Fukuoka福岡県

Places to seeWhere to go in Fukuoka

Start with the first of these. Each is worth half a day.

Nakasu yatai中洲の屋台

Food stalls along the river, open from early evening until late. Sit at the counter and point.

An evening

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Dazaifu Tenmangu太宰府天満宮

A shrine among 6,000 plum trees, with a street of grilled rice cakes leading up to it.

Half a dayWinter

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Mojiko門司港

A brick port district facing the strait, with ships passing close enough to read their names.

Half a day

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Yanagawa柳川

A town of canals you travel by flat-bottomed boat, poled by a boatman who sings.

Half a dayYou can ride

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Fukuoka Castle ruins福岡城跡

Stone walls and turrets in a park in the middle of the city, with cherry trees along the moat.

2 hoursSpring only

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Nokonoshima能古島

A small island ten minutes by ferry from the city, planted with flowers in blocks by season.

Half a dayYou can ride

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Kokura Castle小倉城

A rebuilt keep beside a river in Kitakyushu, with a garden and a market street next to it.

2 hours

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Itoshima coast糸島

A coast road of small beaches, cafes and a white shrine gate standing in the sea. Best by car.

Half a dayCar needed

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What Fukuoka is

It is the rare Japanese city where the airport is five minutes from the centre by subway. You can land, drop your bag, and be eating within the hour.

What the city is known for is eating outdoors. From early evening, food stalls called yatai open along the river in Nakasu — canvas sides, a counter for eight people, and ramen cooked in front of you. The ramen here, Hakata ramen, is the one the rest of the world copied.

When to comeThe same place, four different places

Pick the season first and the days will arrange themselves.

March – May

Plum blossom at Dazaifu in late February and March, cherry blossom in early April. The best months to be here.

June – August

Rainy in June, and humid after that. The Yamakasa festival fills the city in July.

September – November

Warm, dry and clear. Good walking weather, and the food stalls are at their best.

December – February

Cold but rarely snowy in the city. Ramen weather, and the quietest season for the stalls.

Find it fastEverything in Fukuoka