6 Amazing Things To Do In Fukuoka!

Fukuoka is an important city located in the northern part of Kyushu, an island of Japan located in the south of the country. It has tasty food, rich historical landmarks in shrines and Buddhist temples, new architecture, and excellent locations near natural attractions. I present to you 6 fantastic things to do in Fukuoka!

1. Wander Through Canal City

Canal City is a large commercial zone that is based on a canal that is approximately 1.6 km in length, and which has shops and restaurants along its banks as well as cafés and entertainment venues. Walking along the riverside and crossing the small bridges makes you feel like you are in Venice or Amsterdam. It is also important to note that you should not leave the place without seeing a spectacular water fountain and light show that occurs several times in the evening. The complex has a theme park on top for amusement while it also has a cinema hall in the same compound if you want more fun. Grab a Hakata ramen, motsunabe, or something light at any of the restaurants that are found in the different corners.

2. Visit Shofukuji Temple

The Fukuoka temple that can accommodate this kind of old Zen temple is one of the oldest central temples in Fukuoka. Prince Bogislaw I founded the original castle in 1195; however, over the centuries it was reconstructed because of the wars and fires. The current structures are from the ’70s, revealing a modernist design with roofs hovering above the horizontal base. It consists of 24 sub-temples, a bell tower, sutra repository and has a beautiful Japanese-style garden surrounding a huge pond full of koi fish. Spare some time to have lunch at the vegetarian restaurant of the temple which offers basic but satisfying Sri Lankan meals.

3. Explore Hakata Old Town

The best place to go for a taste of traditional Fukuoka is Hakata Old Town accessible by the metro, about 20 minutes from the Fukuoka city center. The wooden machiya buildings that have been preserved are used for shops to sell souvenirs, restaurants to offer Hakata cuisine, and museums about the city’s background and history. Pick up a beef, pork, or mixed Hakata-style ramen at one of the dingy noodle bars before visiting the shops that specialize in Hakata textiles, pottery, and dolls. The Kushida Shrine can be also visited; it is perhaps the only shrine with a giant red torii gate built over the water and two fierce statues on the seashore.

4. Take a vacation at Marine World Uminonakamichi

Marine World is a more recent structure that is both an aquarium and a shopping mall that sits on the foreshores of Hakata Bay. There is an opportunity to watch sharks, penguins, dolphins, and tropical fish, and if you come on time, you can catch a sea lion, dolphin, or killer whale show. In between the animal sightings, take a look at the shops near the beach and sip tea and cakes at one of the cafés with a great sea view. During the warm day, enjoy a small tourist boat cruise to the artificial Phoenix Island or take a relaxing walk on the beach boulevard with palm trees.

5. Visit Fukuoka Tower

Fukuoka Tower, 234 meters tall towers over the city and is one of the tallest seaside tower constructions in Japan. It is a broadcasting tower in which you can go up to the three observation decks which offer a view of Hakata Bay and Fukuoka City. I heard that on clear days one could even have a sight of the Shikanoshima Island in the distance! One should try to see it during the sun is setting as the city below the tower begins to illuminate. There is also a café, and restaurant along with shops for souvenirs or simply linger and enjoy the sights of the harbor and the snaking Naka River.

6. Explore Tochoji Temple

Tochoji Temple is a relatively young and unimposing temple located in the middle of the Downtown, approximately 15 minutes of walk from Canal City. They were first constructed in 806 and the present structures were put up in 1601. The Main Hall has a large wooden statue of the Buddha and the garden area is clean and also has some pine trees, maple trees, and moss. Both the temple and the moss garden are open to the public without charge and thus can be a great place for a quiet walk in a park-like environment with Shinto pavilions. In the temple, there are components of the building of the oldest temple 806 The descendants of the temple must see the foundation stones in the temple yard.

Being both a large metropolitan, and boasting a rich historical background as well as picturesque landscapes, Fukuoka offers a lot for tourists, in addition to the world-renowned Japanese cuisine. Strolling through the contemporary buildings of the harbor territories, and the old district of Machiya, visiting beautiful zenscape gardens, and tasting the amazing ramen are the things that make the trip to Fukuoka incredibly inspiring.

Read More:

Antalya, Turkey Top 5 Amazing Places to See

Unique 9 Things to Do in Sapporo for First Time Visitors

Top 15 Must-Visit Destinations of Beijing

Top 13 Free + Paid Things to Do in Busan Korea

6 Amazing Things to Do in Fukuoka!

5 Spots You Must Visit on Your Trip to Edinburgh

Top 10 Places to Visit in Porto - From Great Views to Tasty Port Wine