The Excellent 3–4 Day Fukuoka Itinerary For First Time Guests

Beneath, you’ll find my interactive Google Maps, which incorporates all of the spots talked about on this itinerary, together with sights, inns, cafes, eating places and extra. Having Google Maps in your cellphone with web entry (by eSIM or Pocket WiFi) is among the finest methods to navigate your approach by Japan, so I extremely advocate it.

Keep related to the web throughout your journey to Japan (important for utilizing apps like Google Maps & Translate!) with the Journey Japan eSIM. They concentrate on eSIMs in Japan, making them the most suitable choice in your subsequent journey. I used it throughout my time in Fukuoka (and the remainder of Kyushu), and it labored completely.

Day 1 – Fukuoka Metropolis / Hakata

On our first day in Fukuoka, we’re spending a while exploring the outdated city and the world across the canals. Here’s a breakdown of what I like to recommend you take a look at on the primary day in Fukuoka:

• Espresso at Sora Espresso: I all the time love discovering native espresso store to start out the day, and Sora Espresso makes for the right begin to our itinerary due to its nice hand-drip espresso and ideal location. It’s solely a brief stroll from Kushida Shrine Station.
• Discover Hakata Outdated City: The Hakata Outdated City space makes for an ideal morning of exploring the numerous shrines and temples. There are a number of them on this space, so I like to recommend visiting a handful of them on a strolling route I’ve added to the interactive Google Maps for this Fukuoka itinerary. The principle ones embody Kushida Shrine (the place you’ll be able to see among the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Pageant floats), Ryuguji Temple (the place you’ll find the headstone of a mermaid), Tochoji Temple (devoted to Kobo Daishi, and the Nice Buddha of Fukuoka, which might be seen inside for a small payment), Shofukuji Temple and Jotenji Temple.

• Purchasing in Tenjin Underground Mall & Canal Metropolis: Fukuoka is nice for purchasing. The Tenjin space has many shops, together with Kyushu’s largest underground shopping center (crammed with retailers promoting souvenirs, clothes, and designer objects). Canal Metropolis is one other sizzling spot for purchasing, simply recognisable due to its distinctive solar-punk design. You’ll discover your regular H&M and UNIQLO shops right here, but in addition some extra themed shops, together with the Disney Retailer, Ghibli Retailer and the Shonen Bounce retailer. Canal Metropolis additionally has a water and light-weight present within the central atrium, which might be considered each half-hour.
• Dine on the Yatai meals stalls: The Yatai, or open-air meals stalls, are a traditional Fukuoka sight. They’re lined up in a number of spots throughout town, together with Nakasu (simply exterior of Canal Metropolis alongside the riverside). Usually, they seat between six and eight folks, and you’ll order fast dishes like Hakata ramen, yakitori, oden and gyoza, together with a (non)alcoholic drink. They normally open from 6pm till 2am. Whereas the expertise is enjoyable, it did really feel just a little extra catered in the direction of vacationers once we tried it, so simply preserve that in thoughts.

Day 2 – Fukuoka Metropolis

On our second day in Fukuoka, we are going to discover the remainder of town. There may be a lot to see and do in Fukuoka exterior of the outdated city, so let’s take a look.

• Espresso at FUK COFFEE: The favored native espresso chain, FUK COFFEE, has a number of areas throughout town, together with one close to Ohori Park. This makes it the right first cease on our second day in Fukuoka. The espresso is nice, plus they promote some pastries to go alongside it.
• Go to the Fukuoka Fort Ruins: The grounds on which Fukuoka Fort as soon as stood might be visited without spending a dime, and as they’re so near Ohori Park, it’s price stopping by. This citadel was as soon as the most important on Kyushu, however not a lot of it stays to at the present time. The park itself has many cherry blossom timber, making it an incredible spot in case you’re visiting in March or early April. You can even climb a part of the remaining citadel for a stunning view of Fukuoka.
• Cease by Fukuoka Prefecture Gokoku Shrine: Devoted to the spirits of those that died in wars for the reason that Meiji Restoration, Gokoku Shrine is price a cease earlier than heading to Ohori Park. The shrine grounds are spacious and well-kept. You’re welcomed by a big wood torii gate, and once we visited, there was barely anyone else there. I haven’t seen it on many different itineraries, both.
• Discover Ohori Park: This massive park in Fukuoka makes for a stunning halfway cease throughout our day. The park has a big pond on which you’ll hire swan boats. A number of small islands sit in the course of the pond, and you’ll stroll between them throughout stone bridges. It’s very peaceable! Within the park, you may also discover the Fukuoka Artwork Museum and a few espresso retailers. 

• Take pleasure in Momochi Seaside Park & Seashore: Momochi Seashore Park is an ideal place to seize a drink and a snack. A number of seaside bars promote meals, and there are some seats to look at the Fukuoka skyline and Hakata Bay. It’s an incredible spot to look at the sundown, or you’ll be able to head over to Fukuoka Tower for the sundown.
• View Fukuoka from above in Fukuoka Tower: The viewing platform, which supplies you a 360-degree view of Fukuoka Metropolis, is open from 9:30 am till 10 pm (final entry at 9:30 pm). Entree prices ¥1,000. The tower itself additionally lights up at evening. The official web site exhibits you what colors are used day by day because it adjustments. The perfect time to go up is simply earlier than sundown, so you’ll be able to watch the sky change colors.
• (Non-obligatory) Go to Fukuoka’s Cyber Shrine: Nakatsukasa Magotaro Inari Shrine is a slight detour from Fukuoka Tower again to central Fukuoka, nevertheless it’s an excellent spot that could be price visiting if in case you have sufficient time. The small shrine is lit up with LED lights, turning the standard constructing right into a cyber shrine. There isn’t a lot else to see round it, nevertheless it was nice visiting and seeing such a novel shrine whereas we had been within the space.
• Dinner Hakata Gyoza Yuushin OR Hakata Issou Honten: For dinner, there are two spots that I’d extremely advocate, relying on the place you’re staying. In the event you’re staying in central Fukuoka, Hakata Gyoza Yuushin is a improbable spot for the well-known Fukuoka Gyoza (and plenty of different issues). It has an incredible environment, and the meals is unbelievable. In the event you’re staying close to Hakata Station, I’d head over to Hakata Issou Honten for a steaming bowl of Hakata Ramen as a substitute. The scent could be a bit robust, nevertheless it’s a part of the expertise!

Day 3-4 – Day Journeys From Fukuoka

As Fukuoka is so nicely related, it makes for an ideal base for taking day journeys to see extra of the Prefecture (or past). Particularly since there may be a lot to see and do close to Fukuoka, it’s an incredible concept to spend a few of your days right here exploring what else it has to supply.

Relying on what number of days you’ve received to spend in Fukuoka, I’ve added two of my favorite day journeys as choices under. All are doable by public transport, nevertheless it’s additionally doable to do them by rental automobile.

Day Journey Possibility 1 – Yanagawa ( & Dazaifu) Day Journey From Fukuoka

Yanagawa is one among my private favorite spots in Fukuoka Prefecture. The scenic city has a well-preserved outdated city, with willow-lined canals permitting tons of punting boats to move folks by the world. It’s often known as the Venice of Kyushu (to not be confused with Kurashiki, the Venice of Japan).

Visiting Yanagawa can simply fill a day journey (and even an in a single day keep, particularly in case you’re visiting throughout one among Yanagawa’s festivals). Nonetheless, as Dazaifu is positioned on the best way from Fukuoka, you’ll be able to select to cease off right here within the morning. This, after all, depends upon your pursuits and the way a lot time you may have in Fukuoka.

Dazaifu is especially identified for its stunning Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which many college students go to to wish for good examination outcomes. The shrine gardens are particularly stunning in late February to early March, when the 6,000 plum timber are blooming. 

If you wish to go to each, utilizing the Dazaifu and Yanagawa Sightseeing Ticket makes combining these two fashionable spots even simpler. The low cost ticket features a spherical journey from Fukuoka, a ship experience in Yanagawa and additional reductions usable throughout two consecutive days. Staying in a single day in Yanagawa will also be an incredible concept if in case you have sufficient time or occur to go to throughout one of many city’s night light-up occasions. All whereas nonetheless with the ability to use the low cost cross.

Whether or not you wish to go to each or simply Yanagawa, you begin your day in Fukuoka. If you wish to go to Dazaifu first, you will get there in round 20–half-hour from Fukuoka. Alternatively, you’ll be able to skip the following part and head straight to Yanagawa, which ought to take slightly below an hour.

If Dazaifu is in your itinerary for a half-day, listed below are the very best issues to do when visiting:

• Stroll by Monzen Machi: To get to the principle shrine space from the station, you’ll must stroll by the busy Monzen Machi purchasing avenue. The memento retailers and avenue meals distributors do really feel a bit overly touristic (a Ghibli Retailer and Starbucks are all the time an enormous giveaway…), making this avenue my least favorite a part of the world. Nonetheless, whenever you’re there, be certain to strive the native delicacy umegai mochi, that are bought just about wherever on this space.
• Pet one of many ox statues: There are 11 ox statues scattered throughout the temple grounds. Petting their head is alleged to make you smarter, tying in with the shrine’s guardian deity of lecturers.
• Go to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine: The principle sight to go to in Dazaifu is Tenmangu Shrine. Devoted to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a well-known scholar and politician, the shrine has turn out to be a well-liked place for college students to wish for higher college outcomes and passing their entrance exams. You may get an ema plaque to wish for higher grades, alongside the a whole lot of blue omikuji (fortune-telling strips) tied to the wires and branches. The principle shrine is at present being renovated (till 2026/2027), however the non permanent shrine can also be very stunning, with timber rising from its roof.
• Discover the Shrine Backyard: Aside from the shrine itself, the shrine gardens are price some additional time. Shinji-ike pond has three vermillion bridges you’ll be able to cross, and means that you can stroll by superbly stored backyard grounds. It’s particularly stunning in late February to early March, when the 6,000 ume (plum) timber are in full bloom.
• Go to the Kyushu Nationwide Museum: Relying on how a lot time you wish to spend in Dazaifu, go to the Kyushu Nationwide Museum. There may be tons and plenty to see, so that you’d in all probability wish to account for round 1.5–3 hours for a go to a minimum of.

(Non-obligatory) The Dazaifu space can also be residence to a few Pokémon Manhole Covers. The one simply exterior the station can simply be added to this itinerary in case you like discovering fairly manhole covers in Japan. The opposite two are a bit additional away. One sits simply in entrance of the stays of the Dazaifu Authorities Workplace, which in itself is a bit disappointing to go to and not likely well worth the detour, for my part. The third one sits in one other rural avenue. Extra data about their precise areas might be discovered on the Pokémon Manhole Cowl web site.

All in all, half a day in Dazaifu is greater than sufficient to see the principle sights and have sufficient time leftover to move in the direction of Yanagawa. From Dazaifu, it ought to take round 40–50 minutes. There may be extra to see in Yanagawa, and you may simply spend a full day right here, so be certain to think about what you’d desire to see earlier than deciding so as to add Dazaifu to at the present time journey.

When in Yanagawa, listed below are the very best issues to do and see:

• Go to Mihashira Shrine: One of many foremost shrines within the Yanagawa space might be discovered only a quick stroll from the prepare station. It’s additionally the place for the annual Onigie Pageant. The shrine grounds are price having just a little stroll earlier than going to our subsequent cease.
• Journey one of many punting boats: Among the finest issues to do in Yanagawa is to take one of many punting boat rides. A number of totally different corporations are providing these boat rides, all taking a barely totally different route. Considered one of them gives rides from Mihashira Shrine (which is included within the Dazaifu and Yanagawa Sightseeing Ticket) and takes you proper into the outdated city. The experience itself takes round an hour and provides you the very best views of Yanagawa.
• Go to Tachibana-tei Ohana and Shoto-en Backyard: When in Yanagawa outdated city, it’s price visiting Tachibana-tei Ohana and its backyard. Previously owned by the Tachibana feudal lords, the constructing blends Japanese and Western kinds completely. The backyard is particularly stunning.
• Have a espresso/matcha at Yanagawa Hakusyu: In the event you’re after a fast espresso or matcha cease, you’ll be able to’t go improper with Yanagawa Hakusyu within the centre of the outdated city of Yanagawa. They use yame matcha, which comes from Fukuoka Prefecture, and it could have been the very best matcha I’ve ever had.
• Attempt Yanagawa’s steamed eel: Unagi no Seriomushi is a Yanagawa speciality, an ideal possibility for lunch or dinner. Freshwater eel is stopped with a candy soy sauce and steamed on high of a layer of rice in a bamboo field. There are fairly a couple of eating places in Yanagawa that serve this signature dish. I attempted it at Maneidou Unagi on the principle avenue within the outdated city, and it was unbelievable!
• Stroll by the canals: To get again to the station, you’ll be able to both take a return journey on the punting boats or you may also stroll alongside the canals. It’s free (in comparison with paying for one more hour boatride), and in addition a bit faster (30–40 minutes). It’s a good way to see some extra of the city earlier than heading again to Fukuoka.

Day Journey Possibility 2 – Nanzoin Temple & Sasaguri (Non-obligatory Temple Keep)

Nanzoin Temple (南蔵院) might be the most well-liked (half-)day journey from Fukuoka. At 41 meters lengthy and 11 meters excessive, Nanzoin’s reclining Buddha Statue is the most important on the planet. 

Whereas I believe it’s undoubtedly price taking the journey out, most individuals skip the remainder of Sasaguri, the city during which you’ll find Nanzoin Temple. Particularly since visiting Nanzoin Temple by itself doesn’t take longer than 2–3 hours, together with the journey from and to Fukuoka, I’d advocate spending a bit extra time within the Sasaguri space.

Sasaguri is especially identified for its pilgrimage and temples. Impressed by the Shikoku Pilgrimage, the Sasaguri Shikoku Pilgrimage additionally passes 88 temples. Nonetheless, as a substitute of protecting 1,200 kilometres, just like the route in Shikoku, the Sasaguri model spans round 50 kilometres. Nanzoin Temple is the primary temple of the route, so why not go to a couple of extra your self?

However let’s begin with Nanzoin Temple first.

You may get the prepare from Hakata Station to Kidonanzoin-Mae Station, which takes round 25 minutes. From there, you’ll be able to stroll to the doorway of Nanzoin Temple in simply a few minutes. Alongside the best way, you’ll cross the Melody Bridge. The bridge has xylophone-like metallic keys on each side, permitting guests to play Japanese kids’s songs.

When arriving at Nanzoin Temple, you’ll see a number of indicators warning guests to behave in a respectful approach. It’s very unhappy to see that the temple has been compelled to place up indicators reminding those who it is a place of worship, not a “sightseeing” spot. When visiting, please follow the customer’s guidelines and be respectful. 

Nanzoin Temple grounds cowl extra than simply the reclining Buddha. When coming into, you’ll be able to stroll in the direction of the forty fifth Pilgrimage Web site (Interior Sanctuary of Nanzo-in Temple). Stairs information you thru a forest with waterfalls and enormous rocks topped with numerous smaller statues. You’ll be able to even enter a few caves.

Following the opposite facet of the temple grounds, you’ll head in the direction of the reclining Buddha. There’s a small entrance payment for vacationers (free for Japanese residents). First, you’ll must cross by the Tunnel of the Seven Gods of Fortune. The tunnel is adorned with numerous copper-plate Jizo figures. Each single one among them has been donated by pilgrims.

Earlier than I headed to the Buddha, I finished by the shrine store to choose up an omamori amulet and see if they’d any omikuji. To my shock, they supplied a water model of the Japanese fortune-telling strips (水みくじ). Much like common omikuji, you randomly choose a fortune, however as a substitute of with the ability to learn it straight away, this one must be involved with water first. On the facet, you’ll be able to soak the paper in water, the place it’s going to reveal the fortune. 

When arriving on the Buddha, you’ll instantly be impressed by its dimension. In-built 1995, the reclining Buddha is the most important of its sort and weighs 300 tons. On the facet of the statue, you’ll be able to attempt to stability a coin on the soles of his toes as an providing. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as busy as I anticipated once I visited.

Sasaguri can also be an authorized Forest Remedy Base, the place you’ll be able to partake in forest bathing. The Sasaguri Kyushu College Forest has a simple 30-minute course you’ll be able to stroll as a part of it. It’s additionally residence to the sunken forest, the place some historical bald cypress timber have their roots lined within the lake (more often than not, once I visited, the water was very low, sadly!), trying nearly otherworldly.

For the remainder of the day, I like to recommend testing a pair extra shrines which can be a part of the Sasaguri Shikoku Pilgrimage. Sannoji Temple, particularly, is price the additional go to. 

On account of its many tanuki statues, the temple is usually additionally known as Tanuki-dera, however its foremost declare to fame is the wind chime competition they host yearly. Between Might and October, the temple places up round 4,000 vibrant wind chimes.

With so many temples in Sasaguri, there are a couple of prospects to keep the evening in a temple. I’ve stayed in a temple in Koyasan earlier than, which is among the hottest locations for shukubo (temple lodging), however when studying extra about Sasaguri, I made a decision to remain at a temple right here too. 

There undoubtedly aren’t as many choices in Sasaguri in contrast to Koyasan, the place there are over 50 temples providing shukubo. The temples providing in a single day stays are listed on Sasaguri’s official web site. I ended up staying at Dainicihya Inn, which is adjoining to the forty third temple of the pilgrimage, Akashiji Temple.

One of many huge the reason why I wished to remain right here is due to the experiences supplied right here, together with sutra copying. It’s one thing I’ve wished to do for years, so seeing this as an possibility made it a simple selection. The pinnacle monk of the temple took us to the within of the temple, the place we sat down and listened to his rationalization in regards to the sutra. Afterwards, we had been left to repeat the sutra at our personal tempo. It was very enjoyable, nearly meditative. 

The temple additionally gives totally different experiences, together with an ajikan meditation and flower association. The experiences come at a further price of ¥3,000, however as the value of staying in a single day additionally features a very elaborate dinner and breakfast for a really inexpensive value (particularly in comparison with costs of staying in Koyasan), it’s very a lot price it.

We received to get pleasure from a heat bathtub after dinner earlier than we curled up in our futon within the room upstairs. It was among the finest stays we’ve had in Japan, and one which I couldn’t advocate extra. The pinnacle of the temple and his spouse had been unbelievable hosts and made certain we had every little thing we would have liked throughout our keep.

There are a ton of different day journeys you may take from Fukuoka, together with Itoshima, Nokonoshima Island, Huis ten Bosch and Beppu. Nagasaki is usually cited as day journey from Fukuoka, too, however I believe you want greater than someday in Nagasaki as a result of there may be a lot to see. Solely having someday, particularly with the journey from and to Fukuoka, would make the go to approach too rushed.

Is Fukuoka Value Visiting? Conclusion

Fukuoka is certainly a metropolis price visiting, particularly if in case you have additional time to see extra of the Prefecture. Having spent a few weeks in Fukuoka earlier than heading additional down the remainder of Kyushu Island gave me an incredible impression of what town has to supply, and I’m already planning a return journey.

Particularly as Fukuoka is comparatively simple to get to by aircraft or Shinkansen, it could possibly be such a simple addition after following the Golden Route. And because the metropolis is so well-connected with the remainder of Northern Kyushu, you’ll be able to simply enterprise out additional after your keep right here. If you wish to see extra of Kyushu, you may also take a look at our bigger Kyushu itinerary protecting the entire island.