Discover Fukuoka, Japan; Must See Attractions For A Great Adventure

Fukuoka is a bustling Harbour City in the South of Japan. Located more than 10 hours from Tokyo by high-speed train, it is technically situated closer to South Korea than its own capital city. Serving as a major harbor and aviation hub, it is a popular destination for travelers in transit. 

Escape the Chaos:

Despite being one of Japan’s top ten most populated cities, it feels significantly less busy, chaotic and overwhelming than many of the other populated areas. Filled with beautiful parks, beachside attractions, castles and shopping districts; it is a lovely place to indulge in the Japanese culture while escaping the busy streets and overexposed tourist destinations that you’ll find in the other major cities of Japan. 

When to visit: 

At the beginning of April the Sakura (Japanese cherry blossoms) are in full bloom, colouring the city in a stunning flower display and covering the pathways with beautiful pink petals. The blooming period alters slightly each year depending on the weather and seasonal temperatures, but usually falls around the end of march or beginning of April. Be sure to check before you travel to try line up your trip with the next Sakura Season. 

Let’s Dive In; What to do while in Fukuoka, Japan

1. Fukuoka Castle Ruins 

Nestled in the heart of the city, the Fukuoka Castle ruins allow a peek into history and the ancient battles once bombarded the city shores. Surrounded by a stunning array of well kept gardens and historic Japanese Gates, the site has much more to offer than just an area of land that once supported a dynasty.

Many of the original stone walls have been maintained and now assist to outline the sheer size and complexity of the Castle that once stood within them. The site also hosts many information displays and images that assist you to visualise the rich history of this incredible monument. The best part is, admission is completely free and it is never closed, so you can enjoy this stunning display any day, any time, guilt free. 

2. Ohori Park

Located just a few minutes walk from the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, this relaxing park is the perfect place to sit amongst the gardens and take in the rich history and culture of the area. Ohori Park mostly consists of a large pond that once served as part of the moat system of the neighboring Fukuoka Castle. Today, the pond has three islands in the middle that are connected by unique stone bridges. If you venture to the islands, don’t miss out on the lovely 360 degree views from the Ukimi-do Pavilion (photographed).

The circumference of the pond features a picturesque walking track that covers about 2km and is a popular route for a relaxing stroll, walking pets or a short jog. The south side of the park also features a small display of Traditional Japanese Gardens, however, unlike the rest of the park, these require a small entry fee to enter. 

3. Sakurai Shrine Futamigaura Torii and Couple Stones

If you have the time to venture out of the city, there are a few hidden gems along the Fukuoka Coastline. Located about 2 hours west by bus from Fukuoka Airport, this often missed tourist attraction lay idle amongst the ocean waves. This huge, white shrine is situated in the shallows of Sakurai Futamigaura Beach and aligns perfectly with a pair of large stones connected by a traditional shimenawa rope about 150 metres behind. 

The stones are said to represent the union of two Gods from Japanese Mythology, Izanagi and Izanami. Thus, the connected stones represent a happy marriage and provide romantic symbolism to every couple and family that visits. While it is a popular tourist destination that provides picturesque ocean views through a towering Torii Gate, do not expect to see the lines of tourists and photographers that you would usually expect at such a sight.

We were pleasantly surprised to only be sharing the beach with a handful of other travellers and had plenty of time to enjoy the site as well as take a few photos and videos without feeling like we were being bombarded by onlookers. But be careful not to get too close to the Gate, you might get a little wet by oncoming waves! 

4. Hideout Beach

Located just a few minutes from Sakuai Futamigaura Beach, this beach is a hidden tourist attraction that I could only describe as a ‘made for media, photoshoot location’. We first spotted these unique sculptures and photo props from the window of the bus, and couldn’t help but take a closer look. At first we laughed at the idea that these huge free photoshoot displays were seemingly in the middle of nowhere along the coast, far from the city centre. However, the effortless successful results of some of the photos had us wondering why it wasn’t a more popular destination.

The area featured about 10 individual interactive shooting locations, spread along the coast. Each one seemed to have a makeshift stand to prop your phone on for a perfectly framed portrait with stunning ocean views in the background. This is not your usual tourist attraction, but it was a lot of fun and completely free! What more could you ask for?

5. Maizuru Park – Sakura Markets

Surrounding the Fukuoka Castle ruins in the heart of the city, this well kept park blossoms with colour and life all year round. Seasonal flora fill the garden beds and quiet winding paths take away the noise and chaos of the city for a natural and calming escape. 

During April, the Sakura season is celebrated with food and drink stalls lining the major walkways. Locals and tourists alike, gather to eat, drink, talk, and lay amongst the blooming flowers. Come and grab a Sakura themed beverage and a delicious Takoyaki stick and sit to enjoy them under the falling pink petals. 

6. Teamlab Forest Fukuoka

TeamLab is an international art collective that celebrates art and nature through interactive displays and immersive experiences. There are hundreds of exhibits located all over the world and Fukuoka hosts its own indoor, interactive experience to captivate your mind and your senses. This Collection features two forest themed exhibits; the ‘Catching and Collecting Forest’ and the ‘Athletics Forest’. Both exhibits allow you to interact with digital projections and sensory surfaces to interact with the art around you. One exhibit is based on the ‘catch, study and release’ program, while the other trains spatial awareness and physical response to stimuli. 

You can read more about the Fukuoka TeamLabs exhibit in my ‘TeamLab Exibitions in Japan’ post, where I describe and compare the TeamLab exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. 

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