Fukuoka Prefecture has lots of attractive sightseeing spots where you can do various activities. The following are some examples of what you can do in Fukuoka.
- Visit the god of learning
- See popular manga materials at the manga museum
- Enjoy beautiful flowers in the garden
- Shop in Kyushu's largest shopping district
- Eat Fukuoka specialties at the stalls
- Experience the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival
- Temples, Shrines and Castles not to be missed in Fukuoka
Before that, to know more about the basic information of Fukuoka, please read this article, Guide to Fukuoka, “A gateway to Asia” of Japan.
Sightseeing Attractions in Fukuoka
In around 1500-1600, there is a long history of famous cultural figures visiting Fukuoka Prefecture and interacting with foreigners. Furthermore, Fukuoka is also well-known as a place where the general and warlords were active, and lots of ancient castles, shrines and temples still remain. This time, we will introduce the recommended spots in Fukuoka.
Fukuoka Castle
Fukuoka Castle Ruins are located in the centre of Fukuoka City. This is a large castle that was built by the Fukuoka’s general of the early 17th century. It is also known as "Maizuru Castle", which is derived from its shape as seen from the Hakata Bay side.
There is no actual castle here at present, but you can enjoy looking at the important cultural properties, the towers and gates, that remain as they originally were on the vast site.
Spot information
- Spot name: Fukuoka Castle Ruins (福岡城跡)
- Street address: Jōnai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka. 810-0043
- Nearest station:
- Fukuoka City Subway Ohori Koen Station… 5 minutes on foot
- Akasaka Station… 5 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Available (depending on Fukuoka City Wi-Fi area)
- Language: English, Chinese (Simplified / Traditional), Korean
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Dazaifu Tenmangu is a shrine situated in Dazaifu City located on the west side of Fukuoka Prefecture. Its origins date back to the 10th century. The one enshrined is worshipped as a god of learning as he was a person who was skilled at learning.
In addition, it is known as a famous place for ume, around 6,000 plum trees have been planted within the precincts, so lovely flowers bloom in every spring.
Spot information
- Spot name: Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天満宮)
- Street address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117
- Nearest station: Nishi-Nippon Railroad Dazaifu Station… 5 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Available（Dazaifu_City_Wi-Fi）
- Language: English
- Ticket: At acceptance (treasure hall, public history museum)
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
Munakata Taisha
Munakata Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, situated in Munakata City, located on the north side of the Fukuoka Prefecture. Munakata City has been a god of sea transportation and traffic safety as it served as an important channel for trade with other continents and the Korean Peninsula.
In addition, it has been registered as The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region that was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Spot information
- Spot name: Munakata Taisha (宗像大社)
- Street address: 2331 Tajima, Munakata-shi, Fukuoka. 811-3505
- Nearest station: JR Togo Station ... about 12 minutes by bus
- Wi-Fi: Available (Munakata Free Wi-Fi)
- Language: Japanese only
- Ticket: At acceptance (Shinboukan)
- Credit cards: Unavailable
Must-see Museums and Art Museums in Fukuoka
When you come to Fukuoka Prefecture, the cultural artifacts and art objects should not be missed. Here, we will introduce the museums and art galleries where valuable cultural assets can be found.
Fukuoka Art Museum
The Fukuoka Art Museum is located in the centre of Fukuoka City. It collects and displays artwork related to Kyushu and antiques. In addition, they vigorously collect contemporary art, and you can encounter historical pieces of artwork and rare pieces of art from Japan and other countries.
Spot information
- Spot name: Fukuoka Art Museum (福岡市美術館)
- Street address: 1-6 Ohori Koen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city, Fukuoka
- Nearest station:
- Fukuoka Subway Ohori Koen Station…About 10 minutes on foot
- Ropponmatsu Station ... About 10 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Language: English
- Ticket: At acceptance
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
Fukuoka City Museum
The Fukuoka City Museum is located on the coast of Fukuoka City. There are researches and exhibits regarding the history and ethnicity of the Fukuoka area. Among them, the national treasure "kinin"(gold seal), which is said to be from the 1st century, is a valuable property that shows the exchange between ancient China and Japan.
Spot information
- Spot name: Fukuoka City Museum (福岡市博物館)
- Street address: 3-1-1, Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka. 814-0001
- Nearest station: Fukuoka City subway Nishijin station… About 15 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Language: English, Chinese, Korean
- Ticket: At acceptance
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
Kitakyushu Manga Museum
The Kitakyushu Manga Museum is a museum where the theme is to watch, read and draw manga (Japanese comics). As well as the permanent exhibition centred on the work of manga artists from Kitakyushu, manga’s diverse range of appeal is shown through manga reading and drawing classes.
Spot information
- Spot name: Kitakyushu Manga Museum (北九州市漫画(まんが)ミュージアム)
- Street address: 2-14-5 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka, 802-0001
- Nearest station: JR Kokura Station ... about 2 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Available（ARUARUCITY Wi-Fi）
- Language：English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean, Thai
- Ticket: At acceptance
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
Parks or Scenic Spots that should be Visited in Fukuoka
Fukuoka Prefecture has parks where you can relax both physically and mentally, and scenic spots that are so beautiful that you are sure to get absorbed in it. Here, we will introduce some of them.
Seaside Momochi Park
Seaside Momochi Park is an artificial coast in the northern bay area of Fukuoka City. It has an urban atmosphere and the same feeling of freedom as a resort, and it is visited by people regardless of the season. In addition, is also popular as a sightseeing spot at night due to its beautiful sunset and night view.
Spot information
- Spot name: Seaside Momochi Park (シーサイドももち海浜公園)
- Street address: 2~4 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka shi 814-0001
- Nearest station:
- Fukuoka City Subway Nishijin Station ... Approximately 15 minutes on foot
- Fujisaki Station ... Approximately 20 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Unavailable
Kawachi Fujien
Kawachi Fujien is a garden situated in Kitakyushu. The scenery of around 20 different types of wisteria blooming from late April to early May is fantastic, and the wisteria tunnel, which stretches for about 110 metres, is a must-see.
In addition, around 700 autumn leaves that are coloured in autumn are beautiful. The park is open only during the wisteria flowering period (late April to early May) and during the autumn leaves season (mid-November to early December).
Spot information
- Spot name: Kawachi Fujien (河内藤園)
- Street address: 2-2-48 Kawachi, Higashi-ku, Yahata, Kitakyushu 805-0045
- Nearest station: JR Yahata Station… About 21 minutes by bus… 47 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Unavailable
- Language: English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean, Thai
- Ticket: In convenience stores
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
Ohori Park Japanese Garden
Ohori Park Japanese Garden is a garden located in the centre of Fukuoka City. It has been built in a Japanese style known as Kaiyushiki (廻遊式), where you can enjoy walking around the garden while appreciating its surroundings. Around 40 kinds of trees are planted in the garden, and each season the garden is coloured by flowers that have reached their peak.
Spot information
- Spot name: Ohori Park Japanese Garden (大濠公園日本庭園)
- Street address: 1-7 Ohori Koen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka shi 810-0051
- Nearest station: Fukuoka City Subway Ohori Koen Station ... about 13 minutes on foot
- Wi-Fi: Unavailable
- Language: English, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Korean
- Ticket: At acceptance
- Credit cards: Unavailable
Recommended Shopping Spots in Fukuoka
If you plan to go shopping in Fukuoka, head to Fukuoka City. Tenjin in Fukuoka City area is the largest shopping district in Kyushu. There are various kinds of shops, such as department stores, fashion buildings, miscellaneous goods shops, and electronics stores, which makes it an ideal place for shopping.
There are also lots of shopping spots in Fukuoka City, such as the areas around JR Hakata Station and Canal City.
| Spot Name | Features |
| Fukuoka Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) | A shopping complex with shops such as fashion stores and miscellaneous goods shops |
| Solaria Plaza (ソラリアプラザ) | A fashion building aims at people in their 20s-30s |
| Solaria Stage (ソラリアステージ) | A station building with souvenir shops in Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) station |
| Fukuoka PARCO | A fashion building for young people in Tenjin |
| Hakata Hankyu | A high-class department store for adults in Hakata |
| JR Hakata City | A shopping complex building directly connected to Hakata Station |
Canal City Hakata and Solaria Plaza are recommended for those who like to buy casual brands. In contrast, if you are looking for high-brand fashion, you should head to department stores like Hakata Hankyu and Fukuoka Mitsukoshi.
In addition, Solaria Stage and Fukuoka PARCO are perfect for finding souvenirs in Fukuoka.
Festivals or Events in Fukuoka
In Fukuoka, there are traditional festivals that have been around for a very long time, and there are also unique events. Here are some of them.
| Famous Festival | Event Period | Features |
| Hakata Gion Yamakasa (博多祇園山笠) | July |
|
| Houjoya (放生会) | September |
|
| Hakata Dontaku (博多どんたく港まつり) | May |
|
| Chikugo River Firework (筑後川花火大会) | August | The largest fireworks festival in western Japan that has been held for around 360 years in Kurume |
| Sentomyo (千灯明) | September | An event that has been held for more than 900 years, where 1,000 candles illuminate the precincts of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine |
Of particular interest is Hakata Gion Yamakasa. It is a festival that has been held for more than 700 years and has also been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decoration known as Kazari Yamakasa (飾り山笠) that are installed around the city are colourful and impressive.
Others include spring festivals and illumination events that are held in various places in Fukuoka. The details of the events can be checked on the official website of the city that represents each area.
Nightlife in Fukuoka
The appeal of Fukuoka is not only its daytime activities. There are many bars and clubs where alcohol can be enjoyed all night. There are lots of bars and clubs in the prefecture around Fukuoka city’s Tenjin area, which is said to be the best shopping district in Kyushu, to the Nakasu-Kawabata area, and Hakata area.
Fukuoka City also has a famous spot called Fukuoka Yatai (福岡屋台). There are around 100 Yatai (food stalls) scattered throughout the city. In the small space, a conversation can be enjoyed over the counter and it is possible to watch meals being prepared. The menu has a variety of dishes from Oden to Teppanyaki to Hakata Ramen.
If you are satisfied with your meal and have more time, go to see the night view of Fukuoka. Kitakyushu in Fukuoka is one of Japan's three most famous night views. The recommended spots with beautiful views are the Sarakurayama and Mojiko Retro Observatory.
Is Fukuoka Safe at Night?
The crime rate in the Fukuoka Prefecture is decreasing each year. In addition, the creation of towns that physically prevent crime preventions is being promoted, as well as watching over the city. However, it should be noted that Hakata and Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, where Tenjin is located, have the highest crime rates within the prefecture.
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