Japan
Fukuoka
The closest Japanese city to Korea, compact enough to cover on foot around Hakata and Tenjin.
Updated August 15, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
- Gateway airport
- Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
- Best season
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Sights covered
- 40 places
Sights worth seeing
See all 40 →
Temples & religious sites
Fukuoka Mosque
Fukuoka Mosque (formally the Fukuoka Masjid Al-Noor Islamic Cultural Center) is a mosque in Hakozaki, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City. It opened in April 2009 and is known as the first mosque in the Kyushu region.
Nature
Hakata Bay
Hakata Bay lies northwest of Fukuoka City on Kyushu, facing the Tsushima Strait. With beaches and a port close to downtown, it offers easy access to the sea from the city center, and much of its shoreline has been reclaimed over the course of urban expansion, so port facilities and parks now sit side by side along the coast.
Museums & galleries
Fukuoka Art Museum
The Fukuoka Art Museum holds both Western and Asian art, with rotating special exhibitions alongside its permanent collection. It has previously hosted major shows such as one on Chagall, and these exhibitions spotlighting particular artists or themes are often the main reason to visit. The museum sits inside Ohori Park, making it easy to combine with a stroll through the park.
Temples & religious sites
Shōfuku-ji Temple
Shōfuku-ji is a temple of the Myōshin-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism located in Kosho-machi, Hakata, and is known as Japan's oldest Zen temple. It was founded by Eisai with the patronage of Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate, and a plaque said to be written by Yoritomo himself hangs at the temple's mountain gate.
Castles & palaces
Fukuoka Castle
Fukuoka Castle is a Japanese castle built in the early Edo period by the tozama daimyo Kuroda Nagamasa, also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle. Most of the original structures are gone today, but the walls, stone ramparts, moat, and turret ruins remain, giving visitors a sense of the castle's original scale.
Temples & religious sites
Hakozaki Shrine
Hakozaki Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Fukuoka, counted among the Hachiman shrines found across Japan. It is less a flashy tourist attraction than a place locals visit to worship, and its worth lies in the calm atmosphere you can feel while walking the grounds. It makes for a quiet stop to break up a day of sightseeing in the city.
Museums & galleries
Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art
This museum opened in 1985 on the former site of the Fukuoka Prefectural Culture Hall (opened 1964), which had combined a museum and library. Its collection centers on works by artists from Fukuoka Prefecture and the wider Kyushu region, including pieces by surrealist painter Harue Koga. It suits travelers who'd rather explore regional art at a quiet pace than visit a large-scale museum.
Temples & religious sites
Sōfuku-ji Temple
Sōfuku-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka. Its formal mountain name is Yokotake-san; the temple was founded in Dazaifu in 1240 by the monk Tan'e, and later moved to its current location in 1600 after becoming the family temple of the Kuroda clan.
How many days do you need?
Routes grouped by travel distance so each day stays comfortable.
Average temperature by month
5-year average
Getting there
Check flights to Fukuoka first
Pick a departure airport and date to jump straight to results for Fukuoka Airport (FUK).
Check fares and seat availability on the flight search site.
Getting around the city
What you will actually use to get around Fukuoka, and whether you need a car.
- Metro & rail
- Three subway lines. The Hakata–Tenjin stretch is the spine of most itineraries and only a few stops apart.
- Buses & trams
- Nishitetsu buses are dense, so buses are genuinely useful here, with a flat-fare zone downtown for short hops.
- Transit cards & payment
- Hayakaken, Suica and ICOCA all work.
- Airport to city
- Fukuoka Airport is two subway stops from Hakata Station, with a free shuttle between terminals. The airport sits right by the city.
- Car rental
- Not needed in the city. Consider it if you are adding the Yufuin or Beppu hot springs.
Book transport
Fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them here. Check the operator or the booking site for current prices and schedules.
Getting to other cities
Useful when you're combining several cities. Times are approximate; fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them.
Transit options connecting Osaka and Fukuoka.
- Train(Shinkansen) · approx. 2 hrs 30 mins Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Flight · approx. 1 hrs 10 mins (based on flight time) Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Express Bus · approx. 9~10 hrs(overnight) Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Ferry · approx. 11~12 hrs(overnight) Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Transit options connecting Fukuoka and Kyoto.
- Shinkansen(High-Speed Train) · approx. 2 hrs 30 mins to 3 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Flight · flight approx. 1 hrs, 공항 이동 포함 total approx. 3 hrs or more Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Express Bus · approx. 10 hrs to 11 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Car / Drive · approx. 6 hrs to 7 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Transit options connecting Fukuoka and Okinawa.
- Flight · incl. airport transfer approx. 3 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Transit options connecting Tokyo and Fukuoka.
- Flight · flight approx. approx. 2 hrs, incl. airport transfer door-to-door approx. 3~4 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Shinkansen · approx. 5 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
- Express / Night Bus · approx. 9~10 hrs Convenient transit between the two cities. Please check official booking sites for current schedules.
Fukuoka Tours & Experiences Booking
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Klook
Tiqets
KKday
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Airalo
Yesim
Saily
Drimsim
Where to stay
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Visit stories: Fukuoka
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Guides by theme
Best value
Where should you stay in Fukuoka for the best value?
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5-star & luxury
Where should you stay in Fukuoka for a 5-star or luxury trip?
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Pool villas & resorts
Where to Stay in Fukuoka for a Pool Villa or Resort-Style Getaway
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Family travel
Where should families base themselves in Fukuoka: Hakata, Tenjin, or near the sights?
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Couples & honeymoon
Where to Stay in Fukuoka for Couples: Tenjin, Hakata, or Ohori Park?
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Central & near stations
Where should you stay in Fukuoka if you want to be near the subway and stations?
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Best time to visit
When is the best time to visit Fukuoka, Japan?
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First-time guide
How Should First-Time Visitors Plan a Trip to Fukuoka, Japan?
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Getting around
How to get around Fukuoka: subway, walking, and the airport link
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