“Fukuoka Prefecture is one of Japan’s prefectures located in the Kyushu region. It faces the Pacific Ocean, and the climate is warm, with relatively hot summers and mild winters. Fukuoka City serves as the prefectural capital and is considered an economic hub in the Kyushu region. The local culinary culture is rich, with famous dishes such as tonkotsu ramen and motsunabe. Tourist attractions like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Itoshima add to the region’s appeal. Fukuoka City is home to Fukuoka Airport, providing convenient access to major cities both domestically and internationally.
１．Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, a famous deity of learning. Within the precincts, you can find historical spots like “Josui Society,” where the strategist Kanbei Kuroda spent his later years, and a “Kirin Statue” donated by a merchant in the late Edo period. The Starbucks Coffee designed by Kengo Kuma is also popular.
２．Yanagawa
Yanagawa is known for its popular boat tours around the moat of Yanagawa Castle. Seasonal attractions include the “Kotatsu Boat,” where you can cruise with a heated table, and the enchanting night cruise called “Yanagawa Lighted Boats.
３．Fukuoka Tower
Fukuoka Tower, standing at 234 meters, offers panoramic views of Fukuoka’s cityscape and Hakata Bay from its observation deck at 123 meters above ground. The tower is illuminated seasonally and is a must-see attraction, selected as one of the “Top 100 Night Views in Japan.
４．Fukuoka Dome (PayPay Dome)
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ home stadium, the Fukuoka Dome, is also home to the entertainment complex “BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA,” which opened in July 2020. It features Japan’s first breathtaking attractions, a food hall, and theaters for Yoshimoto and HKT48.
５．Nakasu Yatai Street
Nakasu in Hakata ward boasts over 120 traditional food stalls, making it a famous entertainment district in Fukuoka. Not only renowned for ramen, but also for dishes like motsunabe.
６．Canal City Hakata
A shopping mall consisting of seven buildings, Canal City Hakata is accessible on foot from JR Hakata Station in about 10 minutes. With over 200 stores, it offers Fukuoka gourmet options and numerous amusement facilities. Weekend activities include live music and local TV program recordings.
７．Ohori Park
Utilizing the outer moat of Fukuoka Castle, Ohori Park features several islands connected by bridges. Known for its flowers, visitors can enjoy tulips and azaleas in spring and sunflowers in summer.
８．Kokura Castle
Known as the residence of Tadaoki Hosokawa, Kokura Castle is now part of the “Katsuyama Park,” maintaining some original stone walls and moats. The reconstructed Tang-style (Nanban-zukuri) keep is a popular attraction. The Kokura Castle Garden is also well-known.
９．Saracura-yama
Saracura-yama offers a panoramic view from the city of Kitakyushu to the Kanmon Strait, known as the “Night View of 10 Billion Dollars” and selected as one of the “New Three Major Night Views of Japan.” A cable car connects the base station to the mountaintop station, and the restaurant at the observation deck is popular.
１０．Moji Port Retro
Moji Port Retro is a tourist spot in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, known for its bustling port activities from the Meiji era to the early Showa era. Once a thriving port town, it was revitalized as a new tourist destination in 1995.
