Fukuoka's appeal is multi-faceted: bustling city life, charming small towns, and awesome food. Since it is easily accessible to the rest of Japan via airplane and JR Kyushu Shinkansen, a visit here is highly recommended and will reap you unique experiences! Here are five must-do things in Fukuoka:
- Eat ramen at yatai (open-air food stalls)
Indulge yourself in the delectable delights of Fukuoka cuisine. Tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen will satisfy your meaty cravings while oden (hot pot) will fill up your stomach with a warm feeling. What's more, you can pick up some cool Fukuoka dialect from the people sitting beside you!
- Pray at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Feast your eyes on a hive of activity as Dazaifu Shrine is the destination of choice for Japanese students who will come here to pray for good exam grades. Come in late February if you can—the many plum trees will bloom then, turning the whole grounds into a crimson pink wonderland.
- Shop at Tenjin Underground City
Shop until you drop in air-conditioned comfort at Tenjin Underground City. With 150 myriad shops available, there’s surely something that caters to your fashion quirks!
- Take a river cruise at Yanagawa
Immerse yourself in the Venice of the East and enjoy the colorful sight of cherry blossoms and willow trees dotting authentic old Japanese-style storehouses on your river cruise!
- Cultivate your spirit at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Gain a broad perspective of the pulse of not just Japan but the whole of Asia at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum. Through a sublime combination of folk art and art installations, you can have a deep appreciation of Asia’s past, present and future.