Fukuoka City is the prefectural capital of Fukuoka Prefecture, located on the northern coast of Kyushu, and is the largest city in Kyushu. With a population of approximately 1.6 million, it is the fifth largest city outside of Tokyo after Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo. Fukuoka City is a very popular city not only for business but also for sightseeing. Hakata Tenjin, located in the center of the city, is lined with huge commercial facilities. In the Nakasu area, there are many stalls that are Fukuoka’s specialty. Recently, the Seaside Momochi district, which includes Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Dome, and the suburban Uminonakamichi district have been developed for tourists and are gaining popularity.
This page is a guide to popular tourist destinations and attractions in Fukuoka City. For information on all of Fukuoka Prefecture, please refer to the articles linked below.
Table of Contents
Outline of Fukuoka city
Gateway to Kyushu
Fukuoka City is the gateway to sightseeing in Kyushu. If you are planning a trip to Kyushu, Fukuoka is a good place to start or end. Fukuoka Airport is well-equipped with both international and domestic routes. It takes about two hours from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Fukuoka Airport. JR Hakata Station, located in the center of Fukuoka City, is a major Shinkansen station, approximately five hours from Tokyo Station on the fastest Shinkansen, and two and a half hours from Shin-Osaka Station. The Shinkansen also runs from Hakata to Kyushu. From Hakata Station, it takes about 35 minutes at the fastest to Kumamoto Station, and 1 hour and 20 minutes to Kagoshima Chuo Station on the southern coast of Kyushu. In addition to the Shinkansen, there are various limited express trains that go to various parts of Kyushu from Hakata Station.
Access
Fukuoka Airport
Fukuoka Airport is an airport with very good access to the center of Fukuoka City. It takes about 5 minutes from Fukuoka Airport to Hakata Station by subway.
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JR Hakata Station
At Hakata Station, you can use the Shinkansen, regular JR trains, and the subway. The subway is very convenient for sightseeing in Fukuoka city. Hakata Station has a large commercial facility called “JR Hakata City”.
Weather and Climate in Fukuoka City
There is an article explaining the weather and appropriate clothing for Fukuoka City. You can check it by month.
| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July | August | September |
| October | November | December |
Hakata
FUKUOKA, JAPAN – AUGUST 4TH, 2018. Pedestrian at Japan Railway Hakata Station building at night = Shutterstock
Hakata is the downtown area around JR Hakata Station, and together with nearby Tenjin, it is the largest shopping area in Kyushu. Hakata is close to the JR station, so it is recommended if your stay is short.
JR Hakata City
“JR Hakata City” is one of Japan’s leading station buildings directly connected to JR Hakata Station, with a height of 60 meters and a total floor area of about 200,000 square meters. The core store is the department store Hakata Hankyu, and there is also a specialty store area called Amu Plaza Hakata (AMU) with about 230 stores. Amu Plaza Hakata also has Tokyu Hands and movie theaters. There are also many restaurants such as Hakata’s famous tonkotsu ramen. From JR Hakata City’s rooftop “Tsubame no Mori Hiroba”, you can see a wide view of Kyushu. If you stop by Hakata Station by transit, you can enjoy just “JR Hakata City”.
Canal City Hakata
Canal City Hakata is a large-scale commercial facility located 10 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by bus from JR Hakata Station, with a total floor area of 250,000 square meters. Canal City Hakata has a huge sales floor for MUJI, UNIQLO, ZARA, and more. There are also theaters, movie theaters, and hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka. Ramen Stadium, a restaurant district with delicious ramen shops from all over Japan, is also popular.
Tenjin
FUKUOKA, FUKUOKA PREFECTURE, JAPAN – FEBRUARY 07, 2020: View of Tenjin Chikagai area, also known as Tenchika, Tenjin Station’s famous underground shopping center area = Shutterstock
Tenjin, along with Hakata, is the largest entertainment district in Kyushu, and is located five minutes by subway from Hakata Station. There is a vast underground mall here, so you can enjoy it regardless of the weather. In addition, there is the specialty store building “Fukuoka Parco” that is popular among young people, and the vast Tenjin Central Park. If the weather is nice, we recommend taking a walk to Ohori Park, a popular tourist spot. By subway, it takes 3 minutes from Tenjin to Ohori Park.
Tenjin Chikagai （Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall)
In Tenjin, we recommend theTenjin Chikagai （Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall). The cobbled streets and other design elements of 19th-century Europe are unique, and it’s fun just to stroll around. There are about 150 shops, and most things are available. Fukuoka Parco is also nearby.
>Find the Tenjin best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor
Nakasu Kawabata
FUKUOKA, JAPAN. 2019 JULY 6th. Yatai Food Stand, Along Nakasu Riverside and street = Shutterstock
If you want to visit Fukuoka City’s most local entertainment district, Nakasu is the place to go. Nakasu lies between two rivers and is famous for its rows of food stalls. In fact, eating pork bone ramen at food stalls is very popular among tourists.
Along with Tokyo’s Kabukicho and Sapporo’s Susukino, Nakasu is known as one of Japan’s top three entertainment districts, and is actually home to many restaurants and pubs.
Nakasu is just a short walk from Nakasu Kawabata Subway Station. In addition to Nakasu, there is also the Kawabata area around Nakasu-Kawabata Station. Although it is not very famous, it is actually home to sightseeing spots such as the Hakataza Theater and the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, which exhibits modern and contemporary works from Asia. The historic Kushida Shrine is also recommended.
food stalls
The most popular attraction in Nakasu is, by far, the food stalls that line the streets in Seiryu Park and along the Naka River. After evening, a 5-minute walk from Nakasu Kawabata Subway Station will bring you to many food stalls, so be sure to experience them.
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum is a very unique museum specializing in modern and contemporary Asian art. Its collection and exhibitions are highly acclaimed by art critics. It is located just a short walk from Nakasu Kawabata Subway Station.
Kushida Shrine
Kushida Shrine is a historic shrine that has long been familiar to Fukuoka citizens. Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a festival representing Fukuoka held every July, is dedicated to Kushida Shrine. Since there are many tourists from overseas, omikuji (pieces of paper with fortune-telling results) are also available in English, Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese.
Ohori Koen (Ohori Park)
Ohori park, November 11 2017, Fukuoka Japan, Ohori park is a big garden and has a nice lake = Shutterstock
The Ohori Park area is centered around Ohori Park, the most popular urban park in Fukuoka City. In addition to the park, there is also the Fukuoka City Museum of Art and the Noh Theater. The park is easily accessible from Hakata and Tenjin by subway.
Ohori Park
Ohori Park is an urban park built around the outer moat of the former Fukuoka Castle, about 2 km in circumference, ideal for jogging and strolling. In the center of the park is a large pond where visitors can take a boat ride. In addition, there is an authentic Japanese garden.
Seaside Momochi
Scene from Fukuoka Tower at night on 15 November 2015 in Fukuoka, Japan = Shutterstock
Seaside Momochi is a new town built on reclaimed land on the shore of Hakata Bay, about 25 minutes by bus from JR Hakata Station. Here you will find the 234-meter-high Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka City Museum, Seaside Momochi Seaside Park, and Fukuoka Dome (Fukuoka PayPay Dome). In addition, there are shopping facilities and hotels. At Seaside Momochi Seaside Park, you can swim in the sea in the summer. If you want to enjoy a sense of openness, Seaside Momochi is the place to be.
Fukuoka Tower
Fukuoka Tower is a 234-meter-high tower that is the symbol of Fukuoka City. From the observation deck at a height of 123 meters, visitors can view not only Fukuoka City, but also Hakata Bay and the land of Kyushu. You can also see airplanes flying to and from Fukuoka Airport.
Fukuoka Dome (Fukuoka PayPay Dome)
Fukuoka Dome (Fukuoka PayPay Dome) is the exclusive stadium of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japanese professional baseball team. Next to the stadium is BOSS E-ZO FUKUOKA, an entertainment facility with the latest attractions, theaters, and restaurants.
Uminonakamichi
Flower gardens at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka City = Shutterstock
Uminonakamichi is a vast sandbar 8 km long that connects Shiga Island in Hakata Bay to the Kyushu mainland. It is home to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, a vast national park, the Marine World Uminonakamichi aquarium, and golf courses.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is a 260-hectare national park with a vast lawn, six types of swimming pools, rose and other flower gardens, camping grounds, a small zoo, and more. The beautiful flower gardens and ocean views are popular among tourists.
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