Fukuoka

Eco-friendly travel guide to Fukuoka advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Fukuoka, Japan.

The city view of Fukuoka

Air quality: 4 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.9 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.8 / 5

Public transportation: 3.8 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.9 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.8 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$1100 - $1200

Budget per day: US$1000 - $1100

Responsible Travel

Famous for its beautiful Hakata dolls that are made from clay, Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture. It is situated on the northern shore of the Japanese island of Kyushu. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west of Keihanshin and the most populous city on the island, followed by Kitakyushu. The city is only 200 kilometers from Busan and is popular with South Korean holidaymakers. Further, it is said to be the oldest city in Japan because it is the nearest Japanese city to China and the Korean Peninsula. The city is actually made up of two cities that are separated by the Naka-gawa River – Fukuoka and Hakata.

In addition, the city is also known for ancient temples, beaches, and modern shopping malls, including Canal City. Fukuoka is Japan's sixth-largest city, having passed the population of Kobe. It is the economic center of the Kyushu region, with an economy largely focused on the service sector. They have various services for start-ups like start-up visas, tax reduction, and free business consultations. Fukuoka has the highest business-opening rate in Japan, which makes the city the largest start-up city in Japan, and is the only economic zone for start-ups. Fukuoka is the home of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, one of Japan's top professional baseball teams. Besides, these days the city is famous throughout Japan for its beautiful women (bijin) and huge strawberries.

Being a responsible tourist, you should make optimal use of the environment.

Ensure to maintain the essential ecological processes and help to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

Try to travel using local transport available in the city. This will provide support to the locals. Rented cars, taxis can be some of the best options.

Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of the city. This will be a great step to play your role as a responsible tourist.

Conserve the built and living cultural heritage of the city. Respect their traditional values and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.

Opt to stay in the eco-friendly hotels available in the city. It will positively affect the city to stay pollution-free.

Make sure to explore the unknown places, as you might come across some amazing hidden gems that are not popularly known but are worth visiting.

Try to visit local markets for food and lodging to contribute positively to the economy of the country. You can also taste the street foods offered by the city.

The city has national parks which you should consider visiting while exploring. You can enjoy the beauty of nature in a fresh environment.

Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality if Fukuoka is moderately safe. There are some regions where the pollution is above normal. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Therefore, the governments have taken several measures since the problem started and they have asked the public to play their part positively by eliminating high fuel-based gadgets. The government is also working to keep the air quality level at a proper rate so that the city air remains good. With the help of these measures, they have managed to reduce pollution to a certain level. These authorities are repeatedly working to provide a better life in the city. At the present date, the air quality, and pollution are very much in control. Therefore, you can plan a comfortable trip to Fukuoka.

Fukuoka has a humid subtropical climate, hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters. The city also sees on average precipitation per year, with a stretch of more intense precipitation between the months of June and September. Along with much of the prefecture, Fukuoka City has a moderate climate with an annual average temperature. Spring is warm and sunnier, with cherry blossoms appearing in late March or early April. The rainy season lasts for approximately six weeks through June and July. Summers are humid and hot, and autumn is often considered to be Fukuoka's best season, which is mild and dry.

Respect the Culture

Besides being known for its economy and transportation, Fukuoka is the center of culture. The visitors can really experience Japan in various historic stages that include the high-tech and historical, the cultural, and the truly contemporary. The city is home to many festivals that are held throughout the year. Among these, the most famous are Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Fukuoka’s oldest festival, Yamakasa is held for two weeks each July. Teams of men (no women, except small girls, are allowed), represent different districts in the city. Participants all wear shimekoni, also called fundoshi in other parts of Japan, which are traditional loincloths. Each day of the two-week festival is marked by special events and practice runs, culminating in the official race that takes place the last morning before dawn.

During the festival, men can be seen walking around many parts of Fukuoka in long happi coats bearing the distinctive mark of their team affiliation and traditional geta sandals. Hakata Dontaku is held in Fukuoka City on 3rd and 4th May. It boasts over 800 years of history, which is attended by numerous people, making it the festival with the highest attendance during Japan's Golden Week holidays. During the festival, stages are erected throughout the downtown for traditional performances and a parade of floats is held. Local musicians prided themselves on their origins and dubbed their sound, Mentai Rock. Notable music includes in J-pop.

Top 10 Places to Visit

As known that Fukuoka is one of the best cities for tourist attractions. It holds several sites of attractions and people love to visit the place. It is because there you will get some beautiful spots that have the most attractive views for your holiday trip. Read further to know about some of the interesting spots that are worth visiting, during your tour to the city.

Fukuoka City Museum – This museum opened in 1990 in Fukuoka, it known for displaying the permanent exhibition, which tells the history of Fukuoka and is arranged in eleven sections including those focussing upon the King of Na gold seal (National Treasure), the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, and the Kuroda clan.

Sky Dream Fukuoka – This was a Ferris wheel that operated at Evergreen Marinoa in the city of Fukuoka, Japan, from 2001 until September 2009. It was 120 meters tall, making it the tallest Ferris wheel in Japan during its years of operation. The gondolas were all air-conditioned and accessible for wheelchair users. It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete one revolution.

Ōhori Park – This Park in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka is a registered Place of Scenic Beauty. The name Ōhori means a large moat and it derives from the fact that Kuroda Nagamasa, the old lord of Fukuoka, reclaimed the northern half of a cove or an inlet called Kusagae, which was facing Hakata Bay and made a moat for the Fukuoka Castle. At the same time the Hii (Tajima) River, which was flowing into the cove, was diverted from its course to the west. The present park was reconstructed by Fukuoka City, modeled on the West Lake of China, and opened in 1929. A fireworks festival is held here every August.

Tōchō-ji – This is a Shingon temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan. Its honorary sango prefix is Nangakuzan. It was founded by Kukai, making it the oldest Shingon temple in Kyushu. The temple houses a Senjukannon statue made in the Heian era. It was carved from a single log of Chinese black pine. The statue is only 87 centimeters in height but stands up with a stately atmosphere. Fukuoka Daibutsu, the Great Buddhist statue is also located here. After the Daibutsu of Nara and the Daibutsu of Kamakura, this is the largest statue of a seated Buddha in Japan. The ring of light behind the Buddha is carved with numerous images of Buddha.

Hakozaki Shrine – This is a Shinto shrine in Fukuoka and is dedicated to the veneration of the kami Hachiman. This shrine especially venerates the memory of Emperor Ojin, Empress Jingu, and Tamayori-bime. A number of structures in the shrine complex have been designated as important cultural assets of Japan including the main hall, the worship hall, tower gate, and the main Torii, Ichino-torii.

Hakata Port Tower – Built-in 1964, this is a 103-meter high lattice tower with an observation deck at a height of 73.5 meters in Hakata-Ku, Fukuoka, Japan. It is the older symbol of the city, and is located next to the international ferry terminal, and is free to enter.

Fukuoka Castle – This is a Japanese castle located in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. It is also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle. It lies in the center of Fukuoka, on top of Fukusaki hill. The Naka River, Naka-gawa in Japanese, acts as a natural moat on the eastern side of the castle, while the western side uses a mudflat as a natural moat. Much of the castle grounds have been converted to Maizuru Park, which houses several sports facilities, a courthouse, and an art museum. Some of the castle's gates as well as its towers and turrets, known as yaguras, are preserved inside the park, one of which has been marked as an important historical artifact by the Japanese government.

Jōten-ji – This is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan. It was founded by Enni-Ben’en with support from Xie Guo Ming, a Chinese merchant. Its honorary sango prefix is Banshosan. The Hakata Sennen Gate, the new symbol of the Hakata area, is a wooden four-legged gate with a tile roof and was modeled on Tsuji-no-dokuchi-mon, the gateway of Hakata which appears in ancient documents. It was named in the hope of prosperity for a thousand years in the future of the city of Hakata.

Marine World Umino-Nakamichi – This is a public aquarium in Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka. The aquarium focuses on the aquatic life of Tsushima's warm current and is made up of a total of 70 tanks. The largest is used for dolphin and sea lion shows, the middle contains more than 120 sharks of 20 species, while the last is for dolphins. Other marine mammals at the aquarium include sea otters and spotted seals.

Dazaifu Tenman-gū – This is a Shinto shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane and is one of the main shrines dedicated to Tenjin, the deified form of Michizane. The shrine includes several structures. The grounds also contain two ponds, a bridge, and a treasure house. One pond is a traditional garden style, Shinji ike, named for being shaped to resemble the kanji character for heart.

Jōten-ji

Explore

Above are the mentioned top ten tourist attractions, which you can opt to pay a visit while traveling to Fukuoka. In addition, there are some other places in the city like parks and museums that you can consider checking out during your tour in the city. Here is a list of such places that you can explore.

City Parks

Maizuru Park – This Park is centered round the Fukuoka castle in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city. It is adjacent to the eastern part of Ohori Park in the center of Fukuoka city, and it is a place for citizens to relax. In this neighborhood, based on Maizuru Castle Ruins Future Plan, a maintenance plan is set up that makes the area a historic park. In addition, Maizuru Park has a square surrounded by nature called the vast West Plaza, which is a perfect spot for picnics and walks.

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park – This is a public park located on a narrow peninsula across the bay from central Fukuoka. The park is made up of several different areas that include flower gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, a water park, a zoo, and large open spaces and lawns perfect for picnicking.

Maizuru Park

National Parks

Genkai Kokutei Kōen – This is a Quasi-National Park on the Genkai coast of Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, and Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.

Beaches

Keya Beach – Keya Beach is widely regarded as Fukuoka’s top summer resort. On the Itoshima Peninsula west of Fukuoka City, the village of Keya’s clean crescent-shaped sand beach, lined with cafés and beach houses, shines in a beautiful bay. To the west, low-green mountains merge with scenic boulders at the shore.

Mitoma Beach – Mitoma Beach has conveniently located just a short trip from the city center. The sands are fairly clean and there are no huge crowds during the swimming season.

Keya Beach

Landmarks

Fukuoka Tower – This tall tower is located in the Momochihama area of Fukuoka, Japan. It is the tallest seaside tower in Japan. The highest observation deck at 123m has a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and the most popular time to visit is at sunset. It has a triangular cross-section which is covered with 8000 half-mirrors, giving it the appearance of a skyscraper. Because of this, it has been given the nickname – Mirror Sail. There are three observation decks. One at 116 meters, a café or lounge deck at 120 meters, and the highest at 123 meters above the ground. Above this level rises a 111-meter television mast.

Nanzoin Temple – This is a Shingon sect Buddhist temple in Sasaguri, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is notable for its bronze statue of a reclining Buddha, said to be the largest bronze statue in the world. The reclining Buddha statue, known as either Nehanzo or Shaka Nehan weighs nearly 300 tons. The statue depicts Buddha at the moment of death, or entrance into nirvana. The interior holds the ashes of Buddha and two Buddhist adherents, Ananda and Maudgalyayana. Those relics were a gift from Myanmar as thanks for the sect’s donations of medical supplies to children in both Nepal and Myanmar. Inside the sculpture, sand from each of the 88 shrines that make up the Shikoku pilgrimage is stored below bricks within a narrow hallway.

Nanzoin Temple

Museums

Fukuoka Art Museum – This is an art museum in Fukuoka, Japan. It contains a notable collection of Asian art and exhibits various temporary exhibitions. In 2010 it hosted a large exhibition of Marc Chagall's work. The Madonna of Port Lligat by Salvador Dali is exhibited at this museum. The Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale is held every three years with a different theme. It is organized by The Executive Committee of the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale and began in 1999. It introduces the latest in art from 21 countries and regions throughout Asia. It contains a wide selection of contemporary and other art from around the world, including works by Mark Rothko and Roy Lichtenstein.

Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art – This museum was opened in 1985 in Fukuoka, Japan. The collection focuses upon artists from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kyushu more generally and includes works by Koga Harue. The Museum's precursor, the Fukuoka Prefectural Cultural Hall is a combined art museum with a library.

Fukuoka Art Museum

Eat

Being one of the closest cities to the Asian mainland, Fukuoka has developed a unique and interesting food culture that has been influenced by Korean and Chinese cuisine. Some of the famous Fukuoka dishes include Hakata Ramen and motsunabe, which are liked by a huge population of foreigners who visit the city. Hakata Ramen is a local ramen dish that features thin noodles in a thick, creamy tonkotsu soup, topped with slices of chashu. Further, Motsunabe is a local hot pot dish typically made up of beef or pork tripe, chives, garlic, cabbage, and togarashi peppers in a soy sauce or miso-based soup. The inexpensive, slightly spicy stew is usually cooked at the table on portable burners and served together with a bowl of white rice. Noodles or additional rice may be added to the leftover soup in the pot at the end of the meal to finish the dish.

Mizutaki, a hotpot with chicken soup, is one of the traditional local dishes of Fukuoka. Another famous Fukuoka dish is Mentaiko. It is a common Japanese food that can be found nationwide accompanying rice or alcohol. It is also the spicy version of salted cod roe (tarako), used as filling for rice balls, or as a seasoning in pasta dishes. Mentaiko is particularly famous in Fukuoka, where it originated by way of Korea. Besides, Gyoza is also a famous dish offered in the city. They are pan-fried, Chinese-style dumplings, which are typically stuffed with a mixture of ground pork, cabbage, and green onions. Fugu is another well-known dish served in Fukuoka. It is a blowfish delicacy that can be enjoyed raw as sashimi, in hot pots, or even fried. The famous torafugu (tiger blowfish) is mainly used to prepare this dish.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Nikuo & Bejiko – This famous restaurant is located in Hakataekiminami, Fukuoka. It holds fine dining that serves a great variety of Japanese, Steakhouse, and Grill dishes. The place is decent and is filled with the aroma of the tasty dishes. The atmosphere is calm and pleasant to enjoy the meal of the day. You can consider visiting this place late at night as well as for dinner. They also serve a wide variety of wines to drink including all kinds of red and white, besides non-alcoholic drinks.

Kappo Yoshida – Situated in Tenjin, Chuo in Fukuoka, this restaurant is quite popular in the city for serving quality and quantity food that includes menu options of Kappo, Japanese, and Seafood variations. Facilities like reservations, seating, serves alcohol, table service, and acceptance of credit cards are available here. Everything served here starting from foods to drinks is super delicious and tasteful. Besides, the menu is amazingly affordable. You can opt to have lunch, dinner, and brunch here. The staff is attentive and welcoming.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Salvatore Cuomo Market Hakata – This vegetarian-friendly restaurant is located in Hakataeki Chuogai in Fukuoka. They serve a wide vegan option that includes Mediterranean and European cuisines. Locals love to visit this place as they provide delicious food in a warm and elegant atmosphere. The décor is simple, but the service is top-notch. They also serve a great variety of Italian cuisines including superb pizza options. You will also get a great selection of wine here. The price is reasonable the owner is very attentive and friendly.

Lily Valley – Located in Akasaka, Chuo, this vegetarian-friendly restaurant is known for serving healthy menu option that includes salads, sandwiches, cookies, muffins, and many more. The ambiance is pleasant and they serve great eateries that are fresh and too good in taste. It is a children-friendly, family restaurant. The price is highly affordable and the staffs are helpful. The service is remarkable too. There is a choice of five different lunch sets, most of which also include a homemade vegan muffin and a drink, and it is also possible to order a la carte.

Street Food

Fukuoka’s open-air food stands, popularly known as Yatai are possibly the city’s best-known symbol. Yatai can generally seat about seven or eight people and provide an atmospheric outdoor environment to enjoy various foods that are generally simple and filling. Foods like Yakitori (meat skewers), Hakata ramen which features thin noodles in a creamy tonkotsu (pork bone broth) soup with slices of chashu, gyoza, oden (Japanese hot pot), are served here. Furthermore, alcoholic drinks are also available here.

Drink

A Lemon Sour is one of the most common Japanese alcoholic drinks. It’s made with shochu, soda water, and the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. Shochu is a traditional distilled hard liquor from Japan made from grains or vegetables such as sweet potato, rice, or barley. A Matcha Hai is a highball-style drink made with shochu, soda water, and a mixer. Amazake is a traditional Japanese beverage of sweet fermented rice. It is either completely non-alcoholic or consumed while taking a cup of coffee. Besides, this cafe has really good food and service. You can visit this café for brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also provide a decent drink selection that gives you a fine taste. The price is reasonable and the staffs are nice too.

Tap-water

The tap water in Fukuoka is drinkable. It is obvious that you will not suffer from the scarcity of water in the city as every hotel and local region provides the facility of tap water. Hence, you are suggested to ask the locals about the quality of tap water that flows in different regions of the city. Further, you can opt to fill your bottles anytime during the tour in the city or can consider using the bottled or mineral water that is easily available in the city at a reasonable price.

Organic Cafés

Campbell Early – Located in Hakataeki Chuogai, Hakata City in Fukuoka, this café is a great dessert house. The place is cozy to relax in with a sip of amazing coffee flavors and other beverages. They also offer menu for brunch options and the quick snacks are full of flavors. The staffs are attentive and render a great service. The price is reasonable too. The ambiance is decent with simple décor.

Breweries

The Asahi brewery in Fukuoka city offers factory tours where you can learn more about the brewing process and enjoy tasting some of their freshly-brewed beer. It is one of the most famous and popular breweries in Japan, and its tours give visitors the chance to see behind the scenes their beer production process. The tours are divided into three main sections. First, you take a look at the raw ingredients used to make beer and can touch and taste the malt and hops. After that, the guide takes you through the entire process of making beer and there are plenty of exhibits to look at as you walk around. You can then see the bottling and canning lines in action, which is mesmerizing to watch and gives you a sense of the vast scale of production at the brewery. Finally, you arrive at the main event, which is the tasting area. Here you get to try up to three glasses of different freshly-brewed Asahi beers.

Activities

The city offers various activities that you can do apart from visiting the famous attractions of the city. Nakasu is one of the largest red-light districts in all of Japan and is situated between the Naka River and Hakata River. Therefore, strolling through Nakasu in the evening will assist you to take in the fun vibe and neon lights reflecting off the canal. If you want to have fun in the sun and sea, then grab a surfboard and enjoy one of the best water activities in Fukuoka. With a coastline facing the Genkai Sea, Fukuoka picks up northerly swells coming out of the Sea of Japan and you will find warm water.

As the place experiences low crowds, you will easily be able to surf. Further, you can head to Taito Station or Namco where you will find endless hours of entertainment in some very familiar games like Space Invaders, Super Mario, and skill tester machines. If you are visiting the city in the month of November, then make sure to witness the sumo wrestling match. The Fukuoka Kokusai Center hosts the annual Fukuoka Sumo Tournament over two weeks. One of the best things to enjoy is karaoke, which is a big part of Japanese culture. You will find different venues for karaoke all around the country.

Yoga and Retreats

The city offers several yoga centers that you can opt for according to your preference. These yoga centers will assist you to feel calmer. In just a few minutes of investing the time, you will get the desired result of relaxation and regain the energy. Hence, doing yoga is said to be the best solution to get relief from the tiredness after a whole day’s journey in exploring the city. It will also assist you to restore your peaceful mind besides providing you relief from getting restless. You can also meditate after the yoga session.

Accommodation

As this city remains crowded with tourists throughout the year, the accommodation facility here is highly maintained all across. To keep the city pollution-free and reduce waste, this city offers some green hotels, besides apartments, hostels, and guest houses. Besides, this lodging structure is truly engrossing.

Green Hotels

Green Hotels are widely available in the city and are very much in demand, especially among eco-friendly tourists. They are known to provide all the basic facilities that any individual gets in an average hotel. These hotels are known to play a positive role in the betterment of the city’s atmosphere. In addition, the cost of these hotels can be comparatively low or similar to the normal hotels available in the city.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion
Hotel Nikko Fukuoka
Plaza Hotel Premier
Canal City Fukuoka Washington Hotel
Hotel Unizo Hakataeki Hakataguchi

Hostels and Guest Houses

The hostels and guest houses available in the city are quite affordable. These lodging systems are highly suitable for the ones, who are planning to stay in the city for two or three weeks. These lodging facilities available in the city ranges from expensive to low-budget ones. In addition, some of these lodging benefits also provide the options of sharing rooms, which will assist you to save money. Being a tourist, you will get some extra benefits apart from all the basic benefits.

Fukuoka Youth Hostel
Tonagi Hostel & Café
WeBase Hakata Hostel
Fukuoka Guesthouse Hive
Guest House Nakaima
Fukuoka Guesthouse Ship

Apartments

Apartments help you to save a lot of money in the long stays. It also provides many advantages and benefits for tourists to stay comfortable during the tour. These lodging options are considered to be the best if your lodging duration is of more than a month. Besides, you can freely stay in the city for business purposes or for study. Therefore, there are many cheap to expensive apartments available in different ranges which provides some premium features to the tourists. In most of the apartments, you will be surrounded by local people who will help you to know and observe their lifestyle more closely.

Grand Base Hakata Sumiyoshi
Apartment Hotel Tenjin Tumugu
Grand Base Fukuoka
Parkside Inn Hakata
Forest Inn Tenjinminami

Couchsurfing

Fukuoka is one of the cities in Japan, where Couchsurfing is widely available. This option of accommodation is one of the best ways for tourists to save money and explore the culture more closely in the travel location. As it takes a lot of time to find someone as a host and discuss the stay and other things with, make sure to look for it from a very early time to get all the things prepared before starting the journey.

Camping

Camping is for people who like to stay close to nature while exploring the amazing views of mountains, forests, lakes, and other suitable places. These places have beautifully landscaped grounds. They are available at affordable prices and provide very eye-catching and amazing views that tourists look for. Further, the campsites provide all the basic facilities like toilets, food arrangements, and others that can ensure your stay be pleasant and relaxing as highly possible. The city offers amazing campgrounds that are located in and around the city.

How to Get There

The city of Fukuoka has well-connected and highly-maintained transportation services that are widely available in the city. If you are traveling from nearby cities, then you can prefer buses that widely cover various regions in and around the city. Airways is the most suitable and fastest way to get in the city as compared to others. Furthermore, the roadways that link the city with other destinations are also well-interlinked. The facility of buses and trains are also available. You can also opt to travel through waterways that are connected to the island of the city. The options of rental cars, taxis and, bikes to cover the distance inside the city.

Air

Fukuoka Airport, to the east of the city, surprisingly close to the city center, the domestic terminal is 2 subway stops away from the Hakata JR station. Within the country, Japan Airlines and ANA fly to Fukuoka from larger cities, including Tokyo (both Haneda and Narita), Osaka (Itami and Kansai), and Nagoya (Komaki and Centrair Airport). There are scheduled flights to most major cities in China and South Korea, as well as Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, and Manila but the only scheduled transpacific flights are to Honolulu and Guam. The airport has a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal. The subway station is under the Domestic Terminal. The International Terminal is on the opposite side of the runway and requires a 10-min bus transfer to or from T2.

Fukuoka Airport

Bus

Many overnight bus services run into Fukuoka from other parts of the country. The Moonlight overnight bus runs from Osaka Umeda to Fukuoka, the Kyoto overnight bus runs from Kyoto to Fukuoka, and the oddly-named Dontaku runs from Nagoya to Fukuoka. Willer Express has a service from Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe with advance purchase tickets. Other services are Nagoya, Okayama, and Hiroshima. Further, Nishitetsu bus runs an overnight service, the Hakata, from the Shinjuku expressway bus terminal in Tokyo to Fukuoka non-stop. It is Japan's longest overnight bus service.

A top open bus

Train

Fukuoka's main station is named Hakata. Hakata Station is the dividing point between the Sanyo Shinkansen (from the north) and Kyushu Shinkansen (from the south) lines. Sanyo Shinkansen services are offered from Kokura in Kitakyushu, Hiroshima, Okayama, and Osaka; and through the Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto by Nozomi, Nagoya by Nozomi, and Tokyo by Nozomi.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you cannot use Nozomi that runs between Tokyo and Hakata, and Mizuho runs between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo via Hakata, so if you are traveling from Tokyo or Nagoya you will have to take one of the two hourly Hikari trains from Tokyo and switch at Shin-Osaka (its alternatives are Shin-Kobe, Okayama, and sometimes Himeji) to a Sakura (or Hikari runs between Shin-Osaka and Hakata only late in the evening) service.

Another option from Tokyo is to take a westbound sleeper express such as the Sunrise Izumo or Sunrise Seto, leaving Tokyo, and then connecting to the Shinkansen at Okayama (or Himeji), to arrive in Fukuoka. From Kagoshima, Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho and Sakura trains make the run to Fukuoka. As with the Nozomi service, the Mizuho service is not valid for tourists traveling on a Japan Rail Pass. Most Sakura trains do travel through Fukuoka, connecting Kagoshima to Osaka with no transfers. From Nagasaki, the limited express Kamome runs hourly (sometimes twice an hour), each way.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is the method of taking a lift to reach other locations while being on your way has become very common in different cities located across the world. As the city is well connected with roadways that link to other nearby locations, you will easily be able to hitchhike your way through the city. Also, you can cover the nearby distance with a comfortable ride and in a short time duration. This will help you to gain some of the best experiences on your way to the city as there are plenty of views to admire along the way.

Others

There is boat service from Busan to Fukuoka – JR Kyushu Ferry operates hydrofoil service three times each day. Camellia Line operates a ferry; if overnight, it may stop and wait in front of Busan Port in the morning until Korean Immigration opens. An economy-class ticket on the Meimon Taiyo Ferry from Osaka to Kitakyushu, tickets in other price ranges are available.

Moving Around

The city provides you several options to visit the interior of the city. Therefore, getting an idea about the various modes of traveling will help you get familiar with transport services available in Fukuoka. Being a tourist, you should always opt to go with the transportation options that will help you to spend less money and get the chance to explore more. Hence, you can opt for transport services like bicycles, cars, etc.

Walk

Downtown is small and compact enough to potentially wander around on foot. Also, it is one of the best ways of traveling when you want to explore the nearby market areas without missing anything. It is not only the best eco-friendly mode of transportation but also the most common way to get around the city and explore the interiors. Walking down the lanes and streets will also help you to understand the culture of the city.

Bicycle

Getting a hold of a bicycle is probably the best way to get around. In Tenjin, there are long-term underground parking areas and are free for the first 3 hours. In addition to the free parking in Tenjin, street bicycle meters are another great spot to park a bike. Much like many shopping centers around the world. For safer bicycle parking, use two bike locks and chain the front and back tires to the body of the bike.

Electronic Vehicles

The service of the electric car is available in the city. You will get its service from the Fukuoka Airport Domestic Terminal. Further, the city has also established charging stations in the city for the smooth functioning of these electric cars.

Public Bus

There is a special pass for overseas tourists for one-day unlimited rides on buses, trains, and subways, with some discounts at sights. Fukuoka is well served by Nishitetsu buses. Taxis are also available. Some drivers speak English, but it's best to have your destination written down in Japanese if you do not speak the language. Velotaxis are also available for the greater Tenjin area. Also, an environmentally friendly option is the human-operated bicycle taxis.

Tram, Train and Subway

In the Tenjin area, Tenjin Chikagai runs under Watanabe Street and has many shops. It also connects the Tenjin and Tenjin-Minami subways stations with most major department stores and the Nishitetsu Fukuoka station. There is a passenger tunnel that connects Hakata and Gion subway stations and is useful during the frequent rains in summer and the bitter cold winds in winter, the latter of which is close to some of Fukuoka's temples and shrines.

Sustainable Shopping

From clothes to accessories, you will find various types of items while exploring the markets of the city. Instead of casual shopping, people around the world are now opting for sustainable shopping that helps to shop lovely things at low costs and decreases the waste of the city. You will be able to see some of the popular markets in the city that offer antique and vintage items.

Food Markets

Fukuoka is no exception and offers a variety of great food markets worth experiencing. The most popular is Yanagibashi Market, which is locally known as Hakata's Kitchen. It is famous for its many great food vendors and fresh produce stalls. Further, you can also consider visiting the Nagahama Seafood Market.

Flea Markets

The Kawabata Shopping Arcade, located in the Hakata Old Town area, holds more than 130 years of history is the oldest shopping arcade in the city of Fukuoka. It is known for housing more than 130 businesses, including age-old establishments to newly opened shops that sell everything from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs to clothing. Its wide variety of dining establishments and specialty shops are thriving and open for business daily.

Second Hand Stores

The thrift stores located in the city are often run for charitable purposes. Besides, they are known for providing a big collection of used books, and souvenirs that include paintings, handicrafts, furniture, kitchen supplies, and many more. Hence, you are recommended to visit these stores to supports the locals of the city.

Eco-Fashion

The city holds some of the stores and shops that sell eco-fashion clothes that are highly produced by various brands. Hence, it is considered to be a part of sustainable clothes. They are launched to provide an alternative to chemically treated clothing. The clothing and other goods under eco-fashion are made from recycled materials or otherwise produced by methods that are not harmful to the environment.

Recycling

Recycling helps to reduce the toxins that harm the environment. Therefore, the country as a whole has started this process early and the waste products of the country are gathered for the recycling process. Besides, the government is planning to increase the recycling product percentage to bring change to the country. They have taken various measures in the last few years to recycle as much they can and make the country free from wastes.

Waste

The country has taken the necessary steps to improve the environment and reduce waste collection. Further, the collection of the waste products has assisted to keep the city clean and free from impurities. The waste management organisation is working to take the necessary steps to reduce the waste, which will further help the urban living style better.

Work and Study Abroad

The educational system in Fukuoka is highly considerable. There are many colleges available in the city which offer benefits like exchange students that help the students to study in the country at a low cost. Furthermore, the city also offers various types of jobs, which can be helpful for many workers who come from different countries with the purpose to earn a lot.

Exchange Student

An exchange student program is highly served by the colleges and universities of the city. The best thing about this facility is that students can study at foreign universities only with the college fee. They assist to provide an effective way of education to foreign students from across different countries.

Au Pair

Au pair is a useful job service that provides a good source of income for outsiders. The benefit of this facility is that it will provide you with the convenience to be able to get shelter, food, and even some money. Any person can get this facility under which they have to work for a host family and take care of the house, children, or elderly person.

Volunteering

Volunteering is highly conducted across the city. Working weekly or monthly as a helping hand for the betterment of society is really admirable and contributes towards the noble cause. Many people love to participate in the social events organized under volunteering.