Plan your trip to Kyushu’s largest city
How do you plan a Fukuoka itinerary so you can get at least a taste of the largest city on the southern main island of Kyushu?
Fukuoka is less crowded than Kyoto, easier to navigate than Tokyo, and loves food almost as much as Osaka. Our family of four visited Fukuoka for three days during a two-month trip to Kyushu. Here’s our take on what to do and what to skip, especially with kids.
Plan your trip to Fukuoka
Watch this Fukuoka itinerary video for our itinerary tips and experience visiting with kids
In this Fukuoka itinerary video we’ll talk about:
- Canal City
- Ramen Stadium
- Nanzoin Reclining Buddha day trip
- Riverside… and why it’s okay to skip the yatai food stalls
- Tenjin Central Park
- Ichiran Ramen
Plan your trip
Why visit Fukuoka?
Sure, when traveling Japan, people love to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The city more and more in the same orbit as this golden group, though, is Fukuoka. Whether a stop all on its own or as a gateway to travel around Kyushu, there’s lots to enjoy in and near Fukuoka.
Plus, Fukuoka’s road and rail connections make it a base to head to Kyushu destinations such as
- Kumamoto (and its One Piece statues)
- Mt. Aso
- Beppu (and the Hells of Beppu)
- Takachiho Gorge
- Kagoshima
- And more
Fukuoka even offers a ferry to South Korea. The international airport is convenient, easy to get to from throughout the city, and has possibly the world’s best airport code: FUK.
What to do in Fukuoka
Canal City shopping center
This water-themed multi-story shopping center is as easy to get to as it is to spot from most anywhere along the river in or around Hakata. A short walk from multiple train stations and bus stops, Canal City is best visited in the evening. Along with checking out the Ghibli store and Shonen Jump shop, end your visit around the 9 pm fountain and light show.
There’s another reason to head to Canal City in the evening: dinner.
Ramen Stadium
Another reason to head to Canal City? Head to the fifth floor. Ramen Stadium isn’t the home of a ramen restaurant. Eight ramen shops fill Ramen Stadium, each with its own decor, style, and particular ramen flair. You can try ramen styles popular throughout Japan, including Sapporo, Kurume, Tokyo, Kyoto, and of course, hometown Hakata.
Tenjin Central Park
Trees and paths line this delightful park. During our January visit, the bright lights in the trees brought out joy not only in us, but in so many people we saw getting some fresh air, social time, and some movement throughout the park.
Plus, Tenjin Central Park is a short walk from Tenjin-minami subway station. It’s a delightful way to get a dose of nature in the middle of Fukuoka.
Ichiran Ramen
Unless you really like waiting in lines, arrive outside of main meal hours. When we arrived one winter evening around six thirty, we had to wait just a few minutes until there were enough stalls open to accommodate the four of us. When we left, however, a line stretched all the way down the building, and staff were setting out markers so new arrivals wouldn’t block the sidewalk.
Ichiran is an iconic ramen style from Fukuoka itself. The rich tonkotsu broth quickly warmed us up on a January night, and we love how cards at your walled, individual stall make it easy for you to customize your bowl or get seconds.
Yes, you can skip the yatai food stalls
Info about Fukuoka goes hand in hand with the city’s iconic yatai, or outdoor food stalls.
On the other hand, they can be pricey, we’ve heard mixed reports about the food, and they’re not particularly kid friendly.
Beer, grilled foods, and conversation? Yes, the yatai can be worth checking out. But if they’re not the right fit for the season you’re visiting or because you are visiting Fukuoka with kids, it’s quite all right to skip the yatai.
You definitely won’t go hungry.
Day trip: Take the train from Hakata Station to the reclining Buddha at Nanzoin Temple
The 41 meter long reclining bronze Buddha here is one of the largest in the world. However, it was only built in 1995.
Visiting Nanzoin is a lush, nature-filled day trip from Fukuoka. Plus, you can head here completely by train.
From Hakata Station, a 20-minute ride on the JR Fukuhoku Yutaka Line, or Sasaguri Line, takes you to Kido Nanzoin-mae Station. Even from the station, you can see the Buddha. A 10-minute walk from the station winds through town and takes you to the overall site.
Nanzoin is far more than just one Buddha statue though. The entire mountainside is covered in paths, temples, shrines, and areas for pilgrimage and prayer.
We enjoyed a lovely day trip here during our stay in Fukuoka. The hillside setting put us into the calm of nature, surrounded by trees and hills.
Keep an eye out not only for the grandeur of the Buddha itself, but touches of joy, peace, and whimsy. For us during our January visit, we took delight in the crocheted hats that someone had made and placed on the heads of many of the statues.
Where to stay in Fukuoka, Japan
We stayed at family friendly Court Hotel Fukuoka Tenjin
The quiet rooms offered serenity when we wanted downtime. Even better? The Court Hotel Fukuoka Tenjin has a convenient location that made it easy to explore Fukuoka:
- 5-minute, 200m walk to Tenjin-minami Station for taking the train to Hakata Station (and shopping center), not to mention Canal City’s Ramen Stadium, Ghibli shop, and Jump Shop
- Across the street from the green space of Tenjin Central Park
- Tucked back from the main street for quiet and comfort, but we could quickly access other main streets for walking to restaurants or attractions
- 10-minute, 500m walk to Kihinkan Hall and ferry terminal in another segment of Tenjin Central Park
- 15-minute, 650m walk to Ichiran Ramen (unless you really like waiting in lines, arrive outside of main meal hours)
- Walking the riverside paths along the Naka River, not to mention checking out Fukuoka’s famous outdoor food stalls, or yatai
The clean lines and renovated space enhanced our comfort in our double bunk bed room. An additional foyer door offered separation from the lobby and common spaces, but we could quickly head to the lobby for the comfy couches and anytime hot beverages.
A downstairs 7-11 offered convenient snacks and breakfast options, but we were also close to many cafes and restaurants. Staying here made it easy to do what we wanted on our Fukuoka itinerary… and we could always duck into the 7-11 for a snack or smoothie!
Book your stay at Court Hotel Fukuoka Tenjin
More places to stay in Fukuoka, Japan
Complete your Fukuoka itinerary: Book tours, activities, and other experiences in and around Fukuoka
Watch the video to find out more about Fukuoka
More about visiting Japan and Kyushu
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