Fukuoka

Getting to know Fukuoka

Consistently rated one of the world’s most liveable cities, Fukuoka boasts inviting parks and green spaces, spectacular cultural sites, year round festivals and renowned museums and entertainment. The city’s warm, sub-tropical climate only enhances Fukuoka’s playful holiday spirit, bringing a seamless mix of urban chic and relaxed beach spirit to the city. To make it all easy, the excellent public transport system offers a wonderfully convenient way to get out and explore Fukuoka, one of the most modern cities in Japan.

Visitors to Fukuoka will find much to do in the way of holiday entertainment. No matter what the activity, chances are you’ll find lots to spark your interest. Outdoor lovers will enjoy the sun and pleasant surf at Momochi Beach while beautiful urban parks offer up inviting recreational areas with jogging, biking and hiking trails. Ohori Park is one of the most fascinating city parks as it features gorgeous city views, colourful gardens and waterside thoroughfares. Ancient castle ruins dot the park and are open for exploration, offering a fascinating look back at Fukuoka’s rich history.

The city’s main shopping and entertainment district, Tenjin, is a stylish urban landscape filled with big name department stores and famous name brand shops. Impressive developments like Canal City treat shoppers to an amazing retail atmosphere complete with a fountain show. For those interested in art and history, the Fukuoka Art Museum houses an extensive collection of fine Asian art from across the continent with pieces from some of the world’s greatest artists. After exploring all that Fukuoka has to offer, chances are you will have worked up a good appetite, and visitors will soon find that the city is also home to excellent food. Even among the Japanese, Fukuoka is known as the home of Hakata Ramen and the quaint Yatai street stalls. In Fukuoka, a good meal is never far away.

District

Fukuoka is broken up into seven wards with a total population of approximately 1.5 million people.

Chuo-ku is the central ward and administrative centre of the city and where many of the cultural sites and shopping districts can be found. Ohori Park, with its city views and castle ruins is also located in the ward.

Bordering Chuo-ku to the north, Hakata-ku is home to the city’s main rail station and the Fukuoka Airport. For this reason many businesses and corporate headquarters are located here. The ferry terminal to Hakata Harbour is another transport hub for the city and is a major link to the many islands in the region. While Hakata is a hub for business and transport, it is also a centre for music and the arts and has a vibrant social atmosphere.

Things to do

Canal City

Referred to as “the city within the city” Canal City in Hakata is a shopping and entertainment centre filled with retail stores, restaurants and cafes, hotels and cinemas and even a canal with fountain shows. The massive development is an attractive oasis in the heart of the city.

Ohori Park

Considered one of the most beautiful parks in Japan, Ohori is an urban oasis that features stunning city views and peaceful water side walkways. Because of its natural beauty and historic significance as the site of Fukuoka Castle, the park is popular with local residents.

Fukuoka Tower

The twelfth tallest skyscraper in Japan, the stunning needle like structure has three observation decks with the highest being 123 metres above the city. Enjoy a tea or coffee in the observation deck and marvel at the magnificent scenery of the city and harbour below.

Kyushu National Museum

Anyone with an interest in Japanese history and culture will not want to miss the Kyushu National Museum. The museum highlights Japanese culture in the broader context of its place in Asia and demonstrates how other cultures have influenced the country and region as a whole. The museum’s vast permanent collection is actually referred to as the “Cultural Exchange Exhibition” to highlight the influences of other cultures over time.

Accommodations

Fukuoka enjoys a diverse array of hotel and other accommodation choices. Moderately priced guest houses and backpacker hostels can be found in the central city and near the major rail and public transport lines. Fukuoka features trendy capsule hotels. Not only are these cosy little capsules reasonably priced but they offer a fun and interesting way to experience a uniquely Japanese trend.

Luxury accommodation can also be found in the central city as well as near Hakata Bay and Momochi Beach. Enjoy fine restaurants and all the amenities one would expect from a five-star hotel, including spas, boutiques swimming pools and superior rooms.

Transportation

Fukuoka's transportation network is well-developed. You can easily travel around by subway and the Nishitetsu train. There is also 100-yen bus operating between Hakata and Tenjin connecting various sightseeing spots. The JR train also connect Fukuoka to other major cities. There are several sea routes travelling to Uminonakamichi and Shikanoshima Island as alternatives travelling by road.