bar TalkEigo 英会話. This bar has been a favorite to hang out among both its local and tourist customers for having super cozy and relaxed atmosphere. If enjoying brilliant Scotch whiskey is your concern then the next recommended place is Bar Kitchen. Not only that, but this bar is also ready to spoil your night with over 3000 whiskeys to accompany your night in Fukuoka.

Sam's Bar TalkEigo 英会話

Sam's Bar TalkEigo 英会話

Great selections of international beers with friendliest service in Fukuoka

Address : 1-1-24 Kego (3-A) Chuo Ward (KEGO テラス124), Fukuoka, 810-0023, Japan

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Bar Kitchen

A bar with excellent selection of worldwide whiskies in Fukuoka

Address : Japan, 〒810-0073 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Maizuru, 1 Chome−8−23 26 アンピール舞鶴

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INTERESTING PLACES

Fukuoka offers you with abundant cultural and historical sites to explore. Sumiyoshi Shrine should among the list that you should definitely visit while you are in Fukuoka. Compared to other historical places in Fukuoka, this site has the older style of architecture that may give you different ambiance during your visit. This Shinto shrine is also said to be a very culturally significant place during the old days. Meanwhile, Dazaifu Tenman-gu is another amazing Shinto shrine that was built to be dedicated to the god of education and is especially popular among students. When they want to receive good luck during exam. They go to this place to purchase the small wooden prayer tablets. In the complex of the shrine, there are gardens, ponds, as well as beautiful ancient bridges.

Sumiyoshi Shrine

Sumiyoshi Shrine

A Shinto shrine that used to be a highly culturally significant place in the ancient time of Fukuoka

Address : 1321 Iwara, Itoshima, Fukuoka 819-1582, Japan

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Dazaifu Tenman-gu

Dazaifu Tenman-gu

Popular Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of learning, with a museum & gardens of plum trees

Address : 4 Chome-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117, Japan

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INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOTS

If you want the perfect place to take a bunch of aesthetic pictures with the background of Japanese blossoming flowers, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is the place that you are looking for. There is a seasonal flower festival featuring a great variety of pretty flowers from all over Japan. Other than the beautiful flowers garden, you can also enjoy various activities in the amusement park and swimming pool that offer other attractions to the visitors. Marine World is the favorite spot displaying the aquarium that contains 450 kinds of marine life. Alternatively, if you long to spend the day calmly while taking picturesque shots, Yusentei Park can be another brilliant option. The park is built 1754 and used to be functioned as the residence of Kuroda Tsugutaka. Around the complex of this park, you will be delighted to enjoy the scenic panorama of the surrounding garden, pond, and also the calming tea room. Also, the well-preserved traditional style of the park allows you to feel the ultimate relaxing time in the middle of your trip.

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Sprawling leisure space with an amusement park, a campground, a pool & seasonal flower festivals

Address : 18-25 Saitozaki, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka, 811-0321, Japan

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Yusentei Park

Built in 1754, the former residence of Kuroda Tsugutaka is a park with a garden, pond & tea room

Address : 1-46 Yusentei, Jonan Ward, Fukuoka, 814-0122, Japan

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