12 Best Tourist Attractions in Fukuoka

Certainly one of japan's biggest towns, fukuoka is the executive, monetary, and cultural middle of the southernmost island of kyushu and is one of the country's maximum innovative cities.

Positioned in hakata bay, fukuoka is split in two by the river naka, with hakata, the older eastern a part of the metropolis, serving as an vital port and industrial center.

The once fortified city grew in significance throughout the 17th century, and after amalgamation with hakata in 1889 became an important cultural middle.

Nowadays, fukuoka is a tourism warm spot that is domestic to severa quality museums, artwork galleries, and theaters, in addition to outstanding locations to consume.

The metropolis additionally hosts many expert carrying events and festivals, maximum drastically the famous hakata gion yamakasa, a -week long, seven-hundred-year-vintage celebration held every july, which includes colorful parades, conventional races, and costumes, along with musical offerings.

Fukuoka additionally gives many thrilling buying and dining opportunities, specially in canal city hakata, a city-inside-a-metropolis complete with a waterway running through a complicated of motels, eating places, arcades, cinemas, a theater, 250 stores, and other fun activities.

Examine more about the excellent locations to visit within the city with our list of the pinnacle traveller points of interest in fukuoka.

Top Tourist Attractions in Fukuoka

1. Dazaifu tenman-gū

Dazaifu tenman-gū, dedicated to the god of schooling, is every other of fukuoka's widely recognized shrines. Unfold across 3,000 acres, it is also one of the town's largest, and is specially popular with college students trying to bypass exams, often visible shopping small timber prayer drugs to deposit at the shrine.

The most important of its many systems is the honden, or foremost shrine, originating from ad 905 and changed frequently thru the centuries, with the current structure courting from 1591. The site is also amazing for its severa smaller shrines together with the treasury in which a lot of its maximum vital relics are kept.

Additionally of be aware are its appealing gardens, ponds, and bridges, as well as its extra than 6,000 plum bushes.

Address: 4-7-1 dazaifu, saifu, hakata, fukuoka prefecture 818-0195

2. ōhori park

Fukuoka boasts some of large public parks worth exploring. One of the most popular is ōhori park (ōhori-okayōen), a designated region of scenic splendor just a few minutes' stroll from the town center.

Taking its call from the massive guy-made lake around which it is focused - once the moat of fukuoka fortress - this astounding water park became hooked up in 1929 and is a pleasure to explore.

Highlights consist of a trail that circles the lake, lovely conventional jap gardens, stunning cherry blossoms each spring, along side some of bridges and promenades leading over the water to old fashioned islands, a specific deal with at night time whilst these walkways and the park's many pagodas and pavilions are lit up (strive to devise your visit for the marvelous fireworks shows held in august).

Any other green space really worth exploring is maizuru park, a part of the previous fukuoka fortress grounds and domestic to a number of sports activities centers and an art museum.

3. Nanzoin temple and the reclining buddha 

Simply 15 kilometers east of fukuoka is the nanzoin temple, one of the prefecture's most visited (and most essential) buddhist shrines, attracting more than a million pilgrims and site visitors yearly.

The massive draw right here is surely the big bronze statue of the reclining buddha, erected in 1995 and said to be the largest bronze statue in the international (if the statue of liberty in ny had been laid down beside it, the buddha would be longer).

 As thrilling as the temple and statue is the first-rate walk to the web site along a shady hillside trail from the quaint village of sasaguri, a direction this is sincerely marked and great for its many smaller statues of buddha, as well as its picturesque streams, bridges, and gardens.

 Additionally well worth a visit is the well-known wooden buddha at tōchō-ji, the oldest shingon temple in kyushu (it became based in advert 806).

4. Fukuoka fortress

On occasion also known as maizuru castle, fukuoka fort (fukuoka-jō) is a fine instance of the type of lavish 17th-century hilltop home as soon as favored by way of the us of a's ruling elite.

At the same time as the big final structure is most effective a small fraction of the original castle's as soon as big complicated - it is believed to have covered an area of a few forty seven,000 rectangular meters - it stays an excellent web site, perched excessive atop a tall stone foundation overlooking the naka river.

Highlights of a go to encompass exploring some of the original castle gates, turrets, and towers within the widespread castle grounds (lots of it now part of maizuru park), in addition to the ruins of an excellent older guesthouse as soon as used for travelling diplomats, the simplest one of its kind in japan.

A first-rate time to visit is the primary week of april during the fukuoka citadel sakura pageant, famous across the u . S . For its presentations of more than 1,000 cherry blossoms. And if time allows, make sure to make a go back visit to the fort and its grounds after nightfall - the illuminations are astounding.

5. Sumiyoshi-jinja shrine

One of the oldest such websites on kyushu, the sumiyoshi-jinja shrine is, like its counterpart in osaka, committed to the protecting divinities of seafarers, the remaining of a series of such shrines sailors could visit before heading out to sea.

Specifically wonderful is the main hall, rebuilt in its current classical fashion in 1623, at the side of a number of crucial country wide treasures, most notably an historic sword and a copper awl, along with antique manuscripts and files relationship returned to the center ages.

From the shrine, that's surrounded with the aid of a large grove of japanese cedars and camphor trees, are pleasant perspectives over the river naka. Make certain to allow plenty of time to additionally discover the adjoining sumiyoshi park.

Warm tip: try to time your go to to coincide with one of the shrine's conventional theater performances. Also of interest is a festival held in october that includes displays of sumo wrestling.

6. Kyūshū country wide museum

Opened in 2005, kyūshū countrywide museum (kyūshū kokuritsu hakubutsukan) made headlines no longer most effective for its award-triumphing architectural design, however also as japan's first new national museum in more than 100 years.

Built to residence a big publicly owned series of art and traditionally essential artifacts related to the island's rich records, this cutting-edge facility can effortlessly occupy visitors for the great a part of a day. Highlights consist of shows of prehistoric relics determined in severa archaeological digs, in addition to well-knownshows tracing the lengthy history of the island's significance as a trading link between japan and close by china and korea.

Additionally on show are some of important national treasures, inclusive of 15th-century artwork by leading japanese artist masanobu kano, at the side of many traditionally huge files and manuscripts. The museum additionally hosts a café, eating place, and a nicely-stocked shop.

7. Kushida-jinja shrine 

One in every of japan's first-rate recognised (and fukuoka's oldest) shinto shrines, kushida-jinja

Changed into founded in ad 757 and includes many particular capabilities, along with exceptional carvings of the chinese language zodiac and a gingko tree said to be more than 1,000 years old.

The shrine is likewise famous for website hosting the hakata gion yamakasa each july, a outstanding -week pageant specializing in prayers for good fitness and prosperity that consists of an intricate race involving groups carrying heavy wood floats from the temple to numerous places around the metropolis.

Different temples of interest are the shōfuku-ji temple, the oldest zen temple in japan based in 1195, and the tochoji temple, based in ad 806 and referred to for having the largest wooden statue in japan. Other highlights include the tombs of the lords of the kuroda clan, local feudal lords considering the fact that 1600.

Deal with: 1-forty one, kamikawabata-machi, hakata-ku, fukuoka

8. Hakata machiya folks museum

Housed in one of the city's few surviving buildings from the meiji technology of the late 19th and early twentieth centuries, the hakata machiya people museum is a amusing diversion determined in fukuoka's hakata district.

Further to its many shows of neighborhood crafts, this captivating appeal gives travelers a completely unique perception into japanese lifestyle and way of life. In addition to watching those artisans at work, visitors can join in, gaining first-hand revel in of such historical artwork forms as calligraphy and origami.

Additionally amusing, specifically for children, is the hazard to get dressed in conventional japanese clothes and masks and participate in a spread of ceremonies inclusive of serving tea. The museum also houses a number of presentations regarding hakata's many crucial gala's, as well as a ridicule-up of the house of a typical service provider family.

9. Marine global uminonakamichi

Housed in a massive, sea-shell-fashioned present day constructing near the waterfront of hakata bay, marine global uminonakamichi (marin-wārudō-uminonakamichi) is an wonderful manner to research extra about kyushu's ample marine life.

 Containing a few 70 tanks, the biggest of which houses extra than 20,000 creatures, the aquarium boasts numerous species of neighborhood heat water fish, as well as more than 100 sharks swimming freely in its massive panoramic water tank.

 Different species encompass a massive series of marine mammals, consisting of seals and sea lions, as well as a number of playful sea otters. Be sure to live for one of the animal indicates inside the on-site marine theater, which include the a laugh dolphin and sea lion show.

Afterwards, spend a little time exploring the surrounding uminonakamichi seashore park, famous for its presentations of seasonal flora and wild plus home animals (for introduced a laugh, take the ferry to the park). If touring with youngsters, you may wish to feature on a go to to fukuoka municipal zoo and botanical lawn, which gives an expansion of animal viewing studies.

10. Fukuoka artwork museum

The fukuoka art museum (fukuoka-shi bijutsukan) functions a huge collection of jap art work and crafts, in conjunction with pre-current korean arts and crafts and many crucial western artistic endeavors and prints.

The museum also boasts an intensive series of historical persian glassware in conjunction with chinese, korean, and japanese paintings and carried out arts. One of the museum's most vital modern works is salvador dalí's the madonna of port lligat, and works by means of andy warhol and current jap artists which include fujino kazutomo are on view.

 English language excursions are available. (editor's note: this should-see museum is reopening march 2019 after widespread preservation.)

11. Fukuoka tower

As with so many of japan's larger towns, fukuoka boasts an iconic tower structure that offers visitors first-rate perspectives over the surrounding location. Constructed in 1989 and overlooking hakata bay, fukuoka tower stands 234 meters tall and holds the file because the usa's tallest beach tower.

Highlights of a visit encompass spending time in the tower's highest commentary deck (it has three) with its breathtaking 360-diploma views over the city, which might be even extra marvelous at sundown.

 Afterwards, be sure to spend a touch time taking part in the illuminations, whilst the tower - sheathed in eight,000 1/2 mirrors - is spectacularly lit up with displays, which include swimming fish or the milky manner.

12. Fukuoka's meals markets

A first-rate manner to revel in any visitor destination is to discover the locations wherein the locals shop. Fukuoka isn't any exception and gives an expansion of outstanding meals markets worth experiencing.

The maximum famous is yanagibashi market, regarded locally as "hakata's kitchen" for its many awesome meals carriers and clean produce stalls. Also really worth a visit is the nagahama seafood marketplace.

Read: 10+ Best Tourist Attractions in Hiroshima

Wherein to stay in fukuoka for sightseeing

We endorse these excellent lodges near stores, restaurants, and sights in fukuoka:

• Motel nikko fukuoka: 4-big name luxurious, close to hakata station, quite huge rooms, incredible concierge body of workers, indoor pool.
• Motel okura fukuoka: lower priced luxurious, remarkable area, fitness center with indoor heated pool.
• Richmond motel fukuoka tenjin: mid-variety pricing, close to tenjin station, easy current rooms, buffet breakfast, multilingual group of workers.
• The b hakata: budget motel, handy vicinity, compact rooms, secure beds.

Tips and excursions: the way to make the most of your go to to fukuoka

• Family fun: fukuoka gives many amusing activities for those journeying with more youthful youngsters. In addition to the numerous attractions noted above, kids will enjoy other sports, inclusive of paying a go to to the fukuoka anpanman kid's museum, extraordinary for its fun collection of toys associated with famous cartoon man or woman anpanman, together with its interactive displays and shows. Another interesting eastern character-driven location is kashii kaen sylvania lawn, providing amusing activities and indicates based around a own family of rabbits and their squirrel pals.

Extra associated articles

Super day trips from fukuoka: although fukuoka is placed on japan's southern island of kyushu, the island is joined to the mainland via bridge - a reality that opens up numerous amusing day trip ideas.

One of the maximum famous is taking the bullet train to hiroshima, well-known for its peace memorial park and plenty of shrines and temples. Any other option is hopping aboard an easy home flight to explore the attractions of ancient kyoto, possibly the satisfactory preserved historic city in the u . S ..

Japan vacation ideas: there are surely no shortage of extraordinary excursion possibilities in japan. Those unafraid to discover massive cities need to keep in mind seeing the highlights of tokyo, the kingdom's capital.

 Right here, you'll be spoiled for preference of fun things to look and do, from buying to eating, to pampering in luxurious spas and inns, to spending time exploring the city's infinite factors of interest. It is also a first-rate jumping-off factor to peer the united states of america's most iconic natural landmark: mount fuji.