15 Things to Do in Fukuoka + 3- and 4-Day Itineraries
Fukuoka's sights cluster in Hakata, Tenjin/Ohori, Momochi and Dazaifu. Group each day by area and check Monday closures at museums.
Itineraries
3 days
Day 1 · Hakata old town
Kushida ShrineTochoji TempleKawabata Shopping StreetCanal City HakataYatai food stalls (Nakasu, Tenjin, Nagahama)
Day 2 · Dazaifu
Day 3 · Ohori and Momochi
Ohori ParkOhori Park Japanese GardenFukuoka Castle Ruins (Maizuru Park)Fukuoka City MuseumFukuoka Tower
4 days
Day 1 · Hakata old town
Kushida ShrineTochoji TempleKawabata Shopping StreetCanal City HakataYatai food stalls (Nakasu, Tenjin, Nagahama)
Day 2 · Dazaifu
Day 3 · Ohori and Momochi
Ohori ParkOhori Park Japanese GardenFukuoka Castle Ruins (Maizuru Park)Fukuoka City MuseumFukuoka Tower
Day 4 · Uminonakamichi
Things to do 15
Kushida Shrine
Shrine known as the guardian shrine of Hakata. It dedicates the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
- Hours
- Main hall 4:00–22:00
- Time needed
- about 30 minutes
- Getting there
- 2 min walk from Kushida-jinja-mae Station (Nanakuma Line)
Tochoji Temple
Temple whose tradition links it to Kukai (806). It houses the Fukuoka Daibutsu, a wooden seated Buddha 10.8 m tall.
- Time needed
- about 30 minutes
- Getting there
- 1 min walk from Gion Station (Airport Line)
Kawabata Shopping Street
Hakata's oldest shopping arcade, about 400 m long with around 130 shops.
- Fee
- Free to walk
- Time needed
- about 30 minutes
- Getting there
- Next to Nakasu-Kawabata Station
Canal City Hakata
Complex of shops, restaurants, a theater and cinema built around a canal, with a fountain show.
- Hours
- Shops 11:00–21:00, restaurants 10:00–23:00 (varies on some days)
- Fee
- Free entry
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Getting there
- 3 min walk from Kushida-jinja-mae Station; about 7 min walk from JR Hakata Station
Yatai food stalls (Nakasu, Tenjin, Nagahama)
Fukuoka has more than 100 yatai street stalls, mainly in the Nakasu-Kawabata, Tenjin and Nagahama areas.
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Head shrine of Tenmangu shrines nationwide, built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning.
- Hours
- Gates open 6:30 (from the autumn equinox) / 6:00 (from the spring equinox); close 19:00 Apr–May & Sep–Nov, 19:30 Jun–Aug, 18:30 Dec–Mar
- Fee
- Treasure Hall: adult ¥500
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Getting there
- 5 min walk from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station
Kyushu National Museum
National museum focused on cultural exchange between Japan and Asia. It sits behind Dazaifu Tenmangu.
- Hours
- 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays (next day if holiday) and year-end
- Fee
- Cultural Exchange Exhibition: adult ¥700; under 18 and 70+ free (special exhibitions extra)
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
Ohori Park
Large city park around a pond with a walking loop, rental boats and cafés.
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- 7 min walk from Ohori-koen or Tojinmachi Station (Airport Line)
Ohori Park Japanese Garden
Japanese garden inside Ohori Park with ponds, a waterfall and tea rooms.
- Hours
- Oct–Apr 9:00–17:00, May–Sep 9:00–18:00 (last entry 15 min before); closed Mondays (next day if holiday), Dec 29–Jan 3
- Fee
- Adult ¥250, under 15 ¥120, 65+ free
- Time needed
- about 40 minutes
- Getting there
- Inside Ohori Park
Fukuoka Castle Ruins (Maizuru Park)
National historic site with stone walls and the keep base (Tenshudai). Guidance facilities explain the castle and Korokan history.
- Fee
- Free (except during events)
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- About 10 min walk from Akasaka Station exit 2
Fukuoka City Museum
City history museum that displays the National Treasure gold seal (Kin-in).
- Hours
- 9:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00); closed Mondays (next weekday if holiday), Dec 28–Jan 4
- Fee
- Permanent exhibition: adult ¥200
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- Nishitetsu bus to 'Hakubutsukan Kitaguchi' or 'Minamiguchi' (e.g. W1 from Tenjin)
Fukuoka Tower
234 m seaside tower with a 360-degree observation deck at 123 m.
- Hours
- 9:30–22:00 (last entry 21:30, may be earlier when crowded)
- Fee
- Adult ¥1,000, elementary/junior high ¥500, age 4+ ¥200
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- Nishitetsu bus 306 from Hakata BT stop 6 or W1/302 from Tenjin to 'TNC Hoso Kaikan-mae' / 'Fukuoka Tower Minamiguchi'
Marine World Uminonakamichi
Aquarium focused on the sea around Kyushu, with a dolphin and sea lion show.
- Hours
- Usually 9:30–17:30; Dec–Feb 10:00–17:00 (last entry 1 hour before closing)
- Fee
- Adult ¥2,500, elementary/junior high ¥1,200, age 3+ ¥700
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- JR Uminonakamichi Station (from Hakata: 11 min to Kashii, change to Kashii Line 20 min)
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
National government park with seasonal flower fields, an animal area and a cycling course of about 12 km.
- Hours
- Mar–Oct 9:30–17:30, Nov–Feb 9:30–17:00 (entry until 1 hour before closing); some Tuesdays closed by season
- Fee
- Adult (15+) ¥450, 65+ ¥210, junior high and younger free
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
Nokonoshima Island Park
Flower park of about 150,000 m² on Nokonoshima island, known for rape blossoms and cosmos.
- Hours
- Weekdays 9:00–17:30, Sundays/holidays 9:00–18:30; open daily
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- City ferry from Meinohama Port (about 10 min), then Nishitetsu bus about 10 min
Good to know
- Kyushu National Museum, Fukuoka City Museum and the Ohori Japanese Garden close on Mondays (next day if a holiday).
- A joint ticket for the Dazaifu Tenmangu Treasure Hall, Kanko Historical Museum and the museum's Cultural Exchange Exhibition costs ¥1,000.
- Marine World's dolphin and sea lion show pauses from Jan 12 to Apr 9, 2027 for pool repairs.
- Uminonakamichi Seaside Park gates accept cash only for admission.
FAQ
How do I get to Dazaifu from Fukuoka?
Take the Nishitetsu line from Fukuoka (Tenjin) and change at Futsukaichi for Dazaifu (about 35 min). From Hakata Bus Terminal, the direct 'Tabito' bus takes about 40–45 min. The shrine is a 5-minute walk from Dazaifu Station.
How much is the Fukuoka Tower observation deck?
Adults (high school and older) pay ¥1,000. Hours are 9:30–22:00 with last entry at 21:30.
Which Fukuoka sights are free?
Fukuoka Castle Ruins are free except during events. Canal City and Kawabata Shopping Street are free to walk around.