sightseeing
- TOP
- 周辺観光
The Watanabe-dori area, where the lively atmosphere of traditional markets coexists with modern city streets.
Enjoy Fukuoka’s unique charms through gourmet food, shopping, and city strolls.
Sightseeing Information
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ACROS Fukuoka
- shopping
- gourmet
Opened in 1995 on the site of the former Fukuoka Prefectural Office as a public-private complex for international, cultural, and information exchange. Adjacent to Tenjin Central Park, it serves as an urban oasis surrounded by greenery. Fukuoka Symphony Hall, located within the complex, frequently hosts concerts.
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Kego Shrine
- culture
A shrine dedicated to three deities: Yaso Magatsuhi no Kami, who governs misfortune and shows evil; Kamunaohino Kami; and Onaohino Kami, who dispel misfortune and bring goodness. The shrine offers protection from daily impurities, illness, and calamities, guiding visitors on their path. Within the grounds is Ima-masu Inari Shrine, dedicated to Ukanomitama no Kami, who oversees agriculture, commerce, and daily life necessities. Notably, the shrine features rare fox statues with smiling and laughing faces.
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Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden
- nature
A zoo and botanical garden home to about 120 animal species and approximately 900 plant species in the greenhouses, along with around 1,260 other plant varieties. The zoo and botanical garden are in separate areas but can be freely explored. Located in the city center, it is also known as a popular cherry blossom spot.
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Sumiyoshi Shrine
- culture
Said to be the oldest among the 2,129 Sumiyoshi Shrines across Japan, it is referred to in ancient texts as “Sumiyoshi Main Shrine” and “Japan’s First Sumiyoshi Shrine.” The shrine enshrines 3 deities: Sokotsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto, Nakatsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto, and Uwatsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto, who protect against all misfortune. The Noh stage located within the grounds is a historic structure designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Fukuoka City.
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Fukuoka City Red Brick Culture Museum
- culture
Originally built in 1909 as the Kyushu Branch of Nippon Life Insurance Company, the building was later used as a historical archive before reopening in 1994 as the Red Brick Culture Museum. Featuring red brick walls accented with white granite, it showcases a late 19th-century British architectural style. Inside, the space is available for use as meeting rooms and exhibition halls.
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Fukuoka Castle Ruins
- culture
Built over 7 years by Nagamasa Kuroda, the first lord of the Chikuzen Fukuoka Domain, this was the domain’s main castle. The vast area of 2,460,000㎡, including samurai residences, was also known as Maizuru Castle. Today, it is designated as a National Historic Site and serves as a public park. The moat is home to Cyperus ohwiii, a plant designated as a Natural Monument by Fukuoka Prefecture, adding to the area’s serene charm.
Ohori Park
- nature
Once an inlet of Hakata Bay that served as the outer moat of Fukuoka Castle, Ohori Park opened in 1929. This scenic waterfront park covers about 398,000㎡, including a 226,000㎡ pond. Inside the park, you’ll find a Japanese garden, a bird sanctuary, and Nakano Island floating on the water, creating an ideal setting for relaxation.
JR Hakata City
- shopping
- gourmet
Directly connected to JR Hakata Station, this complex offers a wide variety of facilities, including bookstores, restaurants, music schools, and specialty shops. The rooftop garden, surrounded by greenery and themed around the four seasons, features the popular “Tsubame Train,” a small train that children can ride.
Kushida Shrine
- culture
Affectionately known by locals as “Okushida-san,” this shrine serves as the main guardian shrine of Hakata. It enshrines 3 deities: Ohatanushi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-omikami, and Susanowo-no-mikoto, and is the oldest guardian shrine in Hakata’s history. The sacred tree within the grounds is a ginkgo, revered as a symbol of longevity and good health.
Fukuoka Tower
- shopping
- gourmet
Completed in 1989, Fukuoka Tower stands 234 meters tall, making it Japan’s tallest seaside tower. The observation deck at the top offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view. Inside, visitors can enjoy dining and entertainment facilities, while seasonal illuminations beautifully light up the tower throughout the year.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
- culture
Alongside Kyoto’s Kitano Tenmangu, Dazaifu Tenmangu is considered the head shrine of all Tenmangu shrines in Japan and is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizaneko, the deity of learning. The grounds feature numerous historical points of interest, including Josui Shrine, where Kuroda Kanbei spent his later years, and a Kirin statue donated by merchants during the late Edo period. The current main hall, built in 1591 by Kobayakawa Takakage in the Gokensha Nagare-Zukuri style, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Kyushu National Museum
- culture
The 4th national museum in Japan, following Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara, the Kyushu National Museum explores the formation of Japanese culture from an Asian historical perspective. Visitors can learn about Japanese cultural development from the Paleolithic era through the late Tokugawa period. The museum houses numerous Important Cultural Properties, including the national treasure Shumoshuku Airen-zu by Kano Masanobu, and regularly hosts special exhibitions. The Asia Culture Experience Area “Ajippa” on the 1st floor is free to enter.
Seaside Momochi Beach Park
- shopping
- gourmet
Located north of Fukuoka Tower, Seaside Momochi Beach Park is a man-made coastal park featuring a 2.5km stretch of white sandy beach. It’s known as a hub for beach sports such as beach volleyball and soccer. At the center of the park is Marizon, a complex with restaurants and wedding venues. At night, visitors can enjoy the reflection of the city lights shimmering on the water, making it one of Fukuoka’s most popular date spots both day and night.
Canal City Hakata
- shopping
Opened in 1996 under the concept of “Theater City,” Canal City Hakata is a large-scale commercial complex built around a canal that runs north to south. The site features hotels, theaters, shops, restaurants, specialty stores, and showrooms. With daily fountain shows, various events, and a cinema complex, it is also a popular date spot among locals.
Tenjin and Nakasu Area
- shopping
Tenjin and Nakasu are Kyushu and Fukuoka’s most vibrant entertainment districts, home to countless restaurants and food stalls serving exquisite Hakata cuisine and drinks to enjoy in a lively atmosphere.
Itoshima Area
- shopping
Just a 30-minute drive from central Fukuoka, Itoshima offers a serene escape surrounded by abundant nature. Along the Genkai Sea coast, you’ll find charming cafés and restaurants serving dishes made with local ingredients that are perfect for a relaxing scenic drive.
