Fukuoka Essentials: Your Map to the Must-See Sights

Fukuoka is a vibrant city on the island of Kyushu, known for its rich blend of modern attractions and traditional charm. From its bustling shopping districts and historic temples to its picturesque parks and scenic coastal views, Fukuoka offers something for everyone. This free guide provides a snapshot of what you can explore in Fukuoka, including must-visit landmarks, dining spots, and hidden gems. For a more in-depth experience, check out my detailed paid guides. Here is how to spend 3 days in Fukuoka Guide! 🌟

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Day 1

9:00 - 10:30

The best place to start exploring Fukuoka is Hakata Station! This is the largest station in the city, serving as a major hub for high-speed trains to almost any destination in Japan. It’s especially beautiful during the winter season when the city is decorated for Christmas.

Hakata Station

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Start your day with a walk from the largest station in Fukuoka and on Kyushu Island—Hakata Station. Inside, there are numerous shops with local food, as well as an entire "ramen street." On the roof, there's an observation deck and a small garden.

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Tochoji Temple

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Visit Tochoji Temple, known for its impressive Great Buddha statue and beautiful five-story pagoda. The temple, founded in 806 by the monk Kukai, is one of Fukuoka's most important historical sites.

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Kushida Shrine

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Just a 10-minute walk away is another famous temple—Kushida Shrine. This shrine is renowned for its annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, featuring large, decorated floats. Kushida Shrine is a symbol of Fukuoka's cultural heritage, with beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for a stroll.

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10:30 - 12:00

You can walk from Kushida Shrine to Hakata Port in 20 minutes or take a bus. From this port, ferries not only depart to nearby islands but also to Korea!

Hakata Toyoichi (Bayside Place Hakata)

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At Hakata Port, you can have lunch with fresh sushi! In this café, sushi is served buffet-style—you can take as many different kinds of sushi as you like and then pay for them at the register. This is a very popular spot, so be prepared for a queue!

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After lunch, you can take a ferry to the Umi-no-Nakamichi Peninsula. Ferries depart at 12:05 or 12:30 to Saitozaki Port.

Saitozaki Ferry Terminal

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From Hakata Port, you can take a ferry to the Umi-no-Nakamichi Peninsula. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased at the ticket office near the port. The ferry departs at 12:05 or 12:30 to Saitozaki Port.

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13:00 - 17:00

On this peninsula, you can have a great time at the aquarium, flower park, and mini zoo, making it a fantastic spot for both families with children and couples.

Marine World

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This is the largest aquarium on Kyushu Island, where you can see local marine life, including Japanese shark species, various fish, and coral.

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Uminaka Line Ferry Terminal

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At this location, you can rent bicycle or kickboard and head to Umi-no-Nakamichi Park. You can read more about prices and rental time at Umi-no-Nakamichi site.

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Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

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You can bike through this vast flower park, enjoying incredible views of the city and the sea! Different types of flowers bloom here throughout the year, including cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, sunflowers, and more.

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You can return to the city by bus or the same ferry from Saitozaki. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Uminaka Line Ferry Terminal to Momochi Beach. The ferry to Momochi departs at 17:35.

Momochi Seaside Park

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In the evening, you can take a walk along Momochi City Beach, where the sunset is particularly beautiful. There are several restaurants nearby where you can enjoy dinner.

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Fukuoka Tower

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Near Momochi Beach is Fukuoka Tower—the third tallest TV tower in Japan. It offers panoramic views of the city that are stunning both during the day and in the evening. The entrance is open until 21:30.

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Day 2

9:00 - 10:00

Ohori Park

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Ohori Park is an oasis in the heart of the city! It's a favorite spot for locals to take walks, go for morning runs, and have dates. Inside the park, there are several cafés where you can enjoy coffee or tea to your taste.

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&LOCALS Ohori Park Shop

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This café inside the park serves local teas from Yame, locally brewed beer and sake, as well as Japanese desserts and light snacks.

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Fukuoka Castle Ruins

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Unfortunately, only a small portion of Fukuoka Castle remains today. However, it's a piece of the city's history worth visiting! From the castle ruins, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

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Keyaki Dori

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From the castle ruins, Keiyaki Street leads to the city center. Named after the Japanese keyaki tree, this street is lined with charming cafés and shops offering clothing, kitchenware, and home decor items.

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Blue Bottle Coffee

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A Blue Bottle café with a great view of Kego Park and the nearby temple.

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11:00 - 15:00

Not far from Fukuoka City is Dazaifu, which is definitely worth a visit! The most convenient way to get there is from Nishitetsu Tenjin Station.

Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station

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From this station, it's convenient to reach Dazaifu Shrine by regular train. The journey takes 40 minutes and is much more comfortable than traveling by bus.

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Dazaifu Tenmangu太宰府天満宮

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From Dazaifu Station, you can walk along the market street to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the patron of scholars and students. It's renowned for its beautiful vermilion gates, serene gardens, and seasonal festivals.

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Enmusubi Soba 縁結び食堂なみ満

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For lunch, I recommend visiting this restaurant, which serves soba noodles. You can choose between warm or cold noodles, making it a great dish for both cold and hot seasons!

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Kyushu National Museum

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This museum hosts a variety of exhibitions focused on the history and culture of Japan and the Kyushu region. Recently, it featured an exhibition on samurai swords!

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Kamado Shrine

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If you're a fan of the anime Demon Slayer, Kamado Shrine is nearby! Fans of the anime enjoy decorating the "ema" wish tablets with themed designs. I recommend taking the bus from Dazaifu Station to visit this shrine.

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16:00 - 19:00

Acros Fukuoka

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Upon returning to Fukuoka, from Nishitetsu Tenjin Station, you can walk to the ACROS Fukuoka building. The roof of this building features a real living forest.

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Fuku-Haku Deai Bridge

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In the evening, this part of the city has a special atmosphere! The bridges and buildings are illuminated, creating a beautiful nightscape.

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Food Stalls (Yatai)

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From 6 p.m., street food stalls called "yatai" line the river. Here, you can try ramen, gyoza, yakitori, and other Japanese dishes, and enjoy interacting with locals in a relaxed atmosphere.

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CANAL CITY HAKATA

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This is a shopping center with a unique design and one of Fukuoka's landmarks! You can find shops with Studio Ghibli souvenirs, Japanese clothing brands, and even a Ichiran ramen restaurant. You can also catch fountain and light shows held in honor of certain festivals.

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Day 3

9:00 - 14:00

Nokonoshima Island is often overlooked, but it's a charming place to visit. It offers not only beautiful flowers but also a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of post-war Japan from the Showa era.

Meinohama Ferry Passenger Terminal

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Start your day with an exciting trip to Nokonoshima Island! Ferries depart from this terminal once an hour, so be sure to check the schedule in advance. You can purchase tickets from a machine using cash or a card.

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Nokonoshima Island

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Nokonoshima is the closest island to Fukuoka, just a 10-minute ferry ride away. It’s renowned for its flower park, scenic sea views, and a quaint retro town that feels like it’s from the Showa era.

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Nokonoshima Island Park

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This park is located at the top of the island, offering a beautiful view of Fukuoka! You can reach the park by taking a bus from the port terminal. The bus to and from the park runs once an hour, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule in advance.

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Noko Burger のこバーガー

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A local small burger joint where you can grab a bite. Although the burgers are not cheap (around 800 yen), they are made with fresh local vegetables.

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Nagahama Ramen 長浜ラーメン

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Another great lunch option is ramen! This ramen shop near the port serves tonkotsu ramen, a pork bone broth ramen that Fukuoka is famous for.

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teamLab Forest Fukuoka

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This digital museum by the Japanese creators TeamLab impresses with its interactive installations! Tickets can be purchased online in advance or on-site.

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Have a nice trip!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Viktoriia Kawabata

Available for hire

Hello! My name is Viktoriia. I have been living in Japan 🇯🇵since 2012 and love to explore this country. ✨My guides feature a lot of hidden gems and will help you see this country through the eyes of locals! I am originally from Odesa, Ukraine, but I have lived in Tokyo for the last 11 years and in Fukuoka for 2 years. In my guides, you'll find: ⛩️Japanese Traditional and Modern Architecture (as an architecture graduate, I can't stop talking about architecture and design!) 🎨 Art Galleries ☕️ Local Coffee and Tea Shops 🍜 Ramen Shops 🍣 Sushi and Fish Markets 🎋 Hidden Shrines and Temples ♨️ Onsen Hot Springs (for people with tattoos or couples!) 🏔️ Hiking areas (for begginers like me!) 🌸 Seasonal events I also run a channel about life in Japan called ToriChyanChannel for those who want to learn more about this country from the inside! If you need any help with planning your trip to Japan, I'm here to help!

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