Here’s a comprehensive list of Fukuoka Tourist Spots, Things to Do in Fukuoka, and How to get to there.
Fukuoka is quite easy to explore, as it is well-connected by subway. Many of the attractions in Fukuoka city center are situated in Hakata, and can be accessed via the metro/subway and train. But the top tourist attractions in Fukuoka Prefecture are mostly located outside Fukuoka city.
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FUKUOKA TOURIST SPOTS
If you’re staying near Gion Station, Nakasu-Kawabata Station, and Hakata Station, below are the places to visit in Fukuoka.
CANAL CITY
Aside from shopping, what draws tourists to Canal City is the dancing fountain. If you want to witness the dancing fountain show, go there around 6:00 PM. It’s a sight to be behold! While you are it, try the ramen at the Ramen Stadium on the 5th Floor, that houses 8 ramen shops, some of the best in the city. Here, you’ll also find the famous Ichiran ramen (10:AM – 12:00 AM), which was founded in Fukuoka. Do try Fukuoka’s tonkotsu ramen known for its pork-bone-based broth, it’s my 2nd favorite ramen in Japan! I didn’t try it at Ichiran though because I’m not really a fan of this chain since I tried it in Tokyo (but that’s just me, I encourage you to try the tonkotsu ramen). Also, if you are in Fukuoka during spring, exit the mall and cross to the area near Naka River where you’ll find Seiryu Park with cherry blossoms trees and tulips.
Open Hours:
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby tourist attractions: Seiryu Park, Yakata Stalls, Kawabata Shopping Street, Kushida Jinja Shrine
Nearest Subway Station: Gion Station
How to get to Canal City:
1.Take the metro and alight at Gion Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2.Take Exit 5 and walk for about 7 minutes to Canal City.
YATAI STALLS
After exploring Canal City, once you’ve had your fill of shopping and the dancing fountain, exit the mall and cross to the Naka River area in Nakasu, Fukuoka’s entertainment district. Look for the Yatai Stalls (open air food stands) in Nakasu and try dining there. Yatai Stalls are scattered everywhere in Fukuoka, especially in Tenjin, Nakasu, and Nagahama area, but the ones at the southern end of Nakasu are said to be the best. I tried the popular tonkotsu ramen (Hakata ramen),a popular ramen that originated in Fukuoka, known for its milky, pork bone marrow broth at a Yatai stall in Nakasu, Fukuoka. I really love Fukuoka’s ramen (Hakata ramen) since the soup is thick and really tasty. This is not the best place to eat Hakata ramen in Fukuoka though, the food here are catered for tourists, but still, I really liked the ramen I had here (see the store photo below). If you want the best ramen in Fukuoka, locals I asked advised me to try it at local ramen shops, you can find some in Nakasu red light district, available from 6:00 PM to the wee hours in the morning. Take note that since the ramen restaurants there caters to locals working at the red light district, there’s no English menu.
Anyway, other recommended food to try at Yatai stalls aside from Hakata ramen are oden (a type of Japanese nabemono/hotpot), mizutaki (hotpot) and yakitori (girlled chicken in skewers). Yatai Stalls can only sit 6-8 persons, so you have to wait in line. I didn’t wait that long though, I just looked for a place without a long line because I’m already hungry. Haha It turned out one of the best dinners I’ve had in Fukuoka.
Open Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby tourist attractions: Seiryu Park, Canal City, Kawabata Shopping Street, Kushida Jinja Shrine
Nearest Subway Station: Nakasu-Kawabata Station and Gion Station
How to get to the Yatai Stalls in Naka River:
1.Take the subway (Kuko Line/Orange Line) to Nakasu-Kawabata Station or Gion Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2. The yatai stalls area in Nakasu is about 11-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station or 15-minute walk from Gion Station.
If you are already in Canal City, exit the mall and walk to Naka River, there you’ll find the Yatai Stalls near Seiryu Park.
KAWABATA SHOPPING STREET (Kawabata Shotengai)
If you want a cheaper shopping option, check the Kawabata Shopping Arcade. It’s a short walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station, Canal City and the Yatai Stalls near Naka River. This 4-blocks covered shopping street has been around since the World War II, it is dubbed as the oldest shopping area in Hakata. It has a mix of age-old shops and new ones, as well as restaurants.
Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby tourist attractions: Reisen Park, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Kushida Jinja Shrine, Canal City, Seiryu Park,Hakata Traditional Craft CenterNearest Subway Station: Nakasu-Kawabata Station
How to get to Kawabata Shopping Arcade:
1.Take the subway (Kuko Line/Orange Line) to Nakasu-Kawabata Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2.Walk to Kawabata Shopping Street.
KUSHIDA JINJA SHRINE
Nearby Kawabata Shopping Arcade is the Kushida Jinja Shrine, the most important Shinto Shrine in Fukuoka, believed to be founded in 757 during the era when Hakata was an important port of entry for trading between Korea, China and Japan. It is a stone’s throw away from Hakata Traditional Craft Center and Canal City.
I serendipitously stumbled upon Kushia Jinja Shrine because it is walking distance to my hotel, and I mistook it for Shofukuji Temple, which is located on the other side of Gion Station. This is actually the starting point of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, the biggest festival in Fukuoka, celebrated every July 1-15. The place is sprinkled with cherry blossoms during spring.
Open Hours: 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby tourist attractions: Reisen Park,Hakata Traditional Craft Center, Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Canal City
Nearest Subway Station: Gion Station and Nakasu-Kawabata Station
How to get to Kushida Jinja Shrine in Fukuoka:
1.Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line) and alight at either Gion Station, take Exit 2 or at Nakasu- Kawabata Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2.Walk for about 5 minutes to Kushida Jinja Shrine.
HAKATA GION YAMAKASA FESTIVAL
Festival Dates: July 1-15, parade is from July 10-15
Location: Starting point is at Kushida Jinja Shrine
Entrance Fee: FREE
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival is the biggest festival in Fukuoka, designated as an important Intangible Folk Culture Property. This religious event started during the 13th century when a Buddhist priest sprinkled holy water on the streets to help victims of the plague. A distinct feature of the festival are the floats called Yamakasa, divided into 2 groups: the Kazariyama (bigger and 13 meter-high stationary floats) and the Kakiyama (smaller floats that are carried while racing around the city). The Yamakasa are decorated intricately with samurais or animae characters. They are beautifully displayed around Fukuoka during the festival period starting July 1. By July 10-14, the Kakiyama floats are pulled at full speed along the streets of Fukuoka during the practice run. But the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival’s main event – the Oiyama actually starts at 4:59 AM from Kushida Jinja Shrine. During this Oiyama, 7 teams of men representing the 7 original district of Hakata (now Fukuoka) sporting loin cloths carry the elaborate floats on their shoulders and race along a course.
If you want to see a Yamakasa float, there’s one displayed at Kushida Jinja Shrine even outside the festival period.
HAKATA TRADITIONAL CRAFT CENTER
I serendipitously came across Hakata Traditional Craft Center after exploring Kushida Jinja Shrine. This place exhibits Fukuoka and Hakata traditional textiles, Hakata dolls, spinning tops and other Hakata handicrafts. The area here is a good place for a pleasant stroll especially during spring because of the sakura trees (cherry blossoms) and tulips adorning the streets and the nearby Reisen Park.
Open hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry is at 5:30 PM)
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby Tourist Spots: Kushida Jinja Shrine, Kawabata Shopping Street, Canal City
Nearest Subway Station: Nakasu-Kawabata Station and Gion Station
How to get to Hakata Traditional Craft Center:
1.Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line) and alight at either Gion Station, take Exit 2 or at Nakasu- Kawabata Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2.Walk for about 5 minutes to Hakata Traditional Craft Center. It is near Kusida Shinja Shrine.
TOCHO-JI TEMPLE
Fukuoka is oozing with temples and shrines, and one of the most popular and important temples here is Tocho-ji Temple in Hakata, Fukuoka. This is dedicated to the Buddhist Saint Kukai who founded the temple in 806. The temple houses a small, wooden statue of Senjukannon (Avalokiteshvara, the thousand-armed Goddes of Mercy) dating back to the Heian period that is hidden inside the temple that is designated as a National Treasure. The statue can only be seen by the public during the birthday celebration of Kukai.
Open Hours:
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby Tourist Spots: Shofukuji Temple, Canal City
Nearest Subway Station: Gion Station
How to get to Tocho-ji Temple:
1.Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line) and alight at either Gion Station.
2.Walk for about 2 minutes to Tocho-ji Temple. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
SHOFUKUJI TEMPLE
Shofukuji temple is believed to be Japan’s first Zen temple, founded in 1195 by Eisai, the priest who introduced tea and Zen Buddhism in Japan. The temple houses one of the largest sitting Buddha in Japan.
Open Hours:
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby Tourist Spots: Tocho-ji Temple, Canal City
Nearest Subway Station: Gion Station
How to get to Tocho-ji Temple:
1.Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line) and alight at either Gion Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2.Walk for about 5 minutes to Shofukuji Temple
OTHER TOURIST SPOTS IN FUKOUKA CITY:
FUKUOKA TOWER
Though not exactly in Tenjin area (it is located in Momochihama area), but is accessible from Tenjin Station, Fukuoka Tower is the highest tower in Fukuoka Prefecture. What’s interesting about this tower is it is covered by 8,000 half-mirrors known as Mirror Sail, making it look like a triangular building. There’s an observation deck at the 5th floor equipped with telescopes offering a scenic view of Fukuoka City. Restaurants and shops are located on the ground floor of Fukuoka Tower.
Open Hours: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM (last entry is 9:30 PM)
Entrance Fee:
Adult – ¥800 (₱383 – $7- SGD 10 – MYR 31 )
Child (6-15 y.o) – ¥500 (₱240 – $5 – SGD 6.31 – MYR 19)
Infants (4-5 y.o) – ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
How to get to Fukouka Tower:
1.From Hakata Station, ride a Nishitetsu Bus #306 at Bus Stop # 6 of Hakata Bus Terminal.
2.Alight at Fukuoka Tower Minami-guchi stop.
3.Walk for about 2 minutes to Fukuoka Tower.
Alternatively, you can also take Nishitesu Bus # 14, 15, 24, 204 or 151. Alight at Fukuoka Tower Minami-guchi stop. And walk to Fukuoka Tower for about 2 minutes.
OHORI PARK
A pleasant park in Fukuoka featuring a hexagonal pavilion standing on a large pond. The park is said to be part of the moat system of the nearby Fukuoka Castle. There’s a Japanese Garden that charges a small entrance fee and across it is the Gokuko Shrine. Adjacent to Ohori Park is the Fukuoka Art Museum.
Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE
Japanese Garden – ¥250 (₱119 – $2.31 – SGD 3 – MYR 10 )
Nearby Attractions: Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukouka Castle Ruins (Maizuru Park)
Nearest Subway Station: Ohori Koen Station, Tojinmachi Station
How to get to Ohori Park:
1. Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line) to Ohori Koen Station or Tojinmachi Station. ¥260 (₱125 – $2.40 – SGD 3 – MYR 10)
2. Get off at Ohori Koen Station or Tojinmachi Station. 9 mins.
3.Walk to Ohori Park. 7 mins.
FUKUOKA CASTLE RUINS
Fukuoka Castle built in the 17th century by Kuroda Nagamasa was once the largest castle in Kyushu Region. Today, only the ruined walls and a few turrets remain, which is located in Maizuru Park. It is best visited during spring because the park is fringed by cherry blossom trees.
Open Hours: always open
Entrance Fee: FREE
Nearby Attractions: Fukuoka Art Museum, Ohori Park
Nearest Subway Station: Ohorikoen Station
How to get to Fukuoka Castle Ruins:
1.Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line). ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2.Get off at Ohorikoen Station. ¥260 (₱125 – $2.40 – SGD 3 – MYR 10)
3.Walk to Maizuru Park where Fukuoka Castle is located. 15 mins.
FUKUOKA DAY TRIPS
DAZAIFU
A popular day trip from Fukuoka City is Daizafu, a mountainous city peppered with historical sites (many of them are designated as National Historical Sites) that is actually the old capital of Fukuoka Prefecture before it was moved to present-day Fukuoka city. Daizafu got its name from an office called Daizafu (Government General Head Quarters), founded about 1,300 years ago. It ruled all of Kyushu for 500 years.
Attractions in Daizafu include:
Daizafu Tenmagu Shrine
Komyozen-ji Temple
Remains of Ancient Daizafu Government Office (National Historical Site)
Kanzeon-ji Temple (National Historical Site)
Remains of Chikuzen Kokubun-ji Temple (National Historical Site)
Remains of Mizuki Fortress (National Historical Site)
Remains of Ono-jo Fortress (National Historical Site)
Kaidan-in; Buddhist Ordination Hall (National Historical Site)
Daizafu Site Exhibition Hall
Travel Tip: Rent a tricycle for ¥500 (₱240 – $5 – SGD 6 – MYR 19 ) at Nishitetsu Daizafu or Futsukaichi Station, open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Return the bicycles at the said stations or at Nishitetsu Tofuro-mae Station.
Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry is 4:30 PM)
Entrance Fee: Main Hall is Free, ¥500 (₱240 – $5 – SGD 6 – MYR 19 ) for 3 attractions – Daizafu Tenmango Museum, Kanko Historical Museum, and Kyushu National Museum.
How to get to Daizafu:
Fare: ¥690 (₱331 – $6.38 – SGD 4– MYR 13)
Travel time: 50 mins
1. Take the subway Kuko Line (Orange Line) to Tenjin Station. ¥200 (₱95 – $2 – SGD 2.52 – MYR 8)
2. Get off at Tenjin Metro Station (subway). 6 mins.
3. Walk to Nishitetsu Fukuoka Tenjin Station.
4. Take the Nishitetsu-Tenjin-Omuta Line Express to Omuta. ¥340 (₱163 – $3 – SGD 4 – MYR 13)
5. Alight at Nishitetsu-Futsukaichi Station. 16 mins.
6. Transfer to Nishitetsu-Daizafu Line local towards Daizafu. ¥150 (₱72 – $1.39 – SGD 2 – MYR 6)
7. Get off at Daizafu Station. 5 mins.
For a hassle-free tour that includes a day trip to Yufuin and Beppu from Hakata Station, book below:
Daizafu, Yufuin, and Beppu Day Tour: RESERVE HERE
NANZOIN TEMPLE (Reclining Buddha in Fukuoka):
Nanzoin Temple is one of the biggest reclining Buddha bronze statues in the world, but it’s not all about that. It’s actually a temple complex in Sasuguri sprinkled with shrines and temples, and 500 small statues of the disciples of Buddha with different positions and expressions.
Nanzoin Temple is part of the stop of the “Sasaguri 88”, one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in Japan. The temple is known to bring good luck, because reportedly, one of the main priests here won the lottery after laying his ticket next to the statue of Daikoku. I did notice lottery tickets being sold at one of the shrines there, which I didn’t at first. But many travelers and locals are said to visit the temple for good luck.
Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE
Fare: ¥370 (₱176 – $3.41 – SGD 5 – MYR 14.21)
Travel time: 23-30 minutes
How to get to Nanzoin Temple Buddha (Reclining Buddha in Fukuoka):
1.From Hakata JR Station, take the JR Fukuhokuyutaka Line to Nogata or Shin-Iizuka or Orio.
2.Get off at Kidonanzoin-Mae Station. 20 mins.
3.Take Exit 1.
4.Walk for about 5 minutes to Nanzoin Temple. (You need to cross Melody Bridge)
Travel Tip: While walking towards the Nanzoin Buddha Temple, check out the Melody Bridge, it’s a bridge with a xylophone attached to it where you can play music. Pretty interesting!
YANAGAWA RIVER
Yanagawa is a castle town in Kyushu that thrived under the Tachibana clan rule. In the olden days, moats have been dug to build a canal town so that inland flooding can be prevented and provide ample water supply for agricultural use. Thankfully, this area has been blissfully preserved and is now the site of the popular river cruise in Yanagawa.
During my trip to Fukuoka, I did a DIY day tour to Yanagawa to experience the punt tour of the waterways. Yanagawa River Cruise uses punt boat, a flat boat with a broad front that is designed for use in shallow waters and small rivers, reason why it’s also called punting tours. The waterways network is said to be about 470 km long and is pretty scenic. The canals and streams are fringed by trees, plants and houses. And during spring, the cherry blossoms sprinkled around the Yanagawa River add more drama to it. The Yanagawa River cruise lasts for about 1 hour, the oarsman paddles the boat using a bamboo pole, as he shares interesting and funny stories to visitors and sings children songs by Kitahara Hakushu, a Meiji era poet and writer of children songs who was born in Yanagawa. I couldn’t understand it though as it is in Japanese, but I enjoyed the tour because of the scenic atmosphere and the way the oarsman tells stories.
For a hassle-free tour, that includes roundtrip transfers to Fukouka, join the group tour below:
Yanagawa River Tour + Tosu Premium Outlet: RESERVE HERE
Departure from Canal City, Tenjin City Hall, Hilton Fukouka Seahawk and Fukuoka Airport (International and Domestic)
Attractions: Yanagawa River Cruise, Tosu Premium Outlet (optional shopping)
Inclusion: roundtrip bus transfer ,Yanagawa River Cruise fee, travel insurance, tour guide
If you want a DIY tour, follow directions below:
Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily
Yanagawa River Cruise Fee (Shared/Group Tour):
Adult: ¥1,500 (₱719- $13 – SGD 19 – MYR 58)
Child (6 -15 y.o): ¥800 (₱383- $7 – SGD 10 – MYR 31)
Toddlers (5 y.o and below): FREE
*The boat ride is shared by customers.
Yanagawa River Tour Private Boat Rate:
Standard boat (for 6 persons, but maximum is 22 passengers ): ¥12,000 (₱ 5,756 – $110 – SGD 151 – MYR 461 ) and ¥1,600 (₱767- $14 – SGD 20 – MYR 61) per additional persons over 6)
Cushion-seated boat (maximum 6 passengers): ¥14,000 (₱6,715- $129 – SGD 177 – MYR 538)
How to get to Yanagawa River:
Fare: ¥850 (₱407 – $8 – SGD 11 – MYR 33)
Travel time: 55 minutes
1.From Tenjin Station, take the Nishitetsu-Tenjin-Omuta Line Limited Express train to Omuta.
2.Get off at Nishitetsu-Yanagawa Station. 7th stop. 50 minutes. ¥850 (₱407 – $8 – SGD 11 – MYR 33)
3.Inquire at the Tourism Office for directions, but most likely you’ll be pointed to the boat tours, about 5 minute walk from Yanagawa Station.
4.Purchase the boat ticket. ¥1,500 (₱719- $13 – SGD 19 – MYR 58)
5.Board the punt boat.
While you are in Yanagawa, you can also rent Kimonos for your photo op in their scenic canals, park, shrines and temples.
Kimono rental: RESERVE HERE
UMINONAKAMICHI SEASIDE PARK
What made me visit Uminonakamichi Seaside Park was the field of baby blue eyes flowers (Nemophila menziesii), it reminded me of Hitachi Seaside Park. I was pretty surprised when I stumbled upon an article talking about it. When I traveled to Fukuoka, I didn’t have a clear idea what are the places I want to visit. I only made my itinerary when I got there already. It was a busy month and I had a lot of things going on.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is an easy day tour from Fukuoka City, it is located in Higashi ward in Fukuoka Prefecture. Upon my arrival, I rented a bike for ¥700 (₱335 – $6) because it is pretty huge! And I highly recommend you do so, otherwise, your poor feet will suffer. It is sprawling and some attractions are quite a distance from each other. The park is best visited during spring, when the colorful flowers like tulips, cherry blossoms, canola flowers, and baby blue eyes are in full bloom!
The park itself is home to many attractions, allot 1 day to be able to explore it. It’s perfect for kids and families, as many attractions are kid-friendly like the Children’s Playground, the Animal Forest, the swimming pools (Current Pool, Water Jungle Pool, and Dragon Sliders), Wonder World (amusement area), and the Flower Museum.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Open Hours:
March 1 to October 31 – 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily
November 1 to end of February – 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM daily
*Park hours are extended from 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM when swimming pools are open (varies with season).
*Park is closed from December 31 to January 1, and the first Monday of February and the following day.
Entrance Fees:
Adults (age 15 or over): ¥450 (₱215 – $4 – SGD 6 – MYR 17 ), Group: ¥290 (₱215 – $4 – SGD 4 – MYR 11)
Senior (age 65 or older): ¥210 (₱210 – $2 – SGD 3 – MYR 8)
Child (age under 14): FREE
*Group rate applies to 20 or more visitors.
Bicycle Rental:
Adult: ¥700 (₱335 – $6 – SGD 9 – MYR 27) per day,
¥400 (₱192 – $4 – SGD 5 – MYR 15) for 3 hours (extension fee ¥70 per 30 mins)
Child: ¥400 (₱192 – $4 – SGD 5 – MYR 15) per day
¥250 (₱120 – $2.50 – SGD 3 – MYR 10 ) for 3 hours (extension fee ¥30 per 30 mins)
Wonder World Fare:
¥100 to ¥500 per ride
Parking (per day):
Large vehicle: ¥1,550 (₱743 – $14 – SGD 19 – MYR 60)
Standard Size: ¥520 (₱249 – $5 – SGD 7 – MYR 20)
Motorcycle: ¥260 (₱125 – $2.40 – SGD 3 – MYR 10)
Baby stroller rental: FREE
Wheelchairs and electric cart: FREE
How to get to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park:
Fare: ¥460 (₱221 – $4 – SGD 6 – MYR 18)
Travel time: 56 minutes
1.From JR Hakata Station, take the Kagoshima Line Local towards Kokura or Kagoshima Line Rapid to Mojiko.
2.Alight at Kashii Station. 12 mins.(4 stops if local line to Kokura)
3.Transfer to Kashii Line to Saitozaki
4.Get off at Uminokamachi Station. 18 mins (5 stops)
5.Walk to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park entrance. 5 mins.
YUFUIN
Though Yufuin is outside Fukuoka Prefecture, it’s accessible from Fukuoka City, and can be done as a day tour. What brought me here was the Yufuin Flower Village. I got curious, because articles have been raving about this hidden British-inspired Village, turns out it’s just a small area of pretty Instagram-worthy stores painted in yellow resembling tiny houses. Yufuin is actually known for its onsen (hot spring), this place is peppered with hot springs! So if you haven’t gone to an onsen village yet, you may want to visit Yufuin and Beppu. There are also a lot of interesting stores here. I even stumbled upon a café selling edible flower, I had the crepe with edible flowers and it was surprisingly good!
I’ll write a more detailed travel guide about Yufuin. But if you don’t have a JR Pass, it’s expensive to get there as the one way train ride alone will cost you ¥6,760 (FREE with JR Pass)! Best to join the group tour below, it’ll save you a lot!
YUFUIN AND KUROKAWA ONSEN DAY TRIP: RESERVE HERE
HUIS TEN BOSCH
Built in March 1992, Huis Ten Bosch or House in the Forest was built to celebrate the friendship between Japan and the Netherlands. It is divided into 2 zones – The Theme Park Zone and the Harbor Zone. Best time to visit is February to May when the thousands of LED lights are illuminating at night. I felt like I was transported to The Netherlands when I set foot in this sprawling theme park because of the windmills, tulip fields, and colorful Dutch-inspired buildings! But more than the scenery, Huis Ten Bosch offers different games, playgrounds and shows, and the place is peppered with shops, and restaurants that cater to tourists. There’s even a man-made Amsterdam-like canal where visitors can experience a boat ride!
Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entrance Fee:
Adult (18 y.o and above) – ¥7,000 (₱3,357- $64 – SGD 88 – MYR 269)
Youth (Middle and High School student) – ¥6,000 (₱2,878 – $55 – SGD 76 – MYR 230)
Child (Elementary) – ¥4,600 (₱2,206 – $42 – SGD 58 – MYR 177)
Pre-Schooler (4-6 y.o) – ¥3,500 (₱1,679 – $32 – SGD 44 – MYR 134)
Senior (65 +) – ¥5,500 (₱2,638 – $51 – SGD 69 – MYR 211)
Huis Ten Bosch Ticket: RESERVE HERE (DISCOUNTED)
How to get to Huis Ten Bosch:
Fare: ¥3,880 (₱1,839 – $36 – SGD 49 – MYR 149)
Travel Time: 2 hrs 37 mins
Option 1:
There’s a direct train that leaves early in the morning, around 8:30 AM.
1.At Hakata Station (Platform 4), take the Midori-Huis Ten Bosch Limited Express Huis Ten Bosch 3 towards Huis Ten Bosch.
2.Get off at Huis Ten Bosch. 2 hours and 2 mins.
3.Walk to Huis Ten Bosch gate. 14 mins.
Option 2:
If you miss the direct train, you need to take around 2-3 train transfers to get to Huis Ten Bosch
1.From Hakata JR Station (Platform 3), take the Kamome Limited Express Kamome 3 to Nagasaki.
2.Get off at Hizen-Yamaguchi Station (5th stop). 48 mins.
3.Transfer to the Sasebo Line local to Sasebo.
4.Alight at Haiki Station (10th stop). 55 mins.
5.Transfer to Omura Line local to Nagasaki
6.Alight at Huis Ten Bosch Station. 5 mins.
7.Walk to Huis Ten Bosch Entrance. 23 mins.
FUKUOKA WI-FI
Stay connected online with a 4G pocket Wi-Fi that can connect up to 14 devices at once! You can pick it up at major Japan airports like Fukuoka Airport, Kansai Airport (Osaka), Haneda Airport (Tokyo), Chubu Airport (Nagoya), New Chitose Airport (Sapporo), etc.
RESERVE HERE (DISCOUNTED)
GETTING AROUND FUKUOKA
Fukuoka City is divided into 2 major areas: Hakata Area (around Hakata Station (Kuko Line/Orange Line)) and Tenjin Area (around Tenjin Station (Kuko Line/Orange Line)). Most of the top attractions in Fukuoka City center are connected by subway/metro and are walking distance of each other. So, if you’ve traveled to Japan before, getting around Fukuoka would be easy for you. You can use Hyperdia or Google Maps. The thing with Hyperdia though is you need to know the station name of your origin and destination.
ALSO READ: HYPERDIAL HOW TO CHECK TRAIN ROUTES AND SCHEDULES IN JAPAN
By Subway:
I used the subway for getting around Fukuoka City center and getting to Hakata Station for my trips around Fukuoka Prefecture.
You can use the HAYAKAKEN card, a rechargeable IC card if you don’t want to line up and purchase a ticket each time you ride the subway. But if you already have the IC Card from your previous Japan trip like ICOCA, PASMO or SUICA, you can top up and use it on Fukuoka subway/metro.
Subway Passes
If you’ll be traveling via subway multiple times a day, you purchase the following passes:
FUKUOKA CITY TOURIST PASS: For unlimited rides for 1 day on subway, buses, and trains around Fukuoka City (except Nishitetsu Train).
Price: Adult – ¥820 (₱393 – $7 – SGD 10 – MYR 31), Child – ¥410 (₱197 – $4 – SGD 5 – MYR 16)
1-DAY SUBWAY PASS: For unlimited rides on Fukuoka subway for 1 day. Bus rides not included. Valid only on the date of purchase.
Price: Adult – ¥620 (₱298 – $6 – SGD 8 – MYR 24), Child – ¥310 (₱149 – $3 – SGD 4 – MYR 12)
2-DAY SUBWAY PASS: For unlimited rides on Fukuoka subway for 2 days. Buses not included. Valid for 2 days starting on the day of first use.
Price: Adult – ¥720 (₱346 – $7 – SGD 9 – MYR 28), Child – ¥360 (₱173 – $3.31 – SGD 5 – MYR 14)
By Train
Many of the top attractions in Fukuoka Prefecture are located outside Fukuoka City and can be accessed by train from Hakata Station and Tenjin Station. Depending on your itinerary, you can save a few bucks if you purchase a train pass. Here’s some helpful train passes that covers Kyushu Island (Fukuoka and neighboring Prefectures).
JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS
There are 3 types of JR Pass for Kyushu Island.
- JR All Kyushu Pass: covers the whole Kyushu Island
- JR Southern Kyushu Pass: cover south of Kyushu Island
- JR Northern Kyushu Pass: covers the north of Kyushu Island
But for the tourist spots I mentioned below, you can use Northern Kyushu Area Pass, and that’s what I’ll recommend.
JR NORTHERN KYUSHU RAIL PASS: Covers Nagasaki, Yufuin, Beppu, Huis Ten Bosch, Saga, Sasebo, Kumamoto, Tosu, Shin-tosu, etc.
JR Northern Kyushu Pass: RESERVE HERE
If you’ll be traveling other regions in Japan like Tokyo or Osaka from Fukuoka, best to purchase the JR Whole Area Pass. This is what I used since after Fukuoka, I also explored Osaka, and it’s worth it because I was able to use it on Shinkansen Sakura to Shin-Osaka.
Take note that there are 5 different trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen line: the Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, and Sakura. The Nozomi (the fastest) and the Mizuho are not covered by the JR Rail Pass. Your next option is the Hikari (the next fastest train) and the Kodama (slowest shinkansen because it stops at every station). If you’re off to Osaka or Hiroshima from Fukuoka, you can take the Shinkansen Sakura, covered by JR Pass.
JR Whole Japan Pass (7 Days) :RESERVE HERE
WHERE TO STAY IN FUKUOKA
Like I mentioned above, Fukuoka City is divided into 2 major areas: Hakata Area (around Hakata Station (Kuko Line/Orange Line)) and Tenjin Area (around Tenjin Station (Kuko Line/Orange Line)). So, if you’re looking for a place to stay in Fukuoka, these 2 areas are pretty good bases in Fukuoka.
But, I actually stayed in between these two stations (1-2 stations away) in Hakata: near Nakasu-Kawabata Station (Kuko Line/Orange Line) and Gion Station (Kuko Line/Orange Line), walking distance to Canal City and Nakusa, the red light district. I like this area because: budget hotels and hostels are concentrated here, it is pretty lively at night (just avoid the red light district unless you are looking for the best ramen in Fukuoka, which can be found here), most of the key attractions in Fukuoka City can be reached on foot from both Gion Station and Nakasu-Kawabata Station, the shopping district is nearby, and the best local ramen restaurants are situated here!
Here’s some of the top budget hotels in Fukuoka that you may want to consider. Make sure you check the address before booking. Best to book a hotel near the subway station.
I stayed in a different hostel near Canal City and the shopping area, the room was pretty basic and tightly packed, and I didn’t like one of the shower areas. There was no elevator so it’s hard to climb the stairs. I did like the kitchen and dining area. The owner was nice to me, I was going to write it here, but when I check the reviews, one of the Filipino guests complained because the owner thought they stole the aircon’s remote control. I don’t know what happened exactly, but I don’t like the owner’s response as he generalized Filipinos. Take note when you’re booking a dorm room in a hostel, your experience would be affected by other guests, if they’re noisy or they’re messy as you are sharing a room with them.
DORM ROOMS:
- GATE HOSTEL FUKUOKA
Location: Hakata area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Gofukomachi Station ( 3 min walk), Nakasukawabata Station (8 min walk)
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
- FUKUOKA HANA HOSTEL
Location: Hakata area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Nakasukawabata Station ( 5 min walk)
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
- JAM HOSTEL
Location: Hakata area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Hakata Station (3 min walk)
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
SINGLE/DOUBLE ROOMS:
HOTEL NEW GAEA Hakata Eki Minami
Location: Hakata area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Hakata Station (7 min walk)
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
RESIDENCE HOTEL HAKATA 5
Location: Hakata area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Maidashikyudaiboin-mae station (3 min walk), Yushizuka Train Station
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
VALIE HOTEL TENJIN
Location: Tenjin area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Tenjin Station (5 min walk)
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
COURT HOTEL FUKUOKA
Location: Tenjin area, Fukuoka
Nearest Subway: Tenjin-Minami Station (4 min walk), Tenjin Station (10-minute walk)
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
ALSO READ:
FUKUOKA TRAVEL GUIDE (ITINERARY + BUDGET)
JAPAN VISA: REQUIREMENTS + APPLICATION
OSAKA TRAVEL GUIDE + BUDGET ITINERARY
GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS
MACAU TOURIST SPOTS
KYOTO TOURIST SPOTS