Fukuoka and Hakata are two city names that are often used interchangeably when talking about Fukuoka. Indeed, arriving at Hakata (Shinkansen) Station – in Fukuoka – can be a little confusing for visitors!

Historically, the Nakagawa River has been the border between the two neighbouring cities, Fukuoka to the west and Hakata to the east. Today, a stroll along the cicada-filled riverbanks is an experience in itself.

So where should you stay in Fukuoka – in Hakata, the former mercantile city with an important trading port, or Fukuoka, one of the old castle towns in Japan characterised by a strong samurai culture?

Today, Fukuoka is a modern university town in Japan with young people, spectacular architecture, noodle shops serving the famous Hakata ramen, and extraordinary shopping malls – in addition to traditional temples and fascinating history linked to the ancient castle town and associated samurai culture. A stay in Fukuoka is truly a cultural experience, where you can experience precisely the sides of the city that you find most interesting.

Notable landmarks include the Hakata Port Tower and the Fukuoka Tower. Kawabata Shopping Arcade is Fukuoka’s oldest shopping street, with 130 shops covering everything from gift shops to ramen shops.

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Canal City Hakata is a large entertainment and shopping complex that almost marks the border between Hakata and Fukuoka. With its 250 shops, restaurants, gaming centre, theatre, and more, it can best be described as an open-air ‘city in the city’. As the name suggests, an artificial canal runs through the entire canyon-like complex, which also includes a trickling fountain. The 180 m long canal was designed by the American architect Jon Jerde in 1977 as one of his many unique urban projects in shopping malls around the world. The architecture is spectacular, with a mix of red, blue, and green colours used in the structures, water streams, pool, and lush greenery hanging outside the curvy balconies. Water spray, laser light, and music contribute to the effect.

Photo: Travel In Culture

Photo: Travel In Culture

Inside the mall, you will find a plethora of shops that sell both Japanese and international brands. If you are looking for Hakata culinary specialities, Canal City is also the place to visit. You will find a wide variety of restaurants serving Japanese dishes, including the famous Hakata Ramen. The fifth floor has no less than eight ramen shops in the Ramen Stadium!

If you are looking for where to stay around Canal City in Fukuoka, there are really many options near the shopping complex!

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In central Fukuoka, you will find Ohori Park, which basically consists of a picturesque large pond. The park is attractive for jogging and strolling around – or enjoying by boat – and is a true oasis in the city. Inside the pond, the three islands are connected by bridges and a path, allowing people to get out onto the islands and across the pond.

Right beside Ohori Park, you will find Fukuoka Art Museum, an excellent museum with works by international modern artists such as Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí and exhibits of Buddhist statues.

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Fukuoka Art Museum has an impressive collection of Asian art in the building designed by Maekawa Kunio, located next to the Japanese Garden in Ohori Park. In addition to Western contemporary art and famous international artists such as Chagall, Miró, and Dalí, Japanese local and absolutely world-class creators, such as Shigeru Aoki and Yayoi Kusama, are represented here.

Many visitors come to see Kusama’s characteristic and fascinating giant pumpkin for themselves. Also, the 12th-century seated Buddha statue is one of the main works. Other collections, besides Buddhist art, include local works of pre-modern and modern art by recognised or promising regional artists.

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Maizuru Park surrounds Fukuoka Castle ruins and is situated next to Ohori Park. The park is known for being a popular spot for cherry blossoms and Hanami picnics in the spring. Furthermore, it is an attractive place to go for a walk or enjoy the cultural offers in the area.

Fukuoka Castle dates back to the early 17th century when Kuroda Nagamasa built it. His clan remained in power here until the abolition of the Japanese feudal system in the late 1800s. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the massive castle was the largest in Kyushu. However, this did not last, as Fukuoka Castle was demolished as a result of the Meiji Restoration. That explains why only the ruins of the walls remain today.

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Yanagibashi Market is a 120-metre-long market arcade with over 70 stalls offering fresh, high-quality seafood. It is known as the Fukuoka Kitchen – or rather Hakata’s Kitchen and is recognised as one of the best seafood markets in Japan!

Any visit to Fukuoka should include a visit to the Yanagibashi Market as well as trying some local fish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at one of the local places! Fukuoka has an abundance of fresh fish due to a large variety of fresh fish in the Genkai Sea and the Sea of Japan.

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Tenjin is in central Fukuoka, west of Hakata Station. The district is brimming with restaurants, large department stores and other significant buildings, e.g., Fukuoka City Hall. Yatai stalls, pop-up restaurants, and fashionable cafés are favourite places to go after shopping.

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Tenjin Underground Mall (Tenjin Chikagai) is a gigantic underground mall that offers about 150 stores to the citizens who do not want to leave the area between Tenjin Subway Station and Tenjin-Minami Subway Station – for reasons of convenience (e.g., on rainy days). The mall has existed since 1976 and has become a permanent option in the city.

Visit Tochoji Temple, one of the four most interesting temples and shrines in Hakata northwest of Hakata Station, although there are many more. The other three spectacular ones are the Kushida Shrine with its sumo wrestling stones, Shofokuji, the first Japanese zen temple, and Jotenji – a temple of soba and udon!

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Tochoji Temple was founded in 806 and is thus the oldest temple of the Shingon sect in Japan – it is known in Fukuoka for having the tallest seated wooden Buddha statue in the country. The over 10m tall carved Buddha sits inside a side building of the main hall, where you will also have to find your way through a dark labyrinth to get out – so stay outside if you don’t fancy dark temple corridors! However, the labyrinthine passage used to exit the building has a symbolic significance. Before you enter the darkness, a series of artworks illustrate suffering people in ‘hell’. At the end of the walk, you will reach ‘heaven’ – guided by Buddha in the darkness!

Besides the main building, a beautiful 5-storey pagoda is also on the temple grounds.

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Kushida Shrine in Hakata dates back to 757 when Hakata Port played a significant role in the trade between Japan and China and is one of the oldest shrines in Fukuoka, now the guardian shrine of Hakata. It is known to be a focal point of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival dedicated to this shrine. As the festival’s main venue, it is the starting point for the float race.

Photo: Travel In Culture

Photo: Travel In Culture

The shrine grounds are absolutely fascinating and contain, in addition to the shrine buildings, many remarkable sights, including the huge kakiyama festival floats, a 1000-year-old ginkgo tree, sumo wrestling stones used to demonstrate physical strength, and the crane fountain where drinking the water can guarantee eternal life.

Photo: Travel In Culture

Photo: Travel In Culture

Photo: Travel In Culture

Nakasu is the red-light district of Hakata, with many restaurants, clubs, and bars in the narrow streets of the city island, located between Tenjin and Hakata. Historically, the island has been a key to the city as the bridge island between the two riverbanks. A total of 3,500 establishments are scattered around the area, so this really is the place to go for a night out and perhaps a karaoke experience!

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Street food is one of the popular things here and probably the only true ‘tourist attraction’ in Nakasu. At night, the island is a vibrant area with entertainment and yatai food stalls, the typical eateries that open at the end of the day. They are everywhere – for example, along the Nakagawa River, a popular place to come for a bite to eat. Generally, these are small, temporary restaurants that pop up at night and have seating for less than ten people. Typical things to eat here are the Fukuoka speciality Hakata Ramen, the stew motsunabe, yakitori, and oden.

Take the Shinkansen train to Tokyo and explore the world’s biggest city! Discover the various areas of Tokyo and decide where to stay in Tokyo based on your interests.

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