Before I even knew much about Fukuoka, I knew I wanted to explore Kyushu’s green, rural countryside. Fukuoka just happened to be the most convenient airport to fly into—and I’d heard it had great seafood and ramen, so I figured, why not spend a few days there?
Um, yeah… it had that and then some. Fukuoka quickly became one of our favorite cities in Japan.
Not only is it home to one of the best food scenes we’ve experienced in Japan, but it’s also the perfect base for day trips to some of Kyushu’s most scenic spots. It’s lively, local, and full of personality.
It felt like a true Japanese city, not a city in Japan that’s become overrun by rowdy foreigners and tourists. (We’re hoping it stays that way.)
This guide covers a handful of things that make Japan’s coolest city worth a stop. If you’re on the fence about adding it to your itinerary, hopefully this helps tip the scale!
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Looking for a Fukuoka itinerary? Here’s how we spent 3 days in Fukuoka during our latest trip to Japan. Feel free to use it as inspiration for your own trip!
Table of Contents
Tonkotsu Ramen (Hakata Ramen)
Fukuoka is ground zero for tonkotsu ramen, known locally as Hakata ramen. If you’ve ever heard of the restaurants Ichiran or Ippudo, then you’re familiar with tonkotsu ramen!
The broth is a rich, creamy pork bone soup, paired with thin, straight noodles that soak it all up perfectly.
Most tourists flock to Ichiran (which was born in Fukuoka!), but if you want to delve deeper into ramen culture there, check out the many offerings at Canal City’s Ramen Stadium, Shin-Shin near Tenjin, or the cult-favorite Hakata Issou for a more intense, fatty bowl.
Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Roe)
You’ll see mentaiko everywhere in Fukuoka — in rice balls at convenience stores, as a pasta sauce in cafés, or grilled and served with sake in izakayas.
The flavor is salty, spicy, and umami-packed, but it can be intense if eaten raw and by itself.
If you’re new to trying it, try a grilled version first at a spot like Ganso Hakata Mentaiju near Tenjin, which serves it in a fancy lacquered box.
Fresh Seafood… and Kicking Squid!
Thanks to its coastal location, Fukuoka is a great city for ultra-fresh seafood — you’ll find everything from melt-in-your-mouth sashimi to grilled shellfish at markets and izakayas all over town.
But one dish really stands out for its uniqueness: kicking squid, or ikezukuri. This specialty involves live squid prepared as sashimi, sometimes with tentacles that still twitch on the plate.
It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re into unique textures and truly fresh seafood, it’s worth trying at places like Kihachi or Hakata Kanbe Haruyoshitenjintei. (Yes, it’s properly cleaned and safe to eat — it just looks wild!)
The Start of Some Splendid Train Rides
Fukuoka isn’t just a foodie city — it’s also the departure point for some of the most scenic train rides in Kyushu. If you’re feeling fancy, look into the Aru Ressha, one of the most luxurious train experiences in all of Japan.
Also known as the “Sweets Train”, this luxurious experience runs between Hakata and Yufuin, featuring intricate wood interiors and a menu by Michelin-starred chef Yoshihiro Narisawa. Expect to be served multiple dessert courses, and feel like you’re royalty while dining. The black and gold train looks straight out of a royal parade.
On the other end of the budget spectrum (but still a great experience), hop on the Yufuin no Mori.
This beloved green sightseeing train seamlessly blends into the countryside, offering floor-to-ceiling views of the mountains en route to Yufuin. The all-wood interiors, curved observation windows, and onboard bar give it a cozy, forest lodge-on-rails kind of feel.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa, The City’s Rowdiest Tradition
Every July, Fukuoka explodes with energy for Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a traditional festival that’s been running for over 770 years. It’s centered around Kushida Shrine, where massive, elaborately decorated floats (some over 30 feet tall) are paraded and raced through the streets.
You’ll see them on display all around the city from July 1, but the real action happens at 4:59 AM on July 15 — yes, that’s the actual start time — when teams of men in happi coats hoist the floats and sprint through the streets in a ritual race known as Oiyama.
It’s intense, loud, and wildly local — and if you’re in town, don’t miss it!
Yatai Food Stalls
Fukuoka’s yatai (open-air food stalls) are the ultimate casual dining experience. Plus, they’re quintessentially Fukuoka!
This style of eating traces back to post-WWII recovery times, when small mobile food stalls popped up to serve quick, affordable meals — and over the decades, it stuck around as a beloved local tradition.
You’ll find them lined up along the Nakasu river or scattered in Tenjin, offering everything from skewered meats and chicken karaage to tonkotsu ramen and oden. Each stall only seats about 8–10 people, which means you’ll probably end up chatting with the chef and fellow diners over a cold highball and sizzling bites.
A Wildly Good Bakery Scene
You might come for the ramen, but don’t sleep on Fukuoka’s bakery game — it’s seriously next level.
First up: AMAM DACOTAN, the leser-knwon sister bakery to Im Donut ?. While the latter will always have a long line no matter when you show up, not many people know about AMAM DACOTAN just yet.
The creations there are so unique! Think brioche buns stuffed with pistachio cream, seasonal fruit sandwiches, and perfectly chewy donuts with rich custard fillings.
But the real fun is in stumbling upon smaller, lesser-known spots — like パンデルソル (Pan del Sol), a cozy shop tucked inside the Kawabata Shopping Arcade where the croissants are perfectly flaky and the savory sandos are unforgettable.
Even if you weren’t planning on eating bread in Fukuoka, you will be after seeing all that the city has to offer.
Motsunabe
Sorry, we’re not quite done with all the food Fukuoka is known for; there’s also motsunabe. This hot pot dish made with beef or pork intestines might sound intense, but the locals love it.
Simmered with cabbage, garlic, and chives in a soy or miso-based broth, it’s rich, garlicky, and surprisingly comforting. Try it at Yamanaka Akasaka (a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick) or Motsunabe Nagano near Hakata Station.
Ohori Park
Right in the city center, Ohori Park offers a peaceful break from the hustle. There’s a scenic 2km walking path around a calm lake, plus swan boat rentals if you’re feeling touristy.
Don’t miss the traditional Japanese garden next door (I personally loved this part of the park!), or grab matcha and wagashi from nearby tea houses.
Island Hopping: Nokonoshima & Shikanoshima
Need an easy nature escape? Hop on a ferry to Nokonoshima or Shikanoshima — both offer hiking, beaches, and lots of fresh seafood!
Nokonoshima Island Park is especially popular in spring for cherry blossoms and fall for cosmos fields. Pack a lunch or grab local bites at the island cafés.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Dazaifu is one of the most popular half-day trips from Fukuoka. Located a quick 30-minute train ride from the city, this shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the God of learning and calligraphy. As such, you’ll see lots of students praying there before their exams.
The main street leading up to the shrine is packed with shops selling souvenirs and sweets. If you end up visiting for yourself, be sure to try umegae mochi, a local treat with crisp edges and sweet red bean paste inside.
For something to cool off with, grab yourself some plum soft serve at the stall near the torii gate.
Gateway to the rest of Kyushu
With an international airport right in the city, Fukuoka makes a great jumping-off point for exploring Kyushu’s most scenic destinations. If you’re comfortable driving in Japan, you’ll have the freedom to explore mountain roads, coastal towns, and hot spring hideaways entirely on your own schedule.
Head to Yufuin for a stylish onsen getaway with quirky “villages”, cafés, and boutiques. Beppu is your spot for exploring hot spring “hells” and steam-cooked cuisine.
And if you’re up for a true countryside getaway, Mount Aso is one of the prettiest places in Kyushu. This is one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, surrounded by rolling grasslands and crater views that’ll have you feeling like you’re in a scene of The Sound of Music.
This is exactly what we did! From Fukuoka, we rented a car and embarked on a road trip through northern/central Kyushu. Simply put, it was an amazing time.
Girl Bars / Hostess Bars Culture
If you wander around Nakasu at night, you’ll definitely notice the neon signs and posters advertising “girls bars”. Our hotel was located in Nakasu, and we were so perplexed at why there were so many girl bars and hostess bars in the area.
Turns out, these bars are a big part of Fukuoka’s nightlife and cater mostly to local salarymen.
A girls bar is a casual drinking establishment where female staff serve drinks and talk with customers. Unlike hostess clubs or cabarets, there’s usually no table charge or time-based fee. You sit at a counter, order drinks for yourself (and sometimes for the staff), and enjoy light-hearted conversation.
While not generally aimed at tourists, it’s interesting to know how nightlife here isn’t just izakayas and karaoke — it’s also entertainment-based hospitality.
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
If you’ve never been to a baseball game in Japan (or Korea, for that matter), buckle up. This is not your typical Western ballgame experience.
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, going to a Softbank Hawks game at PayPay Dome is a blast. The fans are intense, the chants are coordinated, and the energy feels more like a concert than a ballgame.
Grab a jersey from the team shop, enjoy stadium curry, karaage, and crepes, and just go with it — you’ll be shouting along in no time!
Do You Need A Car To Explore Fukuoka?
Nope! You can get around Fukuoka just like you would in Tokyo or Osaka—by using public transportation. The city has an easy-to-navigate subway system, and you can take trains or buses to popular nearby destinations like Beppu, Yufuin, and Kumamoto pretty darn easily.
That said, if you’re hoping to venture beyond the usual tourist spots—think coastal drives west of Fukuoka, the rolling grasslands around Aso, or the pottery towns tucked into Saga Prefecture—having a car makes a huge difference.
After we rented our very first car in Japan for exploring Kyushu, it completely changed the way we think about traveling through Japan!
You can move at your own pace, stop for meals at countryside restaurants, and check out places you’d otherwise miss on a guided bus tour. It’s slow travel at its best, and for regions like this, we’re never going back to train-only trips!
If you plan to explore Kyushu beyond just Fukuoka, I recommend renting a car.
We rented a car through Toyota Rent-A-Car, but other popular local options include Nippon Rent-A-Car and Nissan Rent-A-Car. When we were in Japan, we saw these three brands at nearly all the major airports.
You can compare prices between the major brands using Klook’s car rental search.
👉 Pro Tip: When renting a car, choose the option that includes ETC, the automated toll system that allows you to drive directly past toll gates in the ETC lanes. Once you return your car, you’ll pay all the toll fees you’ve accumulated on your trip. This means no fumbling with coins while driving!
Planning Your Trip To Japan?
Here are a few other useful travel guides to help you plan the perfect trip to Japan.
Kyushu Region
- 10 Reasons Kyushu Is Japan’s Best-Kept Secret: Volcanoes, Onsen, and More!
- Everything We Did On Our Week-Long Kyushu Road Trip
- How To Spend A Perfect Day At Yufuin Onsen, Japan
- 15 Unmissable Things To Do In Beppu For First-Timers
- 7 Best Ryokans In Beppu, Japan (With Private Onsen)
- How We Spent 2 Days Relaxing In The Mount Aso Area
- 10 Amazing Onsen Towns In Japan To Visit On Your Next Trip
