Tours

Once you find yourself in Fukuoka Prefecture, you are almost certain to want to explore not only the urban zones but also the surrounding areas where the natural beauty of Kyushu Island abounds. There are numerous day trips and excursions, but be sure to make your first journey an orientation tour of Kyushu's most fascinating city.

Fukuoka City itself is not overly large. On a bicycle you could travel from one side of the city to the other in about 30 minutes. Neither is the local subway system all that complex. There are two main lines, one being the Kaizuka Line which runs between Nakasu-kawabata and Kaizuka, the other, the Fukuoka Airport Line, which runs from the airport through Nakasu-kawabata and then south to Meinohama.

There are numerous other private lines branching off from stations along this system. Hakata is Fukuoka's (and Kyushu's) main station, where the bullet train stops. From Hakata, there is also the Kagoshima Line, which runs northward along the industrialized coast toward Kitakyushu City, or southward toward Kagoshima. Besides this line, which will link you to most other lines and places in Kyushu, there is the shorter, lesser used Sasaguri Line. Another station of note is Nishitetsu Fukuoka, located in Tenjin, in the Solaria Building. The Omuta Line, which leaves this station, runs south toward Dazaifu, Yanagawa, and Kurume, another fairly large regional station.

Kushida Shrine

The first, and most obvious, place to tour upon arrival in Fukuoka are the many historical temples and shrines in Hakata because you can start as soon as you step off the train. The Kushida Shrine, which was established in 757 C.E., is a great place to start, as it surely embodies the traditional spirit of Fukuoka more than anyplace else. Kushida Shrine is also host to several major festivals throughout the year. For more culture, within a five minute walk of Hakata Station is Shofukuji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in Japan. Tochoji Temple, which houses an 11-meter/36-foot tall, 30-ton statue of the Buddha, is also nearby.

For something more modern, continue on to the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum that features the work of some of Asia's most brilliant modern artists, and after a long day of touring, stop in at Nishimura Sushi for some the best sushi in town.

Canal City & Kawabata Shopping Arcade

Once you've had enough culture, it's time to shop, which means a trip to Nakasu.  Start at Canal City, a shopping arcade that you'll want to visit as much for viewing the unique architecture, as experiencing the high-end shopping and Sega amusement park. For even more shopping, with a bit of historical flavor, also check out the Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Fukuoka's oldest arcade that still reflects the city's history as a merchant city.  While there, stop in at Kawabata Zenzai, a small shop that offers zenzai (sweet bean dessert), a Hakata speciality, and where you can also see the elaborately-decorated Yamakasa float that is carried through the streets every year as part of the Gion Yamakasa Festival.  This shopping arcade is also a great place to find unique items and deals.

And while in Nakasu, don't forget to grab a bite to eat, because great places abound that can be as much a part of experiencing the city as seeing the sights is. Fukuoka is famous for its ramen noodles, and Karonouron offers a great bowl accompanied by a 250-year history. Want some of the freshest sashimi (raw fish)? Be sure to stop in at Kamifu Sen Izakaya.

Fukuoka Art Museum

Apart from the shopping and city-life of the downtown Tenjin area, such as the architecturally stunning ACROS Fukuoka Building, Chūō-ku has a vast array of activities. The Fukuoka Art Museum, located in the heart of this ward, is a great place to start for culture lovers, with its broad range of modern and pre-modern art, while those interested in local history should be sure to see the Fukuoka Castle ruins, which date from 1601 and from the top of which you can enjoy an excellent view of the surrounding area. If you're looking for a night out with plenty of bars and restaurants, the Daimyo area is packed full of options, while the Fukuoka City Zoological Gardens is a great option for those traveling with kids.

Dining is also no problem in this part of town, with food as familiar as the Hard Rock Cafe, and as uniquely Japanese as Okonomiyaki at Nande-yanen.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Fukuoka is the largest transportation hub of Kyushu, so if you have some extra time and a desire to see the rest of southern Japan, there are a number of destinations that you not so much could visit as must visit.

On the Omuta Line from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, you can reach the historical and culturally rich town of Dazaifu (do not forget to transfer at Futsukaichi). The closest youth hostel to Fukuoka City is located here, but that works out just great because there are numerous ancient structures and landmarks here, including the famous Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine with its adjoining plum tree grove. Built in the 10th Century in honor of the famous scholar Sugawara No Michizane, this quiet shrine is also host to the popular kyokusui-no-en traditional poetry festival every year on the first Sunday of March.  Farther south, about 45 minutes from Fukuoka Station, lies Yanagawa, the Venice of the East. Rural towns are rarely more attractive than this, and a boat tour of the city is an ideal way to observe the surrounding beauty. And if you're traveling in August, try to schedule some time to stop in Kurume on your way from Dazaifu for the annual Chikugo River Fireworks Festival, which lights the sky with over 12,000 fireworks.

Guided Tours

Fukuoka Taxi Association (+81 92 434 5100/ http://www.taxi-fukcty.or.jp/)
Fukuoka City Volunteer Guide Office (+81 92 283 2111/ http://www.welcome-fukoka.or.jp/)

Bus Tours

Nishitetsu Kanko Bus Co. (+81 92 734 2727/ http://yokanavi.com/access_kanko_eg/)

Boat Tours

Shiei Noryosen (Municipal Cruising Boat) (+81 92 291 1085/ http://yokanavi.com/eg/landmark/index/518/)