• Fukuoka Castle Remains - Once a vibrant site during the Edo period (early 1600s), today it stands as the remnants of stone walls, moats, and gates. The panoramic view of Fukuoka city from Fukusaki Hill is truly breathtaking. The Sakura Festival is the ideal time to visit and appreciate the full beauty of the castle ruins.
• Sumiyoshi Shrine - As one of the oldest shrines on Kyushu, Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, like its Osaka counterpart, is dedicated to the protective deities of seafarers. It is the last in a series of shrines sailors would visit before setting sail. The Main Hall, rebuilt in 1623 in a classical style, is particularly impressive, along with numerous national treasures, including an ancient sword, a copper axe, and medieval manuscripts. The shrine, surrounded by a grove of Japanese cedars and camphor trees, offers splendid views over the River Naka. Be sure to explore the nearby Sumiyoshi Park.
• Kyushu National Museum - Opened in 2005, Kyūshū National Museum (Kyūshū Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) gained attention for its award-winning architecture and as Japan’s first new national museum in over a century. It houses a vast collection of art and historically significant artifacts related to the island’s rich history. Visitors can spend a day exploring prehistoric relics from archaeological digs and exhibits detailing the island’s role as a trading link between Japan, China, and Korea.
• Kushida Shrine - Known as one of Japan’s most famous (and Fukuoka’s oldest) Shinto shrines, Kushida-jinja was founded in AD 757. It features unique elements, including intricate carvings of the Chinese zodiac and a gingko tree over 1,000 years old. The shrine is renowned for hosting the Hakata Gion Yamakasa each July, a spectacular two-week festival with prayers for health and prosperity, featuring a race with teams carrying heavy wooden floats around the city.
• Tochoji Temple - Tochoji Temple (南岳山 東長寺), the head temple of Shingon Buddhism’s Kyushu sect, is known as Nangakuzan. It is dedicated to the renowned monk Kobo-Daishi (Kukai 空海) and is one of the oldest temples established by him in Japan.
• Yatai - Fukuoka’s open-air food stands (屋台, Yatai) are perhaps the city’s most iconic symbol. Yatai typically seat seven or eight people, offering a charming outdoor setting to enjoy simple, hearty dishes. While yatai are scattered throughout Fukuoka, the best spot to find them is on the southern end of Nakasu Island, where around 20 yatai line the water’s edge. They usually open in the early evening.
• Uminonakamichi Seaside Park - Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (海の中道海浜公園, Uminonakamichi Kaihin Kōen) is a vast, family-friendly public park on a narrow peninsula across the bay from central Fukuoka. The park features flower gardens, playgrounds, an amusement park with a ferris wheel, sports fields, a water park, a zoo, and expansive lawns perfect for picnics.
• Ohori Park - Ohori Park (大濠公園, Ōhori-kōen) is a delightful city park in central Fukuoka, centered around a large pond. A walking path encircles the pond, just over two kilometers long, popular for jogging, walking pets, and leisurely strolls by the water. “Ohori” means moat, and the pond was once part of the moat system of the neighboring Fukuoka Castle. Constructed between 1926 and 1929, the park was designed after the classical garden style of China’s West Lake. Three islands in the pond are connected by elegant stone bridges.
• Shofuku-ji Temple - Shofukuji (聖福寺, Shōfukuji) holds the distinction of being Japan’s first Zen temple. Founded in 1195 by the priest Eisai, who introduced the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism from China, the temple buildings are not open to the public, but visitors can stroll through the attractive temple grounds and view the buildings from outside. Before Zen’s introduction, Buddhism had a long history in Japan dating back to the 500s. Zen’s teachings, which Eisai brought from China, emphasized meditation and discipline as paths to enlightenment and became popular with the samurai class, which wielded political power through the Kamakura shogunate.
• Momochi Seaside Park - Seaside Momochi (シーサイドももち, Shīsaido Momochi) is Fukuoka’s modern waterfront, developed on reclaimed land along Hakata Bay. Originally the site of the 1989 Asia Pacific Expo, it features wide, tree-lined streets, futuristic buildings, public parks, and no overhead phone or electricity lines.
• Canal City Hakata - Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) is a vast shopping and entertainment complex, often described as a “city within the city.” It boasts around 250 shops, cafes, and restaurants, a theater, game center, cinemas, two hotels, and a canal running through the complex. Shoppers will find a variety of stores, from unique Japanese shops to international brands. The complex also offers a wide range of restaurants with reasonably priced menus, including the “Ramen Stadium” on the fifth floor, featuring eight ramen shops with noodle dishes from across Japan, including the local specialty, Hakata Ramen.
• Hakozaki-gu - Hakozaki Shrine is one of the most significant shrines in this region of Japan. The original shrine was destroyed during the Mongolian invasion of Fukuoka in 1274 but was rebuilt and has stood in its current location ever since. Notable sights include a stone anchor used by Mongolian ships and a statue of Nichiren, a prominent Buddhist scholar in Fukuoka who predicted the Mongolian invasion.
• Fukuoka Tower - Fukuoka Tower is a must-visit for those wanting to see the city at its finest. The tower rises to approximately 234 meters, offering stunning views of the city below. It is beautifully illuminated at night and is a national symbol of the city. The tower also features a restaurant at the top, where visitors can enjoy a meal while taking in the views.
• Nokonoshima Island - Fukuoka, known for its coastal location, boasts several picturesque islands just offshore. A relaxing 10-minute ferry ride offers stunning views across the water. Nokonoshima, with a radius of about 12 kilometers, is a top choice, located in Hakata Bay. Visitors can enjoy activities like hiking and swimming, and even camp overnight to experience an evening under the stars.
• Atago Jinja Shrine - Atago Shrine, though less visited, is one of Fukuoka’s most beautiful shrines. Situated on a hillside, it offers sweeping views of the city and Hakata Bay, and visitors can see the famous nesting storks. The approach to the shrine includes a torii gate and stairs leading to the main shrine area. Although off the beaten path, the shrine is worth the visit for its views and insight into the city’s religious history.
• Dazaifu Temmangu - Dazaifu refers to the regional government of Japan’s past. At the Dazaifu Government Remains, visitors can explore the former governmental grounds. Nearby, a museum offers insights into Fukuoka’s history, making it a great destination for Japanese history enthusiasts.
• Yanagibashi Rengo Market - Known as the kitchen of Hakata, Yanagibashi Rengo Market features over 40 greengrocers and fishmongers selling fresh produce. The market also has shops offering fruits, tofu, and cafes and bakeries with finger foods. Visitors can enjoy a delicious seafood Donburi, a Japanese rice bowl dish with fresh ingredients like squid and salmon sashimi.
• Nanzoin - Located 15 kilometers east of Fukuoka, Nanzoin Temple is one of the prefecture’s most visited and significant Buddhist shrines, attracting over a million pilgrims and visitors annually. The main attraction is the massive bronze statue of the Reclining Buddha, erected in 1995 and considered the largest bronze statue in the world. The pleasant walk to the site from the quaint village of Sasaguri is marked by smaller Buddha statues, picturesque streams, bridges, and gardens. Also worth visiting is the famous wooden Buddha at Tōchō-ji, the oldest Shingon temple in Kyushu, founded in AD 806.
• Rakusuien - A Japanese-style garden and tea house where visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese Matcha (green tea) and sweets for just 500 yen. The entrance fee is 100 yen.
• Hakata Machiya Hometown Museum - Hakata Machiya Hometown Museum（博多町屋ふるさと館）is a cultural museum in Hakata, Fukuoka, where visitors can experience the traditional lifestyle and history of the local area. Set in restored machiya townhouses, the museum offers an authentic glimpse into everyday life in old Hakata. Exhibits showcase local crafts, household tools, and seasonal customs, as well as the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. Visitors can also watch traditional craft demonstrations, making the museum an enjoyable and educational stop for those interested in Hakata’s culture and heritage.

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Fukuoka
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private Vehicle
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

This value-packed journey with a government-licensed and experienced English-speaking tour guide offers a fantastic and efficient way to explore Fukuoka!

Enjoy a full-day walking tour with a private guide, who will introduce both modern and traditional aspects of this vibrant, ancient city! Fukuoka is home to numerous historical temples and is renowned for its unique food culture.

The guide will meet you at your hotel or any other convenient location to begin your day. You will then have the option to visit any of Fukuoka’s renowned sites.

Share your interests, and the guide will arrange a six-hour tour tailored just for you!

Note*1: Please choose your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.