Fukuoka Things to Do

Kushida Shrine or former "The Shrine of Hakata" built in 757. This is one of Fukuoka's premier and most famous shrines. Every year in early July, the great "Hakata Gion Yamakasa" is held here. The shrine get gorgeously decorated, surrounded by ginko trees symbolizing Kushida.

Get off at Gion Station, read the map at the exit and follow the sign.

If you're thinking about new digital camera and other electronic stuff, these 2 giants are the places you should look for. Check the prices from both stores, there's always a fierce competition between them.

Before start exploring Fukuoka, no matter what you're doing or where you wanna go.

Please take some times register for the Fukuoka Welcome Card, FREE OF CHARGE. Justpresent your passport at the Fukuoka Convention & Visitor Bureau: 1-10-1 Tenjin and you'll get many discounts on restaurants, shops and other tourist attractions (including Fukuoka Tower and City Museum.)--and here you can also purchase the Subway One-Day Pass for just 500Y/ticket. Also ask for City Visitor's Guidebook, very informative.

Sorry I really don't know its name.
Just get off at Gion Station an on your way to Kushida Shrine you'll find this place.

The market connects Gion and Nakasu-Kawabata
Very long way to go, stuffed with all kinds of shops. Clothing, paper shop, antique, food, family-run 100Yen shop, supermarket,.... enough to spend an hour or two.

Before leaving the area, make a stop at Fukuoka's #1 Tetsunabe restaurant (I noticed someone has already written a comment on this) which is just 2 blocks away. Cross the street, get into a small lane and look for house No.2-20.

Pretending to be a Japanese housewife for an hour at the Yanagibashi Market. Fresh fish directly from Japan Sea, see a clam as huge as a 2-y-o kid's head!! Also big, green veggies and colorful fruits (I recommend green melon, lil' expensive but very sweet)

From Canal City Hakata, head South along the Naka River for about 500 meters, the market is on your right. (it might not be very easy to find, but it's worth trying)

An open market as it is, you'll find many and many shops along the 2 sides of the small lane. This is where you can find lots of cheap Bento and other home-made takeways. Also wide choices of household delicacies, from kitchen products to cosmetics.

Or even if you wanna bet some luck, there're also a couple of Pachinko centers....

Take a subway to Nishijin Station, the market is just less than 5 minutes walk.

On a quiet and calm evening, just sit back watching people and cute doggies at Ohori Park (Ohorikoen Subway Station) Like the oasis in the middle of the frustrating city, a huge center lake and very green surroundings.

In the park area, there're Fukuoka Art Museum (200Y, 9:30-17:30, closes on Mondays), Yusentei Japanese Garden (200Y, 9:00-17:00, closes on Mondays) and the Fukuoka Catle Ruins which opens for public only on Saturdays.

From Fukuoka's Tower front approach, walk down the street for nearby Fukuoka Public Library and Fukuoka City Museum (or 10 minutes walk from Nishijin Subway Station) 4 Exhibition rooms introducing Japanese's way of life, with very cool virtual and sound system.

Present your Welcome Card (please read my General Tips) for discounts -- 200Y >> 150Y
Museum closes on Mondays