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Fukuoka

Fukuoka (福岡) is the capital of Fukuoka prefecture and the largest city on the island of Kyushu. Fukuoka is a good starting point for first-time visitors to Japan. As a historic port city, Fukuoka is more welcoming of foreigners than other parts of Japan, and has significant numbers of residents and tourists from abroad, particularly from China and Korea.

See
24
Do
8
Eat
16
Drink
6
Buy
11

8 places match

  1. Do

    Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball

    Winning the Japan Series seven times between 2011 and 2020, the Hawks was undoubtedly Japan's strongest team in the 2010s. Check out a baseball game at the Fukuoka PayPay Dome, which is about 15 min walking distance from Tōjinmachi subway station. Ticket prices vary by day, but you can get an outfield unreserved seat from ¥1,000.

  2. Do

    Kabuki theatre

    Hakata-za

    An experience worth checking out. Check times and prices at the Hakata-za near Nakasu. If you don't want to stay for the whole show, or don't have so much money to spend, you can watch part of a show for about ¥800; see here for details. Half price student/young (~25) adult tickets may be available day of performance to be released 20 minutes prior to the show; see here for details.

  3. Do

    Momochihama

    A stretch of beach where visitors can enjoy a bit of swimming and sun. While the water isn't as clean as the waters further west and east in Fukuoka, you can still take a refreshing dip. There are a few lovely patio restaurants and bars which are an ideal location to watch the sun set. The area behind the Seahawk Hotel is good. It's less crowded during the summer.

  4. Do

    Noh theatre

    A cultural experience that some may not want to miss. There is a Noh theatre in Ohori Koen. Many of the performances are free, get more information at the Rainbow Plaza (IMS building 8th floor). Don't worry, if you fall asleep during the play, it's almost expected. It's all part of the Noh experience.

  5. Do

    Nokonoshima

    能古島

    A small (about 12 km around) island in the middle of Hakata Bay and offers some splendid hiking, swimming, and camping. It is easily reached by a 10-minute ferry ride from the Meinohama Port. The ferry departs every hour usually at 15 minutes past the hour from 05:15 in the morning to 23:00 at night, with service every half hour during the morning and evening rush (07:15-08:15 and 17:15-18:45).

    ¥230 one way, ¥460 round trip

  6. Do Not mapped

    Hakata Dontaku

    博多どんたく

    Japan's largest festival, drawing well over 2 million people during the Golden Week holidays. The name "Dontaku" comes from Dutch "zondag" meaning Sunday. The festival features traditional dance.

    May 3–4, with a pre-ceremony on May 2

  7. Do Not mapped

    Hakata Gion Yamakasa

    博多祇園山笠

    Fukuoka's second-largest festival, drawing up to a million spectators, is famous for the Oiyama parade float race. The elaborately-decorated yamakasa floats, around 5 m tall and weighing up to, have no wheels; they're picked up and carried by teams of loincloth-clad men, each team representing one of the seven historic districts of Hakata. The race takes place on July 15; teams line up around 01:00, and at 04:59, drums signal teams to begin in 5-minute intervals. The 5-kilometer race takes about half an hour for the fastest teams. Much larger kazariyama floats, which are up to 13 m tall, are on display at street corners across the city, and are displayed indoors for the remainder of the year.

    July 1–15

  8. Do Not mapped

    Nokonoshima Island Park

    Has several well manicured gardens and fields of flowers that vary by the season.

    ¥1500