This is an example four-day Fukuoka travel itinerary to help you plan your trip. In this blog post, you’ll get my travel plans from my last trip and ideas of things to do, eat and see in Fukuoka, Japan.
Fukuoka, the largest city on Japan’s Kyushu island, is an important harbor city due to its proximity to China and Korea. Fukuoka is known for its amazing food scene (it’s the home of the famous Hakata Ramen!), impressive temples, museums, shopping, and access to beaches.
Example Fukuoka Travel Itinerary
See below for itinerary details from my last trip to Fukuoka. This was my second visit, and our itinerary was very different from the first time (mostly because we stayed in a different part of Fukuoka). Fukuoka is a large city! You can do many things within Fukuoka prefecture, but I’d also recommend taking day trips to surrounding prefectures while you’re in the Kyushu area!
This is the full itinerary used to plan the trip shown in the YouTube video below!
Looking for more things to do in Japan? See more Japan travel vlogs and itineraries here ➡️ Japan Travel Series Playlist
Day One – Travel Day
📍Arrive at Hakata Station
📍Amistad Hotel Fukuoka
We stayed at this hotel because it was the cheapest hotel where we could get one room with two twin beds. The room was spacious, and the hotel is within walking distance of Hakata Station.
- Address: 3 Chome-13-12 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0011, Japan
- Website: https://www.amistad-hotel-fukuoka.com/
📍37 PASTA at Hakata Station
After dropping off your bags, grab dinner at one of the restaurants at Hakata Station. You can find various restaurants and shops at the large station, but we decided to eat at 37 Pasta. They have lots of pasta options ranging from traditional to Japanese-style pasta. I got the Hakata Mentaiko & Seafood Spaghetti with Ikura.
- Address: JR Hakata City 9F, 1-1 Central Street, Hakata Station, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Website: https://stillfoods.com/37PASTA/
Day Two – Day Trip to Yanagawa
📍White Glass Coffee
Grab your morning breakfast and coffee (or tea) at White Glass Coffee. Located near Hakata Station, this coffee shop has a relaxing atmosphere with seating both inside and out. (Pro tip: Get their avocado toast!)
They have locations in Shibuya and Fukuoka.
- Address: 3-chōme-16-3 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0011, Japan
- Instagram: @whiteglasscoffee
- Website: https://whiteglasscoffee.com/
📍Yanagawa
Take a day trip to a city in southern Fukuoka known as the “City of Water,” Yanagawa. Yanagawa is also known as the “Venice of Kyushu“ because of the canal waterways that run throughout.
Yanagawa is a little over an hour away from Hakata City and is popular for its wide canals and river boats called “donkobune.”
📍Yanagawa Shougetsu Punting Station
Take a riverboat tour downstream the canals and through the neighborhoods. During your ride, the boat captain will skillfully guide the boat using a long pole, tell you the story of the city’s history, and sing a few traditional songs.
You can choose to take a regular group tour or a private one. Reservations are not needed for group tours, and boats leave every 30 minutes during business operating hours. Tours last about one hour.
- Address: 329 Mitsuhashimachi Takahatake, Yanagawa, Fukuoka 832-0826, Japan (MAPCODE: 69 875 573*40)
- Website: https://www.yanagawakk.co.jp/index_e.html
📍Motoyoshiya Okinohata (Unagi Restaurant)
When in Yanagawa, you must get the Unagi no seiro-mushi, which is eel steamed in a bamboo basket and served with rice, sweet sauce, and thinly sliced egg.
This location is one of three restaurant locations. The original restaurant has been in business for over 300 years and is the one that first introduced this now-famous Yanagawa dish to the world in 1615.
- Address: 12 Okinohatamachi, Yanagawa 832-0065 Fukuoka Prefecture
Other things to do in Yanagawa (not featured in the video):
- 📍Tachibana-tei Ohana – Home of the Tachibana samurai clan.
- 📍Shoto Garden
- 📍Yanagawa Dolls Festival
- 📍Nakayama Kumono Shrine (wisteria)
Day Three – Daizafu Tenmangu
📍Dean & Deluca at Hakata Station
Grab a quick bite to eat at Dean & Deluca. Located at the bottom level of Hakata Station.
There are tables to sit inside, but I don’t recommend this place if you have a big group or want a regular “sit down” experience. Dean & Deluca is more of a grab-your-drink (coffee & tea), food (pastries, desserts, and some sandwiches), and go type of place.
- Address: Located in AMU B1F in Hakata Station (more info here)
- Website: https://www.deandeluca.co.jp/
📍Umenokura at Daizafu Station
Next to the popular Ichiran Ramen restaurant is a small udon shop called Uemnokura. You can find this small shop located to the side of Daizafu Station.
- Address: 2 Chome-6-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117, Japan
📍Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Fukuoka’s largest Shinto shrine, Dazaifu Tenmangu, enshrines the deity of learning, culture, and the arts. You’ll see lots of students come here to receive academic achievement, luck, and knowledge. It’s the most popular shrine in Fukuoka, so I recommend getting there early and going on a weekday to beat the crowds!
A shopping street with confectionery shops, cafes, souvenirs, and restaurants leads up to the shrine grounds. One of the places you’ll see along the shopping street is a popular Starbucks designed by architect Kengo Kumo.
The area is famous for umegae mochi, a sweet rice cake filled with hot azuki red bean paste. Many shops make these fresh and sell them along the street.
You are greeted with large ponds and drum bridges as you enter the shrine grounds. The main hall (honden) was constructed in 1591. (Fun fact: The original building was constructed over a thousand years ago, in 919!!).
At the shrine, you can receive blessings from amulets, and omikuji, or rub the head of one of the ox statues in the area to acquire knowledge.
The best time to visit Daizafu Tenmangu is when the plum blossoms bloom (approx. early Feb to mid-March). But, you’ll be able to find beautiful flowers blooming around the shrine year-round, plus the fall foliage in the area is impressive.
- Address: 4 Chome-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117, Japan
- Website: https://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/en/
📍Kyushu National Museum
The shrine area is gigantic, with lots to see in addition to the main hall. If you walk further up the road, you will stumble upon the Kyushu National Museum. Inside the museum, you can learn more about Japanese history.
Whether you go inside the museum or not, I recommend checking out the building itself and then taking the road behind the museum for a scenic walk back to the shrine grounds.
- Address: 4 Chome-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0118, Japan
- Website: https://www.kyuhaku.jp/en/
📍CoRicco Cafe
On your walk back to the shrine grounds from the museum, you’ll find a tiny coffee shop called CoRicco Cafe. This cafe is a true hidden gem located about a 2-minute walk from Daizafu Shrine. The atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in somebody’s home. It’s very warm and inviting. I got the drip coffee and a cheesecake. Both were delicious.
- Address: 4 Chome-2-46 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117, Japan
- Website: https://coricco.com/pages/coriccocafe
📍Tenjin Christmas Market (winter activity)
Honestly, I’m not sure I would recommend going to this only because of how crowded it was. I felt very stressed being so squished. You can see a glimpse of what it was like in my vlog but… yeah. I’ve been to other Christmas markets in Japan and, between you and me, this one you can skip 🙂
📍そば茶屋 華元 博多大丸店 (Soba in Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin)
After the Christmas Market, check out the restaurants in the Daimaru shopping center. We ended up at this restaurant solely because soba sounded great at the time.
I recommend getting the soba and tempura set. The tempura here is fried perfectly with just the right amount of batter. This was also the first time I’d ever seen UME TEMPURA!
- Address: Japan, 〒810-0001 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Tenjin, 1 Chome, 4?1
- Website: https://www.gen-food.jp/hanagen/
Day Four – Visit the Nanzoin Temple
📍Starbucks at Hakata Station
Before starting the day, grab a quick bite to eat at the Starbucks in Hakata Station. (Most of my morning meals when traveling tend to be quick meals versus sit-down). I liked this Starbucks because you get a nice window view of the bustling station below and they have lots of outlets!
📍Nanzoin Temple (Reclining Buddha)
Visit the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue at the Nanzoin Temple. The statue itself is 41m long and 11m high (making it comparable to the New York Statue of Liberty!). The temple is located twenty minutes via train from Hakata Station and about five minutes walk from the nearest station.
On the way to the temple, you will cross the Melody Bridge, which has a xylophone on both sides of the bridge. You can play the xylophone as you cross the bridge by using one of the mallets available.
All around the temple and at the train station, you will find signs that remind you that the temple is not a sightseeing spot. No eating, loud noises, revealing clothing, or tattoos allowed. The temple offers free clothes and coverings if you have tattoos or are wearing anything deemed too revealing. All of this is meant to preserve the atmosphere.
It’s rare to find a reclining Buddha in Japan; most are sitting in meditation. Most Reclining Buddhas are found in South East Asia. The reclining stance represents Buddha entering enlightenment at the point of his death.
Attached to the Buddha, you will find a ribbon that leads to an offering box. It is said that you receive spiritual power from Buddha if you hold the ribbons while praying.
- Address: 1035 Sasaguri, Kasuya District, Fukuoka 811-2405, Japan
📍Tamaya
After visiting the temple, grab lunch at Tamaya, located at the entrance of the temple.
- Address: 987 Sasaguri, Kasuya District, Fukuoka 811-2405, Japan
- Website: https://sasaguri-tamaya.com/
📍Canal City Hakata
Shop, eat, and watch the epic fountain shows with 3D mapping at the Canal City shopping center. There is always some sort of entertainment happening here. It’s a great place to get your souvenirs or relax and watch the fountain shows. There’s something here for everyone!
- Address: 1-2, Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 812-0018
- Website: https://canalcity.co.jp/english
📍CAFFE OTTO. Cyclo
We stopped here because there’s a coffee shop with wifi, outlets, and a fountain view. Perfect if you need to do some work while traveling or just want to sit and catch up with friends.
- Address: Japan, 〒812-0018 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Sumiyoshi, 1 Chome−2−1 キャナルシティ博多センターウォーク 4F
- Website: https://www.otto-web.net/
📍Hakata Tempura Takao (Canal City)
Place your order outside at the vending machine (put your money in, press what you’d like to order, receive a ticket and your change). Once seated inside, give them your ticket, and they’ll bring your tempura to you served fresh. I love this place because you can actually see them cooking the tempura in front of you.
- Address: Located on the fourth floor in Canal City.
- Website: https://canalcity.co.jp/english/shop/detail/57#cat1_1r
Other highlights at Canal City:
- 📍Kirby Cafe (reservations highly recommended; make them here)
- Lots of tax free shops!
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Great Itinerary, Thanks for sharing!!!