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Three essential picks to kickstart your Fukuoka trip.
Three emblematic spots you shouldn’t miss.
• Dazaifu Tenmangu: Grand head shrine of Tenmangu dedicated to learning; don’t miss the “ume-ga-e mochi” rice cakes on the approach.
• Itoshima: Chic cafés dot a stunning coastline; the white torii and Meoto Iwa at Sakurai Futamigaura are iconic.
• Hakata/Tenjin Yatai: Night-time food stalls lining the river—ramen, yakitori, oden, and friendly chats with locals.
Grand head shrine of Tenmangu dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, deity of learning.
Rub the bronze ox’s head for wisdom and good studies!
Welcoming around 10 million visitors a year, this is a spiritual center for academics, arts, and warding off misfortune.
The famed “flying plum tree” is said to have flown here overnight from Kyoto in devotion to Michizane.
◆Highlights: The “Goshingyu” (sacred ox) statue has a shiny head from countless hands seeking wisdom.
◆Good to know: Try the warm “ume-ga-e mochi” along the approach—each shop has its own subtle twist.
◆Access: ~5 min on foot from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station.
Selected among Japan’s best beaches: a white torii and twin “married rocks.”
Sunsets painting the torii and sea—Itoshima’s signature view.
A beloved coastal drive spot, with chic cafés and craft shops nearby. The white torii and shimenawa-bound rocks
symbolize harmony and are the very icon of Itoshima.
◆Highlights: Around the summer solstice the sun sets right between the rocks—pure magic.
◆Good to know: Often nicknamed the “sunset Futamigaura,” in contrast to Ise’s sunrise counterpart.
◆Access: ~30 min by bus from JR Chikuzen-Maebaru Station; driving is the most convenient.
Fukuoka’s night scene: lively riverside food stalls and warm, casual vibes.
Ramen, oden, yakitori—local comfort foods under the neon glow.
Around 100 stalls appear at night near Nakasu and Tenjin. Enjoy quick bites, beers, and easy conversation
with neighbors at the counter—then hop to the next stall, Hakata-style.
◆Highlights: Reflections of lights across the Nakagawa River make for a photogenic walk.
◆Good to know: Keep your stay short and sweet—it’s part of the fun to try a few stalls.
◆Access: Steps from Nakasu-Kawabata or Tenjin-Minami Subway Stations.
“Venice of Kyushu” — glide through castle-town waterways on a donko boat.
Skilled boatmen, songs, and seasonal scenery.
A 400-year tradition: drift along moats while hearing stories and songs. Cherry blossoms, irises, and autumn leaves
make each season a new delight.
◆Highlights: Occasionally the boat slips under very low bridges—mind your head!
◆Good to know: Multiple piers around Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station; free shuttle services available.
◆Access: From Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station; operators provide directions to boarding points.
Historic port town with Meiji–Taisho architecture and nostalgic seaside charm.
Stroll the retro waterfront—day or romantic night lights.
Once a major trading port, Mojiko preserves landmarks like Mojiko Station (Neo-Renaissance) and the former customs house.
Try the local specialty “yaki curry.”
◆Highlights: The Blue Wing Moji drawbridge opens six times daily with music—a favorite for couples.
◆Good to know: Known as the birthplace of the “banana auction” performance—see live demos at events.
◆Access: Right outside JR Mojiko Station.
Grand head shrine for safe travel by sea; a World Heritage site.
Ancient sea deities and sacred islands.
Dedicated to the three Munakata goddesses, the shrine complex spans Hetsu-miya (mainland), Nakatsu-miya, and
Okitsu-miya on Okinoshima—inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017.
◆Highlights: The main hall and worship hall (late 16th century) are Important Cultural Properties.
◆Good to know: Okinoshima observes strict taboos and remains intensely sacred.
◆Access: ~12 min by bus from JR Togo Station.
Open, seaside aquarium themed on the seas of Kyushu.
Dolphin & sea lion shows with Hakata Bay as the backdrop.
Around 350 species are displayed in dynamic, immersive tanks. The outdoor show pool faces the bay—spectacle guaranteed.
◆Highlights: Schools of sardines glitter like a silver dragon in the pelagic tank.
◆Good to know: The adjoining restaurant’s tai-chazuke is a sleeper hit among visitors.
◆Access: Next to JR Uminonakamichi Station; adjacent to the National Uminonakamichi Seaside Park.
Famed for the “Road of Light,” visible only twice a year.
Sunset aligning with the approach—an unforgettable glow.
The grand head shrine of Miyajidake nationwide. On select days in Feb/Oct, the sun sets along the long, straight approach to the sea,
creating the “Road of Light.”
◆Highlights: Three “largest in Japan” artifacts—shimenawa rope (3 tons), drum, and bell.
◆Good to know: Perfect alignment happens only on a handful of days—consider yourself lucky if you catch it.
◆Access: ~5 min by bus from JR Fukuma Station.
Guardian shrine of Hakata—beloved as “Okushida-san.”
Feel the spirit of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival year-round.
Associated with longevity and business prosperity, Kushida watches over Hakata’s culture and history.
It’s also the start point of the festival’s grand finale race.
◆Highlights: A towering decorative yamakasa (over 10 m) is exhibited year-round.
◆Good to know: Sip from the “Tsuru no Ido” spring for blessings of long life (legend says).
◆Access: ~5 min on foot from Gion Subway Station; near Canal City.
Catch, collect, and set free—interactive digital art in motion.
A forest? A universe? Move and the art moves with you.
Split into “Catching and Collecting Forest” and “Athletics Forest,” this museum turns art into an immersive game—adults and kids get hooked.
◆Highlights: Seasonal animals appear, so repeats are rewarded with new discoveries.
◆Good to know: Wear active clothes; mirror floors mean skirts can be awkward in certain rooms.
◆Access: Inside “BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA” next to the PayPay Dome.
Shimmering with 8,000 half-mirrors—symbol of Fukuoka’s skyline.
Views from 123 m up—city and sea at once.
Standing 234 m tall, it is Japan’s tallest seaside tower. Built for the 1989 Asia Pacific Expo, it anchors the city’s western waterfront.
◆Highlights: Seasonal/event illuminations; listed among Japan’s Top 100 Night Views.
◆Good to know: Nicknamed “Mirror Sail.” Don’t miss the quirky “Sky Gacha” at the top floor.
◆Access: ~25 min by Nishitetsu bus from JR Hakata Station.
“10-billion-dollar night view” — one of Japan’s New Three Major Night Views.
Ride the cable car & slope car to the sky deck.
At 622 m within the Kitakyushu Quasi-National Park, the day vistas and city-light panoramas are breathtaking.
◆Highlights: Views stretch across Kitakyushu and even the Kanmon Strait on clear days.
◆Good to know: A romantic dinner spot—famously chosen for proposals.
◆Access: Free shuttle from JR Yahata Station to the cable car base.
Flower fields, cycling, seasonal events—one day is barely enough.
Cycle with sea breeze and blossoms all around.
On the sandbar between Hakata Bay and the Genkai Sea, this national park showcases seasonal blooms from nemophila to roses.
A huge outdoor pool opens in summer.
◆Highlights: “Animal Forest” lets you meet capybaras and squirrel monkeys.
◆Good to know: The park is vast—rent a bike (two-seaters are extra fun).
◆Access: Right outside JR Uminonakamichi Station.
Beloved for matchmaking; cited as inspiration in pop culture.
Pray for bonds at the foot of Mt. Homan.
Revered for matchmaking, protection, and warding off calamity. The sleek 2012-rebuilt amulet pavilion is a design highlight.
◆Highlights: The “Tree of Reunion” is a popular power spot for wishing to meet (or reunite with) someone special.
◆Good to know: The “red thread” charm is tied until your wish comes true.
◆Access: ~10 min by community bus from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station.
A “city within the city” built around a flowing canal—shopping, movies, events.
The fountain show is practically a performance art piece.
A vast complex with a 180 m canal at the core. See frequent fountain shows—projection-mapped at night—and enjoy
the famous “Ramen Stadium.”
◆Highlights: Multiple ramen brands in one place—slurp your way to a favorite bowl.
◆Good to know: Daily events at the Sun Plaza Stage; check the schedule on site.
◆Access: ~10 min on foot from JR Hakata Station.
Unique “Kara-zukuri” style with an overhanging top floor—symbol of Kitakyushu.
Miyamoto Musashi had ties to this castle town.
The striking white keep was renovated in 2019 with more interactive exhibits; learn history via hands-on displays.
◆Highlights: Try the archery game and mechanical theater—fun learning for all ages.
◆Good to know: Musashi’s adopted son served the Kokura domain; the legend lives on.
◆Access: ~15 min walk from JR Kokura Station.
Colossal dinosaur skeletons and immersive dioramas—time-travel across eras.
Welcome to the world of dinosaurs.
One of western Japan’s largest natural-history museums, featuring a towering Seismosaurus and lively dioramas of Cretaceous Kyushu and the Yayoi period.
◆Highlights: Many skeletons are cast from original fossils—super photogenic.
◆Good to know: Former JR Space World Station is the closest landmark (short walk).
◆Access: ~5 min on foot from the area around the former JR Space World Station.
“Little Kyoto of Chikuzen”—a preserved castle town with seasonal beauty.
Walk through tunnels of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Traditional houses, earthen walls, and the famed “Black Gate” remain; the district is nationally protected for its historic scenery.
◆Highlights: The 500 m “Sugi no Baba” becomes a floral/foliage tunnel in spring/fall.
◆Good to know: Try local kudzu sweets—kuzukiri or kuzumochi—during your stroll.
◆Access: ~20 min by bus from Amagi Station (Amagi Railway).
Cool mist, green forests, and summer somen flowing by the stream.
Refresh at a 24 m veil of white water.
Midway up Mt. Haganeyama (530 m), the falls feel like silk threads cascading down. Facilities and eateries cluster at the “Fureai no Sato.”
◆Highlights: Seasonal “flowing somen” is a beloved summer tradition.
◆Good to know: Try the trout fishing pond and local specialty shops nearby.
◆Access: Mountain drive from Itoshima’s coast—take care on narrow roads.
Birthplace of tonkotsu ramen—rich, collagen-deep broth with history.
Hakata’s famous style traces back to Kurume.
Heavier and wilder than Hakata ramen, many shops use the heritage “yobimodoshi” method of replenishing stock, building deep flavor over time.
◆Highlights: Ramen-hop across noted shops to find your personal favorite bowl.
◆Good to know: Noodles tend to be slightly thicker than typical Hakata style.
◆Access: Many renowned shops cluster around JR Kurume and Nishitetsu Kurume Stations.
Home to one of the world’s largest bronze reclining Buddhas.
Comparable in size to the Statue of Liberty—jaw-dropping scale.
Head temple of the Sasaguri Shikoku Pilgrimage. The Reclining Buddha is 41 m long and 11 m high; touch the soles with engraved patterns for blessings.
◆Highlights: Relics (sarira) are enshrined; you can do an inner-temple visit.
◆Good to know: The chief priest once famously won the lottery—many come seeking fortune luck.
◆Access: ~3 min on foot from JR Kido-Nanzoin-mae Station.
Built by Kuroda Nagamasa—once nicknamed “Maizuru Castle.”
No main keep? The mystery fuels the imagination.
Sprawling remains at the city center, now a beloved park. In spring, over a thousand cherry trees bloom across the grounds.
◆Highlights: The Tamon-yagura turret and elegant stone walls evoke the past (Important Cultural Properties).
◆Good to know: Scholars debate whether a tenshu ever existed or was dismantled early.
◆Access: ~8 min walk from “Ohori Park” or “Akasaka” Subway Stations.
City oasis modeled after West Lake—moat turned water-garden.
Stroll waterside paths in the heart of the city.
A signature water park with bridges, a central pavilion, cafés, and rental boats. The adjacent Fukuoka Art Museum shows outdoor pieces like Kusama’s “Pumpkin.”
◆Highlights: A 2 km loop encircles the lake—perfect for jogging and cycling.
◆Good to know: Art and nature combine—plan a museum stop with your walk.
◆Access: Right at Ohori Park Subway Station; next to the castle ruins.
Viral “world’s top” wisteria tunnels—dreamlike purple showers.
Two tunnels (110 m & 80 m) and a massive wisteria dome.
A private garden open mainly during late Apr–early May; also renowned for autumn foliage with ~700 maples.
◆Highlights: The tunnels and dome are showstoppers—plan for timed entry in peak season.
◆Good to know: Peak spring visits require advance reservation/tickets and shuttle use.
◆Access: Shuttle buses (paid) operate from JR Yahata Station during peak season.
“Hakata’s Kitchen”—pro chefs and locals mingle in a 100-year market.
Breakfast on the freshest catch—right at the source.
An arcade packed with ~50 shops, mainly seafood from the Genkai Sea plus produce and deli counters.
◆Highlights: The market’s own diner serves crave-worthy sashimi bowls and set meals.
◆Good to know: A dedicated whale-meat shop reflects Hakata’s diverse food culture.
◆Access: ~5 min walk from Watanabe-dori Subway Station.
“Kitakyushu’s Kitchen”—retro lanes, riverside buildings, and warm vibes.
Build your own custom bowl—“Daigaku-don.”
With roots back to the Taisho era, ~120 shops line this nostalgic market. Despite a 2022 fire, its lively spirit continues.
◆Highlights: Buy rice at “Daigakudo,” then top it with sashimi and sides from stalls—create your own donburi.
◆Good to know: The name “Tanga” is tied to lodging and departures in old travel lore.
◆Access: ~10 min on foot from JR Kokura Station.
Founded by Kobo Daishi; home to one of Japan’s largest wooden seated Buddhas.
Walk through a “hell & paradise” passage beneath the statue base.
Said to be the first temple built by Kukai after returning from Tang China; also houses graves of the Kuroda lords.
◆Highlights: The 10.8 m “Fukuoka Daibutsu” impresses in scale and serenity.
◆Good to know: The rotating “Rokkakudo” bookshelf grants virtue with a single spin (tradition says).
◆Access: Right by Gion Subway Station.
Flower carpets on an island just 10 minutes by ferry from the city.
A quick ferry ride to a sea-and-flowers escape.
Seasonal fields (rape blossoms, sunflowers, cosmos, daffodils) overlook Hakata Bay; cafés, a mini-zoo, and playgrounds complete the fun.
◆Highlights: “Nostalgia Street” recreates old-timey Japan with candies and toys.
◆Good to know: Once praised in the Manyoshu—the island has deep history.
◆Access: Ferry from Meinohama; island buses connect to the park.
Among the oldest Sumiyoshi shrines; dedicated to seafaring and sumo deities.
Touch the ancient wrestler statue for a power boost.
The straight-lined ancient “Sumiyoshi-zukuri” main hall is an Important Cultural Property—one of Japan’s oldest shrine styles.
◆Highlights: Quiet, leafy grounds—surprisingly serene near Hakata Station.
◆Good to know: Pilgrims seek safety for voyages and inspiration for sport.
◆Access: ~10 min walk from JR Hakata Station.
A living Showa-era wooden playhouse—stage tours on non-show days.
Explore backstage—from the revolving stage to the “abyss” below.
Built in 1931, with flat earthen floor and box seating in classic style. Still hosts popular theater and concerts—and has survived floods with nationwide support.
◆Highlights: Peek into the human-powered rotation mechanism and hanamichi underpass (“naraku”).
◆Good to know: A symbol of resilience for the once coal-rich Chikuho region.
◆Access: ~5 min by bus from JR Iizuka Station (“Kaho Gekijo Iriguchi” stop).