Record tourism is flowing into Japan, but as always, people are going to the same spots – Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. There must be more to Japan than these three prefectures, right? YES!
When people first think of Japan, Fukuoka is not usually one of the places that crosses their minds, but it holds its own when it comes to delicious food, beautiful nature spots, and historical Japanese charm. All of these can be enjoyed with fewer crowds, and locals who are still excited to meet and welcome overseas guests.
To help you discover the area, here is a guide to 20 things to do in Fukuoka– created by a girl who has been living in the area for over 4 years (and loves food, new activities, and beautiful places.) Keep reading to discover one of the most underrated parts of Japan!
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20 Best Things to Do in Fukuoka
- Bicycle along Itoshima’s coast
- Explore Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
- Indigo-dye Your Own Clothes
- Spend the Night at a Craft-Themed Inn
- Ride a Gourmet Sightseeing Train
- Slurp Down Hakata Ramen
- Unwind at an Onsen
- Stand Above a Field of Tea
- Dine at a Yatai Food Stall
- Stroll in Ohori Park
- Catch Views Atop a Nearby Mountain
- Unwind at a Speakeasy Craft Bar
- Visit the Giant Buddha at Nanzoin Temple
- Taste Mizutaki Chicken Soup
- Attend a Festival
- Ride Down a Canal in Yanagawa
- Give your Prayers at Kushida Shrine
- Take in the Nightlife from a River Boat
- Shop Till You Drop
- Seasonal Flowers at Uminonakamichi and Nokonoshima Island Park
1. Bike along Itoshima’s Coast
Itoshima is located about an hour’s train ride from central Fukuoka and has a starkly different atmosphere from the city. It is the perfect place to experience a nature-centered, laid-back environment. The area is a popular surf spot, and with cycling lanes and cafes that dot the coast, biking to different food spots is a great trip for active travelers. Check out this Itoshima Biking Guide and this Itoshima activity guide to get ideas of what to do! Bonus: In the winter, Itoshima is famous for its kakigoya oyster huts! Put on a protective jacket, sit by a grill of hot coals, and cook up fresh seafood yourself!
2. Explore Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Daizaifu Tenmangu is a must-visit shrine when you are in Fukuoka. Enjoy the pedestrian street lined with shops and eateries that leads up to the shrine precincts. Don’t forget to try umegaemochi – a hot dessert filled with sweet red bean paste that is cooked in front of shop windows. The Shrine’s Main Hall is currently undergoing reconstruction, but a temporary shrine with a full garden on its roof stands in as a neat replacement. During the spring, the area fills with the sweet smell of plum blossoms and the colors of pink and white. On the evening of January 7th, witness the Onisube Fire Festival, which takes place on the grounds. Learn more about Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine: video, article.
3. Indigo-dye Your Own Clothes
In the quiet Chikugo region, step into the workshop of a traditional indigo dyer and Kurume Kasuri textile weaver. At Tanaka Kasuri Kobo, learn from the fourth-generation head how he indigo dyes and hand-weaves textiles following traditional methods. See the vats of fermenting indigo and experience dyeing fabric or clothes you bring yourself! Bonus: The craftsman also runs a delicious coffee shop next to the indigo dyeing studio. Learn more about this traditional craft.
4. Spend the Night at a Craft-Themed Inn
Take an hour’s drive to Yame’s Fukushima District, where traditional white-washed buildings line the quiet streets. This is an area of merchants and artisans that prospered during the Edo period and continues to live on today. Experience an immersive craft stay in a bamboo or indigo-themed room at the Japanese inn, Craft Inn 手 [té]. The furniture and fixtures were made by local craftsmen and tell a story about the region’s traditional heritage. Learn more about Craft Inn 手 [té] here, or book here.
5. Ride a Gourmet Sightseeing Train
Looking for a food and travel experience wrapped in one? Hop aboard The Rail Kitchen Chikugo, Fukuoka’s specialty sightseeing and gourmet food train! This luxury experience passes through Fukuoka’s Chikugo Region and is a great way to explore the area’s food, scenery, and crafts. Several itineraries are available with stops at different destinations, and the menu changes with the seasons. Learn more about riding the Rail Car Chikugo: video, article.
6. Slurp Down Hakata Ramen
Trying a bowl of Hakata Ramen must be on your list! Hakata ramen is made from a rich and creamy tonkotsu pork bone broth. Expect deep flavors and long, thin, katamen noodles. There are hundreds of ramen restaurants that serve Hakata Ramen, so you’re sure to find a place during your visit. My personal list of ramen shops will be available in my Fukuoka Food Guide – coming soon. Until then, check out this page for some places to try Hakata Ramen, including a special vegan-friendly place!
7. Unwind at an Onsen
One of my favorite ways to unwind and relax? With a nice soak in a hot bath! If you aren’t shy and are willing to dip your toes into a special part of Japanese customs (pun intended), make your way to a local hot spring facility. The large establishments usually have indoor and outdoor baths, lounging rooms, hot stone rooms, massage services, free Japanese comics, and more. At the smaller, local sentos, expect a simple setup with just a wash station and soaking space. Learn more about bathing at a public onsen in this Fukuoka Hot Spring Onsen Guide.
8. Stand Above a Field of Tea
People may not be familiar with Yame tea, but Yame’s Gyokuro is one of the highest grades of tea available in Japan. At the top of the Yame Central Tea Plantation, drink in the fantastic view of the green tea fields. At the Green Monster Cafe next door, enjoy sipping on Yame tea and eating tea-themed snacks like chiffon cake! See this video about biking to the Yame Tea Fields!
9. Dine at a Yatai Food Stall
Another iconic element of Fukuoka is the Yatai food stalls. These small wooden shops are built every day and line the streets of the city during the evening. Many of the stalls serve up dishes like Hakata ramen, yakitori, gyoza, and yakisoba. Visiting a yatai is a good way to meet new people and try out local specialties. Learn more about yatai food stalls here!
10. Stroll in Ohori Park
Enjoy a nice stroll and view at Ohori Park, a registered Monument of Japan. The bright red pavilion in the center of the lake makes for a good photo spot, as does the Japanese Garden at the southern end. At one of the restaurants and cafes around the park, such as &LOCALS Ohori Park Shop and the Royal Garden Cafe Ohori Park, stop for a break and take in the scenery.
Bonus: If you visit Fukuoka in the early spring, head over to Maizuru Park (located right next to Ohori Park) to see over 200 plum trees blooming. During cherry blossom season, this area is also a great place to visit. Check out cherry blossom spots in Fukuoka here!
11. Catch Views Atop a Nearby Mountain
If you’re itching for a mountain climb, a hike up Mt. Tachibana or Mt. Tateishi is my recommendation. Mt. Tachibana is easier to get to and offers views of Fukuoka’s city skyline. Mt. Tateishi is more difficult to reach as it is located in Itoshima, but the views of the blue coast and fields below are incredible.
12. Unwind at a Speakeasy Craft Bar
Fukuoka has a vibrant nightlife with innumerable bars and breweries around the city. Head to the areas of Tenjin/ Daimyo or Nakasu for more options than you might have time for. One of my favorites is the cocktail bar, Laffite. This speakeasy can be difficult to find, but if you locate the right door, you’ll be in for some incredible cocktails. Find my personal bar recommendations in the Fukuoka Bar and Brewery Guide – coming soon!
13. Visit the Giant Buddha at Nanzoin Temple
In the mountains of Sasaguri, you’ll find the Nanzoin Buddhist temple. Here lies a large bronze statue of a reclining Buddha that stretches over 40m in length. You can enter the Buddha’s hollow body for a nominal fee. After seeing the Buddha, take some time to walk around, as the surrounding area is also lovely.
14. Taste Mizutaki Chicken Soup
Another Fukuoka specialty is Mizutaki, a specialty chicken soup dish made by cooking chicken bones for a looooong time. Mizutaki is served with lots of vegetables and comes with different cuts of chicken to cook in the soup. Since the soup contains a lot of collagen, it is believed to be good for one’s skin and complexion. Learn more about Mizutaki here!
15. Attend a Festival
Many festivals occur in and around Fukuoka throughout the year. In the winter, fire festivals light up the evening darkness at Daizaifu Tenmangu or Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine. In the spring, the city comes to life for the Dontaku Parade. In the Summer, the exciting Yamakasa float festival takes place, as do many fireworks festivals, including the one over the Chikugo River. You can also enjoy beautiful windchime festivals at shrines like Nyorinji in Ogori, Fukuoka.
16. Ride Down a Canal in Yanagawa
Yanagawa is a small city in southern Fukuoka, easily accessible by train, and is a great place for a day trip or overnight stay. Yanagawa is most known for its steamed unagi dish, seiro mushi, and leisurely canal boat rides. When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, the ride through the water cannot be beat! Learn more about visiting Yanagawa here.
17. Make a Visit to Kushida Shrine
Kushida Shrine is known as the guardian shrine of Hakata and was originally built in 757. (The present shrine was rebuilt by daimyo Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1587.) During your visit, don’t forget to check out the Yamakasa Float that stands tall next to the main hall. This float is built every year by local Hakata Ningyo (doll) makers.
18. Take in the Nightlife from a River Boat
To enjoy the city from a new perspective, take a boat ride on the Naka River. Although guidance is in Japanese, the scenery itself is very enjoyable, especially at night when the neon lights reflect on the river water. During the 30-minute ride, pass by yatai food stalls, Canal City, Hakata Port Tower, and Bayside Place Hakata. There is also a route that runs slightly longer and includes Fukuoka Tower and PayPay Dome. Make reservations online or show up on the day of and ride if spots are still available.
19. Shop Till You Drop
For those who are coming to Fukuoka to shop, you have many options available. Below street level is the Tenjin Underground Mall, which stretches nearly 600 meters. Other malls such as PARCO, SOLARIA PLAZA, and Canal City are also nearby and house a broad array of shops. For even more serious shopping, head over to LaLaPort Fukuoka, an expansive complex that opened in April of 2022 and has over 200 shops. Outside, there is a towering GUNDAM model complete with moving limbs and glowing eyes.
20. Seasonal Flowers at Uminonakamichi and Nokonoshima
Different seasonal flowers can be enjoyed almost year-round in Fukuoka. Two great places to visit for a floral-themed outing are Uminonakamichi Seaside Park and Nokonoshima Island Park. You can reach Uminonakamichi by bus, ferry, or train. Nokonoshima Island Park can be accessed using a ferry and bus. Enjoy cherry blossoms, bright yellow nanohana, blue nemophila, roses, hydrangeas, sunflowers and more at these parks. Learn more about Fukuoka’s seasonal flowers here!
Final Thoughts
And this wraps up my list of 20 things to do in Fukuoka! Of course, there are many more things you can do in this region as well as other places to discover outside of Fukuoka. My recommendation for most travelers is to come and enjoy the city, then explore other parts of Kyushu via car or train. For ideas of more places to visit, check out this list of weekend and overnight trip recommendations!
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This book is a visual introduction to the grandeur of Japan’s Kyushu region. The over 60 pages of photos and text depict various spots for sightseeing, enjoying nature, and experiencing seasonal festivals. Enjoy perusing the pages and discovering some of Kyushu’s less-traveled treasures! Ships Internationally.
Where to Stay in Fukuoka
If you are looking for a place to stay in the heart of Fukuoka, here are the areas I recommend.
Near Hakata Station
Hakata Station is the main transportation hub for Fukuoka and the rest of Kyushu. Shinkansens, trains, subway lines, and buses – all connect with Hakata Station. Fukuoka Airport is also conveniently located just a 5-minute subway ride away. If convenient travel is a top priority, then booking a hotel near Hakata Station is recommended!
High-end: Miyako Hotel Hakata is located on the eastern side (Chikushi-guchi) of Hakata Station, mere minutes walk from the exit. Breakfast is served on the upper floors with a grand view of the city below. I have also had visitors stay at Nikko Hotel Fukuoka who enjoyed their stay.
Budget: APA Hotel is a large chain with many locations around Japan. The rooms are economical (aka a bit small) but have everything you need for a simple stay.
Tenjin and Daimyo
Tenjin is a bustling business district full of shops, bars, restaurants, and more. The area is super walkable and connects to Hakata Station easily via bus or train. Expect a louder and more dynamic atmosphere.
High-end: For a top-tier stay, you can’t go wrong with the recently built Ritz-Carlton that overlooks the brand-new Daimyo Garden City area.
Many hotels also line Watanabe-dori which is a large streets between Hakata Station / Canal City area and Tenjin.
Staying Outside of the City
For a truly unique stay outside of the city, I recommend Craft Inn Te in Yame. Read about what it’s like to stay at this art-themed accommodation here!
For a luxurious getaway by the sea, Itoshima is my top recommendation. This area is great for cycling, winter oyster huts, seaside cafes, hiking, and more. A great place to stay in Itoshima is the newly built seven x seven Hotel that sits right out over the water. Learn more about Itoshima in my full guide!