Top Things To Do in & Around Fukuoka, Japan
This past winter, I spent two weeks in Fukuoka, Japan. It’s probably uncommon for a tourist to spend two weeks in Fukuoka, because there aren’t a ton of touristy things to do, but I was there for a language learning program. It was a special experience, and I enjoyed my time in the city. I also happened to be there right before Christmas, which made it extra fun! If you’re visiting, I would recommend spending three days in the area.
These were my favorite things to do in and around Fukuoka:
Eat Ramen: Fukuoka is known for being the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen. It’s a ramen with a pork-based broth that knocked the socks off anything I’ve ever had in the US. I learned that in Japan, you can select the level of hardness of your noodles, and of course I always add a perfectly-cooked egg. It was winter, so I could’ve eaten ramen every day, and I very nearly did.
2. Eat at a Yatai: Yatai’s are street food stalls that used to be popular all over Japan, but now they are pretty much limited to Fukuoka. The stalls have stools around them, and you’re expected to move in and out pretty quickly, passing to different yatais to try other food and drink beer. It was intimidating at first; I definitely picked one that had more foreigners and an English menu, but during my second visit, I gained more courage and even ordered my yakitori and Asahi beer in broken Japanese!
3. Spend a Day in Dazaifu: Dazaifu is a city near Fukuoka that’s home to Dazaifu Tenmangu, a large shinto shrine. On a Saturday, our host mom drove us there, and it was such a beautiful day. There are also stores where you can go shopping or grab something to eat (you’ll definitely want to try ichigo daifuku, a type of mochi with strawberry.) It takes about 30 minutes from Hakata station in Fukuoka to get to Dazaifu. If you’re visiting the shrine, arrive early to avoid the crowds.
4. Go Shopping: Fukuoka seems to be well-known for its shopping experiences. Hakata Station, Canal City, and Tenjin Station all have crazy huge malls with tons of stores. It’s great for gift giving, window shopping, and enjoying Japanese design. My personal favorite was the Studio Ghibli shop in Canal City.
5. See the Itoshima Couple Stones: Although Fukuoka is on the coast, it’s more of a port city than a beach city. But nearby Itoshima will satisfy any beach cravings. I took the bus from downtown Fukuoka, and it was about a 30 minute ride on the West Coast Liner bus. It was a bit pricey for a bus ride, but it was worth it to me for the views. The couple stones (pictured below) represent Izanagi and Izanami, the creator gods of Japan, and each year they have a ceremony to replace the ribbon that bonds their marriage.
6. Visit Nanzoin Temple: This buddhist temple is an easy 20 minute train ride from Fukuoka. The reclining Buddha statue is said to be the longest bronze Buddha statue in the world. It’s really impressive to stand next to, and you can also go inside the statue. The surrounding area is also very pretty and peaceful to walk around. Definitely worth the trip!
I squeezed a lot into my two weeks in Fukuoka. But since I was in class most days, I would say you could cover everything in a three-day itinerary: one day for Nanzoin temple, followed by eating and shopping; one day for Dazaifu; and one day for Itoshima, plus more eating and shopping. Fukuoka might be a city of malls, but it has its gems!