Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu, Japan's south-western island, and one of the country's best places to eat. Two days is enough for the main sights: one day for the city, with its ramen, riverside food stalls and parks, and a second for the shrine town of Dazaifu, half an hour away. The city is compact, the airport is minutes from the centre, and the pace is easier than Tokyo or Osaka.
Getting there
Fukuoka Airport is only two subway stops, about five minutes, from Hakata Station. By train, the shinkansen from Osaka takes about two and a half hours and from Hiroshima about one hour. The city has two centres: Hakata, around the station, and Tenjin, the shopping district, linked by subway in a few minutes.
Day 1: The city
- Kushida Shrine. The home shrine of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, with one of the tall festival floats on display all year.
- Canal City and Nakasu. A large shopping complex built around a canal, beside the Nakasu entertainment district on its island in the river.
- Ohori Park. A large pond with a walking path around it and a Japanese garden beside it, near the ruins of Fukuoka Castle.
- Hakata ramen for lunch. Thin noodles in a rich pork-bone broth; you can order an extra serving of noodles for the same soup.
- Yatai in the evening. Open-air food stalls with a handful of seats each, serving ramen, skewers and oden along the river in Nakasu and in Tenjin.
Day 2: Dazaifu
Take the Nishitetsu train from Tenjin to Dazaifu in about thirty minutes, changing at Futsukaichi. Dazaifu Tenmangu is one of Japan's most important shrines, dedicated to the spirit of learning, and students come to pray before exams. Walk the approach street lined with shops selling umegae mochi, a grilled rice cake filled with sweet bean paste, and visit the Kyushu National Museum next door. In late February the shrine's plum trees are in bloom.
Food to try
- Hakata ramen and motsunabe, a hotpot of beef or pork offal with cabbage and garlic chives.
- Mentaiko, spicy salted pollock roe, eaten with rice.
- Mizutaki, a gentle chicken hotpot.
Going further
Fukuoka is the gateway to Kyushu. Nagasaki, Kumamoto and the hot springs of Beppu and Yufuin are each about one and a half to two hours away by train. Our Kyushu region guide shows how they fit together.
FAQ
Is two days enough for Fukuoka? Yes, for the city and a half-day trip to Dazaifu. Add days to see more of Kyushu.
How far is Fukuoka Airport from the city? Very close: about five minutes by subway to Hakata Station.
What food is Fukuoka famous for? Hakata ramen, the yatai food stalls, motsunabe hotpot and mentaiko.
When do the yatai open? Most open from early evening until late at night, and many close in bad weather or one day a week.
Planning Fukuoka and Kyushu for yourself, your family or your clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp or message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090 with your dates and group size, and we will reply within 24 hours. Explera is a destination management company for Japan — IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
