What to Do in Fukuoka | A Castle & Tower + Fun Family Seaside Activities
Planning a trip to Kyushu and wondering what to do in Fukuoka? The region’s capital city is brimming with historical attractions and seaside activities. Fukuoka is a port city situated on Japan’s southern Island of Kyushu, and because of its proximity to South Korea, the city’s culture is unique from other parts of Japan. Discover the history of Fukuoka through these top attractions, and learn how it was combined with the former city of Hakata to create the modern metropolis it is today.
1. Explore Fukuoka Castle Ruins & Maizuru Park
A stroll through Maizuru Park and Fukuoka Castle Ruins is a fantastic way to get to know Japanese culture and enjoy some one-of-a-kind scenery. Visitors will find Fukuoka Castle Ruins in the center of Maizuru Park. Walkways lead visitors to several viewpoints and around remaining parts of castle walls and structures. Of course, the best time to visit Fukuoka Castle Ruins is during March and April when spring cherry blossoms are in bloom, but the park is beautiful and a peaceful place to walk year-round.
How to get there: Maizuru Park and Fukuoka Castle Ruins are just outside Ohorikoen Station.
2. Take a stroll in Ohori Park
Connected to Maizuru Park is Ohori Park, which is made up of a lake that once supplied the moat for Fukuoka Castle. Guests can walk the entire circumference of the lake and even venture out to three islands in the center via walking paths and Japanese-style stone bridges. The entire area is perfect for snapping beautiful photos, but the center islands are landscaped like Japanese gardens. On the south side of the lake visitors will find an actual Japanese garden – Ohori Park Japanese Garden. Families might like to take a boat ride across the lake and stop by Fukuokashi Museum to watch a Japanese tea ceremony and view sumo and other cultural exhibits.
Ohori Park hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
How to get there: Ohori Park is a few steps from Ohorikoen Station
3. Visit Shofukuji Temple
Recognized as the oldest Zen temple in Japan, Shofukuji Temple is guarded by Sanmon Gate. Through the grand gate, added in 1911, visitors will find walking paths that lead guests around the temple complex. Shofukuji Temple was established in 1195 with the purpose of establishing Zen Buddhism in Japan. Many of the buildings have been destroyed by fire and later rebuilt, but the grounds maintain their historic feel.
Hours: Shofukuji Temple is open 24 hours a day
How to get there: The temple is a three-minute walk from Gion Station
4. Explore Momochi Seaside Park
Families with children will love a day at Momochi Seaside Park. This modern waterfront area located in Hakata Bay offers lots of outdoor activities, museums, beaches, restaurants and shopping.
Things to do in Momochi
- Fukuoka Tower – enjoy a panoramic view of the city and bay area from this landmark tower on the coast.
-
Momochihama Beach – this kilometer stretch of artificial beach is packed with restaurants and coffee shops. Visitors can view Marizon, the city’s luxury wedding venue, and catch a ferry to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park across the bay.
-
Fukuoka City Museum – discover Fukuoka’s history and significance in Japan’s relationship with neighboring Asian countries.
5. Enjoy Japanese cuisine at Food Stalls (Yatai)
Nakasu Island is a unique island situated in the center of Fukuoka, and on the island is where visitors will find Food Stalls (Yatai). The outdoor street food haven is home to about 20 yatai, or small restaurants, that serve up some of the best Japanese food in Fukuoka. Foodies and hungry travelers can sit down to a hot bowl of Hakata ramen, a specialty found only in Fukuoka, steaming plates of yakitori and traditional oden (fish cake skewers). Thirsty travelers can even find beer and cocktails in the area, as most stalls are open from about 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and the street is somewhat popular for its nightlife.
Where to stay in Fukuoka
Fukuoka is a large city but is rather compact and easy to navigate. All areas are connected by train, but a few neighborhoods will put you within walking distance of some of Fukuoka‘s best attractions.
Tenjin
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Fukuoka is Tenjin, which is considered the downtown core of the city. The area is home to Tenjin Central Park and Fukuoka Prefectural Art Museum, and Natural Hot Springs Tenjin Yunohana is just down the road.
Check In to Hotel WBF Fukuoka Tenjin Minami, Step Out to Tenjin
Hakata
Hakata Ward sits across the river from Tenjin. The neighborhood is loved for its traditional feel, and tourists can catch kabuki shows, Japanese handicrafts and plenty of Hakata ramen noodle shops.
Check In to The Gate Hostel fukuoka, Step Out to Hakata
Nishijin Station
The neighborhood near Nishijin Station gives tourists easy access to Fukuoka Tower and Momochi Seaside Park. This area also is known as one of Fukuoka‘s top shopping spots.
Check In to Hotel Sunline Fukuoka Ohori, Step Out to Nishijin Station
Yakuin Station
The area around Yakuin Station is particularly popular with the younger, creative crowd looking for art, unique cafes and coffee shops. This neighborhood is next to Tenjin.
Check In to Plaza Hotel Tenjin, Step Out to Yakuin Station
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Planning a trip to Kyushu and wondering what to do in Fukuoka? The region’s capital city is brimming with historical attractions and seaside activities. Fukuoka is a port city situated on Japan’s southern Island of Kyushu, and because of its proximity to South Korea, the city’s culture is unique from other parts of Japan. Discover the history of Fukuoka through these top attractions, and learn how it was combined with the former city of Hakata to create the modern metropolis it is today.
1. Explore Fukuoka Castle Ruins & Maizuru Park
A stroll through Maizuru Park and Fukuoka Castle Ruins is a fantastic way to get to know Japanese culture and enjoy some one-of-a-kind scenery. Visitors will find Fukuoka Castle Ruins in the center of Maizuru Park. Walkways lead visitors to several viewpoints and around remaining parts of castle walls and structures. Of course, the best time to visit Fukuoka Castle Ruins is during March and April when spring cherry blossoms are in bloom, but the park is beautiful and a peaceful place to walk year-round.
How to get there: Maizuru Park and Fukuoka Castle Ruins are just outside Ohorikoen Station.
2. Take a stroll in Ohori Park
Connected to Maizuru Park is Ohori Park, which is made up of a lake that once supplied the moat for Fukuoka Castle. Guests can walk the entire circumference of the lake and even venture out to three islands in the center via walking paths and Japanese-style stone bridges. The entire area is perfect for snapping beautiful photos, but the center islands are landscaped like Japanese gardens. On the south side of the lake visitors will find an actual Japanese garden – Ohori Park Japanese Garden. Families might like to take a boat ride across the lake and stop by Fukuokashi Museum to watch a Japanese tea ceremony and view sumo and other cultural exhibits.
Ohori Park hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
How to get there: Ohori Park is a few steps from Ohorikoen Station
3. Visit Shofukuji Temple
Recognized as the oldest Zen temple in Japan, Shofukuji Temple is guarded by Sanmon Gate. Through the grand gate, added in 1911, visitors will find walking paths that lead guests around the temple complex. Shofukuji Temple was established in 1195 with the purpose of establishing Zen Buddhism in Japan. Many of the buildings have been destroyed by fire and later rebuilt, but the grounds maintain their historic feel.
Hours: Shofukuji Temple is open 24 hours a day
How to get there: The temple is a three-minute walk from Gion Station
4. Explore Momochi Seaside Park
Families with children will love a day at Momochi Seaside Park. This modern waterfront area located in Hakata Bay offers lots of outdoor activities, museums, beaches, restaurants and shopping.
Things to do in Momochi
- Fukuoka Tower – enjoy a panoramic view of the city and bay area from this landmark tower on the coast.
-
Momochihama Beach – this kilometer stretch of artificial beach is packed with restaurants and coffee shops. Visitors can view Marizon, the city’s luxury wedding venue, and catch a ferry to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park across the bay.
-
Fukuoka City Museum – discover Fukuoka’s history and significance in Japan’s relationship with neighboring Asian countries.
5. Enjoy Japanese cuisine at Food Stalls (Yatai)
Nakasu Island is a unique island situated in the center of Fukuoka, and on the island is where visitors will find Food Stalls (Yatai). The outdoor street food haven is home to about 20 yatai, or small restaurants, that serve up some of the best Japanese food in Fukuoka. Foodies and hungry travelers can sit down to a hot bowl of Hakata ramen, a specialty found only in Fukuoka, steaming plates of yakitori and traditional oden (fish cake skewers). Thirsty travelers can even find beer and cocktails in the area, as most stalls are open from about 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and the street is somewhat popular for its nightlife.
Where to stay in Fukuoka
Fukuoka is a large city but is rather compact and easy to navigate. All areas are connected by train, but a few neighborhoods will put you within walking distance of some of Fukuoka‘s best attractions.
Tenjin
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Fukuoka is Tenjin, which is considered the downtown core of the city. The area is home to Tenjin Central Park and Fukuoka Prefectural Art Museum, and Natural Hot Springs Tenjin Yunohana is just down the road.
Check In to Hotel WBF Fukuoka Tenjin Minami, Step Out to Tenjin
Hakata
Hakata Ward sits across the river from Tenjin. The neighborhood is loved for its traditional feel, and tourists can catch kabuki shows, Japanese handicrafts and plenty of Hakata ramen noodle shops.
Check In to The Gate Hostel fukuoka, Step Out to Hakata
Nishijin Station
The neighborhood near Nishijin Station gives tourists easy access to Fukuoka Tower and Momochi Seaside Park. This area also is known as one of Fukuoka‘s top shopping spots.
Check In to Hotel Sunline Fukuoka Ohori, Step Out to Nishijin Station
Yakuin Station
The area around Yakuin Station is particularly popular with the younger, creative crowd looking for art, unique cafes and coffee shops. This neighborhood is next to Tenjin.
Check In to Plaza Hotel Tenjin, Step Out to Yakuin Station
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