3 days in Fukuoka

Day by day

1. Day 1: Kushida Shrine and Tocho-ji

   Kushida Shrine, Tocho-ji and Shofuku-ji, then Yatai food stalls in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kushida Shrine

      Hakata's guardian shrine, founded in the 8th century, is the home of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.

   2. Late morning

      Tocho-ji

      Walk the short pitch-dark tunnel behind the Buddha with one hand on the wall, as visitors are asked to do.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hakata ramen

      Ramen shops around Hakata Station and Nagahama, yatai stalls and the Ramen Stadium in Canal City.

   4. Afternoon

      Shofuku-ji

      Founded in 1195 by the monk Eisai after studying in China, Shofuku-ji is regarded as Japan's first Zen temple.

   5. Evening

      Yatai food stalls

      Go early in the evening to get seats, order a drink plus one or two dishes per stall, and move on to try several.

2. Day 2: Ohori Park and Fukuoka Castle ruins

   Ohori Park, Fukuoka Castle ruins and Fukuoka Art Museum, then Fukuoka Tower in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ohori Park

      Walk across the island bridges in the middle of the lake, then visit the Japanese garden on the south side.

   2. Late morning

      Fukuoka Castle ruins

      The 17th-century castle of the Kuroda lords no longer has its keep, but its massive stone walls, turrets and terraced grounds in Maizuru Park are free to explore.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mentaiko

      Specialist shops at Hakata Station, Yanagibashi market and restaurants serving mentaiko set breakfasts.

   4. Afternoon

      Fukuoka Art Museum

      Stop at the museum café's terrace overlooking Ohori Park's lake.

   5. Evening

      Fukuoka Tower

      Go up just before sunset, then walk to the Momochi seaside beach as the tower lights come on.

3. Day 3: Canal City Hakata and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

   Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and Yanagibashi Rengo Market, then SoftBank Hawks baseball game in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Canal City Hakata

      A large mall built around an artificial canal with curving terracotta-coloured buildings, a theatre and cinemas, fountain shows set to music, and the Ramen Stadium, a floor of ramen shops from around Japan.

   2. Late morning

      Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

      Check the resident artists' open studio on the same floor, which visitors can sometimes visit for free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Motsunabe

      Motsunabe restaurants across Hakata and Tenjin; usually for two or more people.

   4. Afternoon

      Yanagibashi Rengo Market

      A narrow covered market south of Nakasu known as 'Hakata's kitchen', with about 40 stalls selling fresh fish, mentaiko, fishcakes and produce, plus a few counters serving seafood bowls at breakfast and lunch.

   5. Evening

      SoftBank Hawks baseball game

      Buy tickets ahead for weekend games and stay for the post-game fireworks or light show on some nights.

Before you go

• SoftBank Hawks baseball game: Popular weekend games sell out; buy tickets online in advance.

If it rains

• Swap in Hakata Machiya Folk Museum (Gion and Hakata Old Town): Pair it with Kushida Shrine across the street for an hour on old Hakata.
• Swap in Marine World Uminonakamichi (Uminonakamichi): Take the ferry from the Bayside Place pier for a scenic crossing instead of the train.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Hakata Station keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Daimyo and Akasaka ($$$) suits couples, shopping and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–18 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.9 hours in December to 14.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Fukuoka
• 2 days in Fukuoka
• 5 days in Fukuoka

Questions travellers ask