Things to do

The Complete List Of 20 Things To Do In Fukuoka, Japan

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Fukuoka is one of the most populous cities situated on Kyushu Island in Japan. It is remembered for its tasty Hakata ramen and its historical past.

Fukuoka City boasts contemporary structures such as Fukuoka Tower and central parks such as Ohori Park. It also houses famous places like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and observes traditional festivals like the Hakata Gion Yamakasa.

Therefore, a positively charged environment, natural sights, and various opportunities make Fukuoka an interesting city for traveling. Here is a list of the best things to do in Fukuoka:

1. Get A Bird's Eye View of The City From Fukuoka Tower

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This is the biggest seaside tower in Japan with a maximum height of 234 metres. It has a triangular prismatic structure and features stunning views of the city and the region.

On reaching the observation deck you can have a spectacular view of Fukuoka city, the blue sea, and even the mountains in the near distance if the day is clear. The tower also glows at night.

Take a photo; it seems like a gorgeous fairy tale picture. It doesn't matter whether you are visiting alone or without some company, Fukuoka Tower is an answer to what to do in Fukuoka. Moreover, climbing the tower provides an opportunity to watch the city from above.

2. Wander Around Ohori Park

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One of the most fantastic and tranquil parks to be visited. It was constructed with a large pond in the middle that used to be part of the castle moat in Fukuoka.

In Japanese, the name Ohori is translated to something like a large moat. This is a lovely place to take a walk. It has a beautiful trail for walking that encircles the pond. You can also hire bikes on pedals for water cycling in the lake for more experience on water adventures.

For tourist attractions, the park offers the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Japanese Garden to those with an interest in the history and culture of the place. The Japanese Garden is characterized by conventional Japanese landscaping that includes ponds, bridges, and tea facilities.

3. Peaceful Escape To Tochoji Temple

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This is a peaceful and beautiful landscape Buddhist temple in the city center. There is a wooden Buddha statue on the upper floor with entrance fees of approximately 50 yen.

At the base of the statue to its left side, an entrance lets you to a small museum. Alongside is a story of the abyss of hell. Before you exit, there is a passage with total darkness to test yourself to find enlightenment at the exit.

The main entrance area with the zen garden brings such a peaceful escape. If you walk toward the pagoda area, there will be graves of 3 shoguns. Photography is prohibited in the Buddha statue area.

4. Join One of The Fukuoka Bus Tour

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The most commonly used ride is the Fukuoka Open Top Bus. It is a double-decker, open-air bus offering three main routes; Seaside Momochi Course, Downtown Hakata Course, and Fukuoka Sparkling Night Course.

On the Seaside Momochi Course, you can see the Fukuoka PayPay Dome and Fukuoka Tower, and enjoy the view of the sea. The Downtown Hakata Course will let you explore places such as the Kushida Shrine and Fukuoka Castle Ruins.

If you feel like night sightseeing then, the Fukuoka Sparkling Night Course is the best choice which includes roaming around this Japanese city at night. Don't forget to explore these Fukuoka things to do.

5. Explore Hakata's Shopping Arcades

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Canal City Hakata is a beautiful mall that has a canal running through it. It is very close to the Kushida Shrine subway station.

The fountain show plays every hour or so, and at night they start playing Gundam light shows that come with interactive gameplay on your mobile phones. The mall layout is generally quite easy to navigate.

There are lots of tax-free stores here, so do bring along your passport if you are going to shop around. The arcade of shops is opposite the complex and near the train station. You will witness amazing bargains, cheap eateries, and a huge variety of clothing stores.

6. Try Hakata Ramen

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Hakata ramen is a type of ramen native to Fukuoka that uses dense, thin noodles and the flavor of some pork bone soup. It is also called tonkotsu ramen, the direct translation of which means pork bones.

There is also a way how you can eat it! If you want more noodles, simply have the kaedama so that you will only get noodles with the remaining soup. You can also decide how hard or soft your noodles should be.

Use the red pickled ginger or spicy leaf mustard to add spices to your meals. A few of the places serving authentic Hakata ramen in Fukuoka are Hakata Ramen Marutan and RAMEN EX Hakata Tenjin.

7. Enjoy French Cuisine and Stunning Spring Views On the Coto Coto Train

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A nice experience to try French food and enjoy the springtime in Fukuoka. It is run by Heisei Chikuho Railway Company and the train takes you through the scenic countryside of Fukuoka on this three and half hour trip.

The train is painted red and has wooden interiors with a stained glass roof. When you move from Nōgata to Yukuhashi, try out French meals which will be prepared from fresh products that can be found in the region.

There are also great views on Coto Coto train tours, especially in Spring when flowers start to bloom and trees are green all around.

8. Spend Family Time At Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

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This is another Fukuoka attractions that is perfect for family activities. You can spend your whole day here until the park is closed.

There are play parks for kids, flower gardens, and a route for cycling and running. You will also come across camping grounds, a forest, a horse riding farm, a hotel, and an aquarium at a nearby location.

Another way to spend a day here is by renting a bike. It costs around 500 yen per person which is considered reasonable. This way you can go everywhere with your bike; just don't forget to stay on the bike lane and park in the designated spots.

9. Take A Ferry Ride To Nokonoshima Island

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Take a bus to Meinohama Ferry terminal to catch the ferry to Noko. The ferry costs 230 yen one way. At the Noko point, you can take a bus shuttle to Island's Park.

There are many attractions at the park. Animal feeding, rope skiing, swings, and sports ground will appeal to the children. Moreover, several flower gardens all over the park, and flowers at different times of the year.

The island also features good choices of food from cafes to restaurants. You can opt for udon noodles or visit restaurants offering BBQ meat. Take the 4:15 pm bus back to the jetty. This trip ensures a good day for the family outing with lots of happy photos.

10. Indulge In Different Entertainment At BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA

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A great multi-functional building with great exhibitions and activities for everyone. There are lots of activities here together with a food court.

You will find Teamlab, Sanrio shop, HKT theater, VR arcade, and baseball experience zone, amongst others! Many people visit the Team Lab forest, which is one of their star attractions.

Along with the lab forest, you will also find the Sanrio Dreaming Park. Wall climbing is another attraction that provides a thrilling experience. You can purchase tickets onsite and there is no hurry to buy beforehand. Thus, this facility should be added to your list of things to do in Fukuoka Japan.

11. Join The Yanagawa Hina Matsuri: Sagemon Tour

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A specialized and colorful event that takes place in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, from 11 February until 3rd April. This festival observes Girls' Day or Hinamatsuri with lots of colorful activities for sixty days.

One of the most attractive attractions of the festival refers to the Sagemon tour where you will be able to enjoy various Sagemon decorations. These are special hanging ornaments made from scraps of fabric, which contain wishes for the healthy development and happiness of girls.

There is also the Ohina-sama Water Parade that is part of the festival's program. Here children dressed nicely steer Hina dolls and go on a Sagemon boat ride through the Canals of the city.

12. A Day Trip To Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

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A great half-day trip just a short train ride from Fukuoka City. It is a pretty interesting shrine with lots of places to explore. The garden on the front overhand at one of the main buildings is a must-see.

The shrine is not too crowded on Monday but not nearly empty either. The sprawling place attracts a lot of tourists. Some shops lead up to the entrance of the shrine.

You will see various sacred cow statues everywhere. There are also many places to take pictures such as the arched bridge over the pond. If you keep walking past the temple area, other pathways take you up to different shrines which are less crowded.

13. Relax And Enjoy Sunset From Momochi Seaside Park

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A good choice for leisure in the Fukuoka Hakata area. The beach is clean, and the water is calm. Locals freely swim in the area and some groups bring food to celebrate.

There is no entrance fee and there are lots of restrooms and restaurants in an area accessible by the beach. The beach is just a few-minute walk from bus stations and near the Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka Public Library, and Fukuoka Museum.

It is recommended for observing the sunset because it is located in the west of the Kyushu island of Japan. But in case you would like to take your loved ones out on a dinner date, then this place is most advisable.

14. See The Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones

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Itoshika City's Sakurai Futamigaura is one of the mythical destinations famous for its beautiful white torii gate shimmering through the blue sea.

The pair of rocks standing just off the shore near the gate is thought to resemble a married couple, so view it as a symbol of marriage and happiness in wedded life. The two rocks are connected with a large, holy rope called a "shimenawa," which is used in shrines and has a mass of 1t.

The stones also look quite different depending on the time of the day and the season in particular. They look best during the so-called blue hour; a few minutes after sunset when the light between them and the sky is blue.

15. Witness Animal Shows At Marine World Uminonakamichi

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A small but nice aquarium with fun dolphin and seal shows. The Marine World Uminonakamichi is well-maintained with various marine exhibits that provide both entertainment and education.

The highlight is their shows with dolphins and seals. The trainers demonstrated an impressive bond with the dolphins and seals showcasing their intelligence and agility through a series of amazing tricks.

Moreover, the main fish tank is worth staring at and the skeletal display of the monster fish is pretty interesting. If you are hungry, look for a small cafe and a gift shop in the lobby, and a full-service restaurant in the basement.

16. Take The Sarakurayama Cable Car Ride

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The journey to the top of the 622m Mt. Sarakura only takes about 10 minutes. The first part is a cable-hauled funicular railway and the last couple of hundred meters is via a 'slope car' monorail.

The fare is Yen 1,200 for the roundtrip on the two cars and tickets are obtained from a machine. On a sunny clear day, you get a panoramic view of Kitakyushu City, Kokura, the Kanmon Strait, and Kanmon Bridge.

On your way back, try walking to Yahata Station; it is only about 2km. If you have remaining time for exploration, visit the nearby Higashida Steel Blast Furnace; an interesting industrial archeology site, and the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History for a tremendous collection of dinosaur skeletons.

17. Take Your Kids To Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden

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The Fukuoka Zoo offers free admission to children and the fees for accompanying adults are also affordable. The zoo is spacious and has a lot to see. There is a wide variety of animals and the layout is suitable for walking.

The botanical garden is attached to the zoo. The garden is very big with bungalows allowing travelers to stay overnight with advanced booking. Even for a day trip, it's a nice place for families with elderly and small kids.

Spending a few hours here is one of the things to do at Fukuoka. You can buy cute souvenirs including animal-themed stickers and stuffed animals at the gift shop. This place is easily accessible from Yakuin-odour station by bus or walking 15 minutes.

18. Watch A Game or Concert At FUKUOKA PayPay Dome

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A huge open/ indoor stadium ideal for seeing a concert or a baseball game. The dome is home to FUKUOKA SoftBank HAWKS and has a seating capacity of over 40,000.

There are many food courts inside the stadium and the food is good. The staff is kind and ordering food is not that difficult; you can explain with pictures.

It is great to see that many people wear the replica jerseys of their favorite players and support their team. Moreover, before the game starts, people stand up and sing their national anthem with respect. Overall, it is one of the great places to visit in Fukuoka to be within the crowd and enjoy games or shows.

19. Explore the Natural Wonders of Fukuoka at the Goya Limestone Cave

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The Goya Limestone Cave is found in the Natsuyoshi district of Tagawa City, which is about a 90-minute drive from Fukuoka. It is a little drive, but it is crucial to make the effort to visit this natural beauty.

This cave is built from limestone rock with the help of underground water activities and looks beautiful from the inside. It has been ranked as a natural monument of Fukuoka prefecture.

One interesting thing that you can do here is the discovery course; it is about 170 meters. There are eroded waves other notches and other limestone that is remarkable to see. Entry is free and one can activate the lights as they move inside the cave.

20. Observe The Traditional Mekari Shinji Ritual

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Mekari Shinji is truly an Ancient Shinto Ritual for Bountiful Seas. Located at the end of Kyushu's northern part is coastal Kitakyushu where the Hasama Shrine stands, majestically overlooking the Kanmon Strait.

It maintains the Mekari Shinji which has been practiced for more than 1800 years after the establishment of the shrine. Each year from late January to mid-February, three Shinto priests wearing sacred garments wade into the frigid sea at low tide between 2:30 AM and 4:00 AM.

They cultivate wakame seaweed to pray for their safe sea travel and bountiful yield. In the year 2025, the ritual is said to be held on the 29th of January.