I was at a sushi restaurant in Kanazawa many years ago, chatting with a British traveler, when she engaged me (somewhat out of nowhere) on the topic of Fukuoka. “I’m not even sure if it’s worth visiting,” the young woman explained, noting that she’d only decided to stay in the city (and only for one night) because the cheapest flight to Seoul she could find left from there. “But I’m open to suggestions.”
I talked through a few of my favorite things to do in Fukuoka before passing her my business card, but I also spoke to a larger truth: That Fukuoka is highly underrated, even—and especially—considering it’s one of the largest cities in Japan.
Did she ever end up navigating to my website and reading this article before her Fukuoka trip? I’m not sure, although I hope she did. Regardless, you’re here now—and I’m confident my advice will help you on your way.
Where to Stay in Fukuoka
I’ll get to some of my favorite Fukuoka things to do in just a second, but before that I wanted to breach the important topic of Fukuoka accommodation: Where to stay, both in terms of your location and specific hotels. In general, I would say the closer you can be to Hakata Station (the main rail depot of Fukuoka, as well as the Shinkansen hub of northern Kyushu), the better. Location, location, location!
In terms of individual Fukuoka hotels I recommend, I often stay at Tokyu Stay Hakata, not only due to the location, but the quality of the rooms, the excellent service and even the breakfast (which I typically find underwhelming at hotels in Japan). Other places to stay in Fukuoka include the five-star Miyako Hotel Hakata (for higher-end travelers) and the Fukuoka hostel WeBase Hakata, which budget travelers will love.
My Favorite Things to Do in Fukuoka
Explore the temples of Hakata Gion
Like Kyoto, Fukuoka has a district called Gion. And while it would be inaccurate for me to say that Fukuoka temples like Tocho-ji and Shofoku-ji, as well as the Kushida Shrine, are on par with the classic, timeless sacred sites in Japan’s former capital, they’re nothing to sneeze it. The district’s charm comes through especially clear, given that the majority of Hakata Gion is devoid of tourists, especially when compared to the hordes that haunt the one in Kyoto.
Have a meal at the Fukuoka yatai
It surprised my British acquaintance to learn that one of the best things to do in Fukuoka is to eat—specifically ramen, which is so iconic here that “typical” ramen throughout Japan is known as Hakata ramen. Aren’t in the mood for sumptuous pork broth or handmade noodles? Head instead to the island of Nakasu, just to the west of Gion, where you’ll find a small row of yatai, or food stalls. (Don’t take too much of what I wrote in my piece about the stalls, which focuses mostly on my personal issues, to heart. These are among the best Fukuoka attractions. Trust me!)
Visit Itoshima for sun, surf and shrines
Fukuoka isn’t known as one of Japan’s top beach destinations, but if I’m honest, there are plenty of serviceable beaches near the city center. My favorite of these is probably one in Itoshima, which is about 30 minutes from Hakata Bus Terminal by bus. In particular, I recommend getting off at the “floating” torii of Sakurai Futamigaura Shrine, which has become a popular destination on social media, at least among Asian tourists.
Enjoy the view from Atago Shrine
Speaking of scenic shrines, while a trip to Atago Shrine isn’t a rare inclusion on any Fukuoka travel guide, this outstanding viewpoint is nonetheless so quiet that it’ll feel that way. To get here, whether you’re able to catch sunset or simply enjoy the blue hour setting in, ride the Fukuoka City Subway to Muromi Station, from which Atago-jinja is a 15-minute (but largely uphill) walk.
Take a day trip (or four)
As much as I love Fukuoka’s city center, these day trips from Fukuoka make me happy to leave it behind. An obvious option is to ride the train (specifically the Subway Kuko Line, which at Meinohama Station becomes the JR Chikuhi Line) westward to the castle town of Karatsu, which is located in Saga prefecture. A spot closer to the city (which, as a result, is more of a half-day trip) is Dazaifu Tenmangu, located less than an hour south of Hakata Station by direct bus; the Nanzo-in reclining Buddha, about 30 minutes to the east, is an even quicker excursion.
A fourth option, if you visit Fukuoka in late April or early May, is to venture northeastward to Kawachi Wisteria Garden, near the city of Kokura, although I warn you: This will require you to rent a car!
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How Many Days in Fukuoka Should You Spend?
Assuming you follow my suggestions, more or less, I’d recommend spending between 2-3 days in Fukuoka. This allows you to enjoy at least one full day in the city center, plus take 1-2 day trips. In general, I’d also say that shorter stints in Fukuoka fit better into longer trips to Kyushu, while a long weekend (or even longer) is better if you’re only traveling to Fukuoka during your visit to Japan.
As far as how to structure a Fukuoka itinerary 4 days (or longer)? My first recommendation would be to find an Airbnb property and “live” in the city instead of just camping out there as a tourist. Secondly, I’d suggest digging deeper into Fukuoka neighborhoods, and perhaps visiting secondary sights such as the ruins of Fukuoka Castle and Ohori Park. On the other hand, there’s no such thing as “too long” when it comes to how long to spend in Fukuoka—I’m a big fan of staying a while!
Is Fukuoka Worth Visiting?
As my British friend and I paid our tabs and shook hands goodbye, I wondered whether she would take to heart my advice, not only about what to do in Fukuoka specifically, but my general point: That this underrated Kyushu city is absolutely worth visiting. I guess I’ll find out if she ever emails me to tell me how right I was. Or wrong—as much as I love Fukuoka, I do suppose the city’s not for everyone.
What I will say is that if you follow my suggestions for a Fukuoka itinerary (or, if you don’t have 2-3 days, you adapt them downward according to the amount of time you can spend here), it will exceed your expectations. And it might just leave a nice enough taste in your mouth—the ramen, and otherwise—that you return to the city. (I will say, for what it’s worth, that I enjoyed Fukuoka much more the second time around, and every time after that!)
Other FAQ About Things to Do in Fukuoka
How long is bullet train from Tokyo to Fukuoka?
Riding the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Fukuoka’s Hakata Station takes around 5 hours, assuming you book a seat on the super-fast Nozomi. Note that your journey will take longer if you use the Hikari or Sakura trains, and significantly longer if you take Kodama or Tsubame trains, which stop at all stations.
Does Fukuoka snow?
Although Kyushu is known as a sub-tropical island, Fukuoka does experience snow from time to time. However, while snow tends to fall in Fukuoka at least once per year, accumulation is rare. If you’re traveling in Fukuoka and you see snow on the ground, make sure to take a picture!
Is Fukuoka expensive?
Fukuoka is slightly cheaper than cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but like the rest of Japan is still a rather expensive destination. Basic business hotels cost between $50-100 (~¥8,000-16,000) per night, while simple meals of ramen and those ordered from yatai food stall menus can be enjoyed for around ¥1,000 per person, and in some cases much less. The average couple should budget around ¥70,000 or 500 USD for a long weekend in Fukuoka, not including the cost of flights.
The Bottom Line
Whether you were looking for a complete Fukuoka travel guide or are simply seeking to understand this underrated city better, I have a feeling you’ve found what you’re looking for. A trip to Fukuoka will exceed your expectations, even if all you do here is have a bowl of ramen or explore a temple or two in Hakata Gion. Likewise, Fukuoka makes a great kick-off to your trip to Kyushu, and also works as a standalone city trip, assuming you’re coming from elsewhere in Japan or Asia. Need personalized help integrating Fukuoka into your trip Japan? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today, and let me do the legwork.
