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Your guide in visiting Fukuoka, Japan
How to get to Fukuoka?
Where to stay in Fukuoka?
What to do & see & eat in Fukuoka?
HOW TO GET TO FUKUOKA?
Fukuoka is the largest city in the island of Kyushu and the capital of the prefecture. Fukuoka is often a gateway to the island of Kyushu where one could visit the other sites that the island have to offer (e.g. Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Mt.Aso Volcano, Beppu hot springs and Kagoshima in the south) . Most visitors will arrive in Fukuoka by train or airplane. The Shinkansen (bullet train) stops right in the city at Fukuoka main station called Hakata station. Fukuoka airport is also in the city which is fantastic because it is only a 10 minutes subway ride away from Hakata station.
WHERE TO STAY IN FUKUOKA?
Spending a night or two will probably give you more than enough time to experience what the city have to offer. It will be a great starting point for your exploration of the Kyushu island. Although Fukuoka city is not that big compared to other major cities in Japan, staying close to Hakata Station have its advantages. You could easily spend a whole day in the huge complex of the station. As with all major Japanese train stations, Hakata Station not only houses the train station but huge department stores, shops and restaurants. The huge complex is called JR Hakata City which was completely rebuilt in 2011. Hotel Forza, which is beside Hakata Station, will be a good choice if you are staying in Fukuoka for one or two nights.
WHAT TO SEE & DO & EAT IN FUKUOKA?
The shopping mall is called AMU Plaza which is 10 stories high and houses more than 200 shops. It includes the first Kyushu branch of Tokyo Hands which is a famous hobby, home improvement and lifestyle department store in Japan. On the top floors as with all Japanese shopping malls and department stores, the whole floor is dedicated to restaurants. In this case, the two top floors are all restaurants. The other half of the complex is the Hankyu Department Store. Another department store called Mauri is also planned to be opened in fall 2016 in the adjacent building. The area around JR Hakata City is also very vibrant and a large Yodobashi Camera department store (Large Japanese Electronic Department store) can also be found.
Exploring Hakata could easier take the whole morning and picking up a quick breakfast at Mister Donut inside AMU Plaza will be a great choice. Mister Donut is a very famous donuts chain store in Japan.
The basement of all Japanese department stores in Japan is the food hall. It is like a large supermarket that sells everything from cooked food to fruits, vegetables and desserts. It is a great place to pick up some Japanese cakes and biscuits for souvenirs. The basement of Hankyu Department store in Hakata City is no different. It is definitely worth a visit if you have never visited a Japanese department store food hall before.
Another major area in Fukuoka is Tenjin. Tenjin is only 3 subway stop from Hakata Station. Tenjin is the major downtown core in Fukuoka. From shopping, entertainment, restaurants to nightlife; they all can be found in Tenjin. The main street is called Watanabe-dori where major department stores such as Mitsukoshi are located. Many more interesting shops, restaurants and streets are scattered around this area. 8 Things To Do In Tenjin.
Among these are the famous Hakata ramen shops. Hakata ramen is type of ramen that is very popular in Japan and all over the world. Ramen is basically a Japanese noodle soup dish. Hakata ramen is famous for its rich, milky, pork-bone tonkotsu broth and thin noodles. Hakata ramen restaurants are all over Fukuoka and there are two “chains” that are the most famous of them all. They are Ippudo and Ichiran. Both of these ramen restaurants are all over Japan and they are also found outside of Japan as well.
Ichiran is not only famous for its Ramen but how it is served. The distinct feature of the restaurant is where you are seated at your own booth. You fill out an order form and hand it to a staff which you do not see under a curtain in front of you. Your Ramen will then be brought to you by the staff again under the curtain. Ichiran first shop outside of Japan is in Hong Kong.
Ippudo is a Ramen shop that was started in Fukuoka in 1985. The original shop is still found at the Daimyo District beside Tenjin. In 30 years, Ippudo have opened shops in major cities all over the world such as London, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong and Beijing. The original Ippudo shop in Daimyo still sell ramen made from soup stock based from the original recipe in 1985. It is a must visit for ramen lovers. I found the noodles also to be slightly different and more tasty than other Ippudo shops that I have visited in Japan and around the world.
Today #ippudo #ramen is all over the world but it all started here @IPPUDO_DAIMYO at 1985 #fukuoka #Daimyo District pic.twitter.com/bbwMgpo9Kd
— Calvin (@calvye) January 16, 2016
The area around Daimyo is also full of trendy shops and cafes. It will be a great afternoon wandering around its streets and spend sometime people watching at its many cafes. The one I visited is called Sunny Side Up and it has a lovely ambiance. The streets around this area is also worth exploring.
Fukuoka is not only famous for its Ramen. When foodies talk about Fukuoka, Yatai will always be on the list of must try foodie experiences in Fukuoka. Yatai is something very local to Fukuoka as it can be found all over the city with concentration in Nakasu along the Naka River and along the streets in Tinjin. Yatai is basically food stalls that are found along the street. They serve everything from Ramen to yakitori and are opened only at night and late into the night. Those in Tinjin seems to be more popular with the locals where those on Nakasu are more touristy.
The one I went to is called Kokinchan 小金ちゃん on a side street in Tinjin. An Yatai experience is a must do in Fukuoka. The food can be a hit or miss but it is an experience to try yourself. What best for a late night snack than having beer and skewers sitting in a food stall beside the Naka River or streets of Tinjin. This is Fukuoka!
#小金ちゃん #屋台 #Yatai experience #福岡市 #fukuoka open air food stands pic.twitter.com/uAHloysWtG
— Calvin (@calvye) January 16, 2016
You can fill up yourself with food rather quickly only in 24 hours but there are many more healthy alternatives to do in Fukuoka such as Ohori Park and Fukuoka Seaside Park and Aquarium. If you need more inspiration, here are 10 things to do in Fukuoka from TimeOut and 40 Things to Do In Fukuoka from Japan Talk.
