Fukuoka has a lively and diverse urban culture, hosting plenty of events throughout the year and offering things to see and experience from numerous historical monuments and museums to futuristic buildings and entertainment centres.
Ohori Park – A city park in central Fukuoka. The large pond at its centre originally served as a moat for the Fukuoka Castle. For a small entrance fee you can visit the traditional Ohori Park Japanese Garden at the southern end of the park.
Fukuoka Castle – The ruins of Fukuoka Castle are located in the middle of the city in Maizuru Park. The large castle was built in the early 17th century, but today only a few ruined walls and towers remain.
Dazaifu Tenman-Gu Shrine – Located just outside of the Fukuoka city centre, the shrine was built to honour Sugawara Michizane, the god of wisdom. On the shrine’s large grounds you can marvel at the beauty of thousands of Asian apricot trees and irises as well as other seasonal flowers.
Kyushu National Museum – The museum houses a large collection of cultural artefacts, which showcase the history and formation of Japanese culture from the Palaeolithic era all the way until the late 19th century. The glass building with a roof like rolling hills is a unique sight itself.
Canal City – Often called a city within a city. Canal City is a giant five-floored entertainment complex with shops, cafés, restaurants, a theatre, game centre, cinemas, two hotels and a canal that runs right through the complex.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival – Held in mid-July, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is an energetic summer festival that involves teams of men, representing the different districts of Fukuoka, racing through the city’s streets carrying 1-ton floats. Larger and more ornately decorated versions of the floats are already on display in Hakata weeks before the event.