Fukuoka travel guide

JR Hakata Station

Tenjin area

Canal City Hakata

Located within easy walking distance of JR Hakata Station,

the Hakata temple and shrine district is home to numerous sacred

sites where you can truly immerse yourself in the ambiance of traditional Japanese culture. The deep history of this historic area

dates back to the 7th century, when it flourished alongside Japan’s

cultural and political missions dispatched to China.

Kushida Shrine

One of the most exciting summer festival in Kyushu, Hakata Gion 

Yamagasa is held in the shrine in July. The tall Kazari Yamakasa,

a luxuriously decorated float, is always displaye which was

constructed without using even a single nail.

It is a folk museum depicts the life and culture of Hakata

Fukuoka. Exhibition hall, many faces and facets of the Hakata

way of life can be found, Machiya hall, is a superb example of

traditional architecture and has been moved here and restored to

provide a glimpse into the past.

The Temple was founded in 806 by Kobo-daishi Kukai and it is

the oldest temple of the Shingon sect in Japan that  Kobo-daishi

set up. The Fukuoka Daibutsu called Great Buddha of Fukuoka

completed in 1993 stands 10.8 meters tall and is the largest

seated wooden image of Buddha in Japan.

Kawabata-dori Shopping Street

Japanese traditional Shopping Street and the entrance of the 

shopping street is located next to Kushida Shrine. Approximately

130 shops built in the 400 metre arcade. There are also souvenir

shops including Hakata dolls, shops collected Hakata

Gion Yamakasa goods. ​Enjoy lunch, Hakata Ramen at

the birth place of Nagahama Ramen.

Fukuoka castle, was built in 1601.  Part of stone wall and canal,

and the Tamon tower are still left intact as they were back then. 

There is also a nice view of the city from the former main Parts of

the castle’s former moats were used to construct nearby Ohori

koen Park.

Ohori-koen Park is located next to Fukuoka Castle Ruins and

close to center of Fukuoka City.  The park is complemented by

a Japanese style garden and the Fukuoka City Art Museum.

 Rich in greenery and encircling a lake two kilometers in

circumference, the park is an oasis for city residents, who enjoy jogging, boating, bird watching and other activities here.

One of the largest entertainment districts in western Japan, bustling

at night with young people and business men and women. Around

2000 eating and drinking establishments including Yatai is crammed

in this area, Neon light reflect alluringly on the Naka River.

Food stalls “Yatai”is one thing to enjoy in Fukuoka. Despite a

decline in recent year, there are said to be more than 160.

The food stalls have all kind of food, but you have to try Hakata

ramen, usually made with white soup from pork bone and thin

noodles.

In the middle of Hakata Bay Beautiful flowers can be enjoyable

throughout the year. Rapeseed blossom, Cherry blossom,

Livingstone daisy Poppy, Rhododendro, Marigold, Hydrengea,

Plumed cockscomb, Dahlia, Sunflower, Cockspur coral tree

Bougainvillea, Scarlet sage, Cosmos, Dahlia, Autumn leaves, 

Scarlet sage, Japanese narcissus, Japanese camellia, Plum.

The aquarium focuses on the aquatic life found around Kyushu.

The main tank is a huge, seven meter deep pool filled with all

different kinds of marine life including over 120 sharks of 20

different varieties. There are also several outdoor tanks where

you can experience feeding dolphins and sea lions.

The sprawling, family oriented public park, located on a narrow

peninsula across the bay from central Fukuoka. The park is made

up of several different areas including flower gardens, playgrounds,

an amusement park with ferris wheel, sports fields, a water park,

a zoo and large open spaces and lawns perfect for picnicking.

The Japanese traditional Garden; it was originally built in the 1754

for Kuroda Tsugutaka who was the lord of Fukuoka clan. You can

feel Japanese traditional cultures and enjoy Tea Ceremony.