Fukuoka city, the capital of the prefecture, is the largest city in Kyushu. Throughout history it has been a key harbor city due to its proximity to other Asian countries; it is closer to Seoul than it is to Tokyo. As well as Fukuoka city (which has now fused with Hakata), the prefecture is home to other cities including Kita-Kyushu, Kurume, and Ōmuta. Various Fukuoka attractions, including culture, history, food, and nature, draw people to the prefecture.

If you are moving to Fukuoka, visiting, or considering living in Fukuoka, please check out our Fukuoka guide! We will explore some of the most popular things to do in Fukuoka which can also help you decide what area to look for Fukuoka apartments.

Getting around Fukuoka guide

Fukuoka is well connected to the rest of Kyushu by the JR Kyushu Shinkansen and local trains and buses. As well as this, the JR Sanyo Shinkansen connects Fukuoka to other large Japanese cities including Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, which can be particularly helpful for anyone living in Fukuoka or considering moving to Fukuoka.

Fukuoka airport provides both domestic and international flights – great for any visitors wanting to explore Kyushu. The airport is conveniently only a 10-minute subway journey from Hakata station in the city center.

Part of Kyushu’s uniqueness is its vast nature, from volcanoes to coastlines. If you are thinking about moving to Fukuoka, a car will help you access some of the harder-to-reach beauty spots you can find beyond the city and around Kyushu. Though it is possible to access a lot of these scenic nature areas by public transport, it will usually take a while and the public transportation can be a little bit sparse and irregular in some of the quieter places.

Things to do in Fukuoka City (and nearby)

Hakata Yatai Stalls

One of the biggest Fukuoka attractions is the delicious food – prepare to be satisfied! Street food stalls called yatai can be found in the cities serving some of Fukuoka’s famous ramen, oden, and yakitori. Traditional Hakata yatai food stalls can be found in the Nakasu, Tenjin, and Nagahama areas.

Kushida Shrine

Located in the Hakata area of Fukuoka city, Kushida Shrine is host to most of the festivals held in Hakata, such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa and the Hakata Okunchi. These festivals are some of the prefectures’ biggest events and they are listed on pretty much every Fukuoka guide for a good reason!

During the Setsubun Taisai festival in winter, you can pass through the mouth of a striking otafuku mask (a type of Japanese theatrical mask), which is said to bring good luck.

The Hakata Donkatu Harbour Festival in Tenjin during Golden Week attracts visitors from all across Japan so it is one of the Fukuoka attractions not to be missed if you are living in Fukuoka.

Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine

This Shinto Shrine is one of the most beautiful Fukuoka attractions and one of the most important Tenmangu shrines. It’s located in Daizaifu, a 30-minute train ride from the city center.

If you are looking for things to do in Fukuoka in early spring, go to Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine for some of the most beautiful plum blossoms, with over 6000 trees. Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine is also a popular viewing spot for cherry blossoms and tulips later on in spring.

Daizafu is an area popular for historical sights and temples, it’s a great place for some sightseeing if you are looking for things to do in Fukuoka. It is also home to the Kyushu National Museum.

Itoshima

A trip to Itoshima is one of the best things to do in Fukuoka for anyone in search of some peace and serenity. Itoshima is a small resort town on the west coast of Fukuoka with beautiful beaches as well as some popular surfing spots. There are some hiking areas around Itoshima too. The town is a hotspot for barbecues and beach days in the summer.

If you find yourself in Itoshima you can try to catch the sunset at Sakurai Futamigaura, where you can watch the sun go down behind two sacred rocks out in the sea.

Itoshima also has one of the Fukuoka attractions that will delight any seafood fans who visit. Itoshima’s oyster huts are famous for delicious fresh oysters, which are served in a laid-back setting.

If you are looking for a rent apartment in Fukuoka, please check out our Fukuoka apartments in and around Fukuoka city.

Things to do in Kita-Kyushu

Mt. Sarakura

You can experience one of the famous night views of Japan from the top of Mt. Sarakura, now known as Sarakura Hakkei, in Kita-Kyushu. It’s on our Fukuoka guide because it is designated one of the new three major night views of Japan.

If you enjoy hiking, various trails lead up to the summit, which also offers beautiful daytime views. Alternatively, for a more leisurely trip, a cable car can take you up to the observatory.

Kawachi Fuji-en Garden

This garden in Kita-Kyushu is one of the most beautiful Fukuoka attractions, particularly in late spring when the wisteria is in bloom. Kawachi Fuji-en Garden is famous for the wisteria which grows along two 100-meter-long tunnels.

The Gardens are also open in the autumn months since it is a lovely spot to enjoy the Japanese maple tree foliage in late November and early December.

If you are moving to Fukuoka, Kita-Kyushu is a popular choice for living in Fukuoka since it is a fairly big city. It is also slightly closer to some of Japan’s other large cities heading eastwards. Here are some Fukuoka apartments in Kita-Kyushu that are currently available.

We hope our Fukuoka guide helps anyone visiting or thinking about living in Fukuoka. If you decide on moving to Fukuoka, please have a look at our available Fukuoka apartments across the prefecture. There are so many things to do in Fukuoka beyond this guide, so we recommend you go and visit it to find out!