Fukuoka, Kyushu’s gateway city, is an idyllic blend of tradition and contemporary living; urban spaces flourish alongside nature. Enjoy breathtaking views from Fukuoka Tower’s lookout point or visit Nokonoshima Wisteria Fields; we have everything covered! Come explore! Here is our list of things to do in Fukuoka!

Canal City Hakata provides an exciting shopping district experience, complete with restaurants, cinemas and game arcades. Kushida Shrine can also be visited to witness its famous Yamakasa festival floats during Hakata Gion Yamakasa in July. With Cathay Pacific, you can easily enjoy several quick flights in the city, including Jakarta to Fukuoka.

Fukuoka Castle

Fukuoka Castle is truly amazing to witness; one of Kyushu’s largest castle complexes and comparable in scale with those in Himeji and Osaka. Boasting 47 turrets built to defend against attacks using moats, walls and turrets as protection measures around its main tower, Fukuoka Castle provides visitors with stunning sights such as Sakura blooming during spring or the leaves fading during autumn.

The castle is conveniently located within a park, making it accessible and providing great views over the city. Constructed originally by the Kuroda clan in 1607, its existence remains controversial with some disputing whether or not a central tower ever stood upon its platform.

Modern day castle ruins are used as sites for various cultural activities and special events, and are also an ideal spot for cherry blossom viewing events (hanami). Additionally, their gardens make them suitable places for this kind of viewing event. Furthermore, these sites serve as excellent learning resources on Japan’s history while housing valuable national treasures.

Before venturing up to the castle itself, for a better understanding it’s recommended that you visit the Fukuoka Castle Visitor Center located on the edge of Maizuru Park. Here you will find an exhibition that details its history as well as exhibits displaying some of its most prized assets.

Fukuoka Tower is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and top tourist attractions, boasting incredible 360 degree views of Hakata Bay from its location on Hakata Bay’s shores. Encrusted with over 8,000 half-mirrors that give it the appearance of being covered with sails, the observation deck opens year round but particularly popular during summer months.

Fukuoka Art Museum

Fukuoka Art Museum is an indispensable cultural center where you can experience contemporary Asian art at its best. Featuring independent exhibitions planned through methodical investigations of modern Japanese-style painting, Japanese western-style paintings, sculpture, crafts and pan-Asian styles of art; plus boasting an impressive collection of over 2,800 works originating from 22 different countries and regions – you are guaranteed an experience full of beauty in contemporary Asian art here!

Fukuoka City Museum can be found within walking distance from Ohori Park and Hakata Station, making its collection easily accessible by public transit. Here you will find works by renowned artists such as Utagawa Hiroshige, Katsushika Hokusai and Ito Jakuchu as well as contemporary and modern masterpieces by leading contemporary and modern artists of today – as well as special exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Fukuoka Art Museum is housed in a simple yet elegant house designed by Kunio Maekawa, an employee of legendary 20th century architect Le Corbusier. Not only does the museum contain an extensive selection of modern artwork but it also contains valuable collections of Asian antique artworks and tea utensils that add depth and value to its holdings.

An essential stop for anyone interested in Japanese and Asian culture. Open daily from 11 am to 6 pm (except Wednesdays and New Year’s Day ) admission is free.

Fukuoka Tower is an ideal way to view the city’s skyline from an unconventional perspective. Offering multiple observation decks and restaurants/shops as well as spectacular illumination shows during winter nights – visitors can view this spectacle either from its observation decks or rooftop seating area and enjoy traditional Japanese yakitori dining!

Fukuoka Tower

Fukuoka Tower is one of the city’s iconic landmarks and one of the tallest seaside towers in Japan, standing at 234 m tall with an observation deck atop. Here, stunning vistas span across Momochi Beach Park and Hakata Bay; especially stunning at night when lit up 8000 half mirrors create incredible lighting displays such as swimming fish or the Milky Way!

Transportation to Fukuoka Tower Minamiguchi stop from Hakata Station or Tenjin is convenient: simply hop aboard a Nishitetsu Bus from either Hakata Station or Tenjin and alight at Fukuoka Tower Minamiguchi stop; it takes 20-25 minutes, dropping you right in front of it! Tickets cost 520 yen for admission which includes an elevator ride up to the observation deck as well as a small souvenir.

Fukuoka Tower should be on every visitor’s itinerary when in Fukuoka, but there are numerous other interesting activities and sights worth seeing in Fukuoka. Daimyo, for instance, boasts numerous charming boutiques and retro shops that provide an enjoyable change from central Fukuoka.

Explore Hakata’s food markets! Yanagibashi is well known as Hakata’s Kitchen due to its wide selection of fresh seafood and produce stalls. There is also plenty of traditional Japanese restaurants as well as international eateries available.

Maizuru Park

Maizuru Park features the remains of Fukuoka Castle and offers one of the city’s best spots for enjoying cherry blossom viewing during spring. A large pond adorns its center, while row boats may be rented to take guests for peaceful rides around it. Visitors may also see other seasonal blooms such as peony, camellia, wisteria and rhododendron at this picturesque locale.

Popular among visitors during their trip to Japan, this stunning park is an ideal spot for taking photographs among its beautiful trees and walking along its walkways. A variety of restaurants and cafes dotted along its lake offer delicious meals or snack options; beautiful stone bridges connect islands within its waters for added serenity that makes the place great for couples or families with young children looking for outdoor fun.

Fukuoka’s historic park is famous for its breathtaking cherry blossom displays each spring. Home to an Asai One Cherry Tree that blooms a week later than other local trees, creating dense blooms which reflect beautifully in a nearby pond and become stunning views when reflecting.

Ohori Park lies to Maizuru Park’s west, with an adjacent large pond which was once part of its castle moat system. This picturesque locale provides various sports grounds and equipment where residents exercise daily as well as being an excellent bird-watching location with 19 species to observe. Near the Japanese Garden lies Fukuoka Art Museum which showcases historical and modern artwork from both Western and Japanese artists.

Ohori Park

Fukuoka Castle Park opened to the public in 1929 as part of the outer moat. Since then it has provided an oasis of green and blue in an otherwise busy urban environment, drawing inspiration from China’s West Lake with Japanese gardens, Noh theater performances, Fukuoka Art Museum exhibits and even offering swan boat rentals on its central lake.

At this scenic park, citizens come together to relax, stroll and picnic among its abundance of nature centered around a massive lake. Activities available here include renting rowboats to paddle around or simply walking the 2-kilometer loop of paved pathways surrounding it – perfect for local joggers as the paths are flat concrete and marked with distance markers – while it also attracts couples, families, dog owners and tourists with cameras.

Fukuoka Art Museum can also be found within the park and features exhibits from world-renowned artists like Dali, Miro and Chagall as well as important cultural properties such as Important Cultural Properties. Additionally there are cafes and restaurants throughout the park and several on islands in the lake that attract many visitors who want to dine while admiring its scenic splendor.

At nighttime, the entire park is illuminated, offering an incredible display of color-changing trees and water’s edge reflections on Lake Tawaro. A lakeside promenade where one can watch swan boats pass by is especially popular; and to reach this location you can either disembark at Hakata or Tenjin stations and walk north or take Ohorikoen subway station and walk south from there.