Things YOU need to know before you travel to Fukuoka Japan. Fukuoka is nearly equidistant to Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul, it sits on the northern tip of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands. Fukuoka has a laid-back atmosphere, the friendly people, the relaxed pace of a city large enough, with about 1.4 million people, to have its own attractions but not so large as to be overwhelming. Compared with navigating Tokyo’s busy subway system or hurrying to visit one last shrine in Kyoto before closing time, taking in the sights in Fukuoka actually feels like a vacation
Today’s Fukuoka is the product of the fusion of two cities in the year 1889, when the port city of Hakata and the former castle town of Fukuoka were united into one city called Fukuoka. Hakata remains the name of one of Fukuoka’s central districts and of the main railway station.
5 – Getting to Fukuoka
Plane – Airport is really close to the city — 5 minutes on the Subway from the domestic terminal. But 15 minutes by Bus from the International Terminal.
Shinkansen — 2.5 hours from Osaka
Drive
3- Transportation in Fukuoka
Fukuoka sells unlimited day passes for tourists, making sightseeing easier and affordable. The subway is easy to use, with two main station transfer hubs (for JR trains) and a route to the Fukuoka International Airport. You can buy a single fare (600 yen) or get an unlimited day pass. The station master booth near the turnstile can answer any questions you have.
Fukuoka Tourist Day Passes grants access to each/all the public transportation: 800 yen (adults) affords a pass on Nishitetsu Bus, Showa Bus, JR Train and the Subway, while 1,300 yen gets you an extra usage of the Nishitetsu Train (* takes you out to the Dazaifu Temple Area). I chose the 800 yen pass and was very pleased. Show your passes at events and attractions and you may get a special discount.
4 – Food:
For ramen, most people say Fukuoka is the best,” he said. Two of Japan’s most famous ramen chains, Ichiran and Ippudo, hail from the city. Ramen Stadium on the 5th floor of Canal City. But the one can’t-miss dining experience in Fukuoka is yatai. Yatai are tiny street food carts that are constructed (and deconstructed) nightly. Plastic curtains typically enclose a bare-bones kitchen and minuscule counter around which no more than a dozen or so diners can cram. Many yatai serve basic fare like grilled things-on-sticks or ramen; some supplement counter seating with folding tables and chairs.
Today, there are about 150 operating yatai in Fukuoka, with most clustered along main roads, parks and the riverfront. Because of a law that bans the opening of new yatai, those numbers are dwindling
5 – Shopping:
Canal City is a major shopping complex at 2.5 million square feet, including about 250 shops, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, game center, theater, etc. It even has a canal flowing inside (which explains its name), and a large fountain that has a water show every 30 minutes.
Because the mall is so large, it may take you a whole day to discover everything. If you come to Canal City before May 18th, you can also enjoy the 3D projection mapping show with the popular anime “One Piece” theme, which is quite epic you won’t want to miss it.
By the train station lots of shopping too!!
6- Shrines:
Dazaifu Tenmangu and Kushida Shrine.
Dazaifu Tenmangu is located in Dazaifu city, and it is one of the main shrines in Japan dedicated to Tenjin- the “God” of literature and scholarship. The shrine is very large and includes several structures, so it would take you around 1 hour to visit all the places.
On the contrary, Kushida shrine is located right in the center of Hakata, and since it is a village shrine, it is much smaller than Dazaifu, and this spot will only take you 20 minutes to visit. As the oldest shrine in Fukuoka city, it attracts lots of foreign tourists so you can get the information sheet and even the omikuji (paper fortunes) in English.