Fukuoka: best things to do and day trips
After spending one magical night on Naoshima Island, the highlight of our one-month journey through Japan, we continued our adventure by taking the Shinkansen south to Fukuoka, the largest city on the island of Kyushu.
Located on the northern coast of Kyushu, Fukuoka is Japan’s fifth-largest city. Although we only stayed four days, we quickly realized that this wasn’t enough. The city is full of incredible places to visit and serves as the perfect base for exploring some of Kyushu’s most beautiful landscapes.
What surprised us the most was how authentic Fukuoka felt. We saw very few Western tourists, the locals were incredibly welcoming, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than in Tokyo or Kyoto.
In this article, I’ll share the best things to do in Fukuoka, our favorite day trips, where to stay, and why this city deserves a place on your Japan itinerary—especially if you’re traveling with a toddler.
Fukuoka is located on the northern coast of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. Thanks to its strategic location on Hakata Bay, it has long been one of Japan’s most important trading ports with the rest of Asia.
Today, Fukuoka perfectly blends modern city life with traditional Japanese culture. You’ll find impressive temples, excellent food, peaceful parks, beautiful beaches and easy access to mountains, making it one of the most enjoyable cities in Japan.
Tenjin or Hakata : where should you stay?
Fukuoka is generally divided into two main areas: Tenjin and Hakata.
Tenjin is the city’s vibrant shopping and entertainment district. It’s filled with department stores, fashion boutiques, cafés, restaurants and lively streets. In the evening, many of Fukuoka’s famous yatai (street food stalls) open around Tenjin, making it one of the best places to experience the city’s nightlife and local cuisine.
Hakata is the historical heart of Fukuoka and home to Hakata Station, the city’s main transportation hub. It’s the ideal area if you’re planning day trips around Kyushu. You’ll also find beautiful temples, traditional neighborhoods and some of Japan’s best ramen restaurants.
What to do and visit in Fukuoka ?
1. Visit Nanzoin Temple and the Giant Reclining Buddha
Without any hesitation, this was our favorite day trip from Fukuoka.
Located about 30 minutes from the city center, Nanzoin Temple is home to one of the largest bronze reclining Buddhas in the world. Representing Buddha entering Nirvana, the statue measures an incredible 41 meters long, 11 meters high, and weighs around 300 tons.
Getting there couldn’t be easier. From Hakata Station, simply take the JR Sasaguri Line to Kido Nanzoin-mae Station. From there, it’s just a five-minute walk to the temple entrance.
While the giant Buddha is undoubtedly impressive, don’t stop there. The temple complex stretches across a peaceful forested hillside and is home to dozens of smaller shrines, Buddhist statues, caves and hidden pathways. We highly recommend taking your time to wander through the forest and simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
One tip: remember to dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and knees, as this is still an active place of worship.
2. Discover Meoto Iwa in Itoshima
Our second favorite excursion was a day trip to Itoshima, a beautiful coastal region located about one hour from Fukuoka by bus.
The main attraction here is Meoto Iwa, also known as the « Married Rocks. » These two sacred rocks are connected by a massive sacred straw rope called a shimenawa, symbolizing marriage, harmony and eternal union.
Every spring, during the highest tides, the rope, weighing nearly one tonne, is replaced during a traditional ceremony involving more than fifty local volunteers.
Standing in front of the rocks is a beautiful white torii gate. At low tide, visitors can walk all the way to its base, while at high tide it appears to float on the sea, creating one of Kyushu’s most iconic landscapes.
The surrounding beach is peaceful and lined with cafés and small restaurants overlooking the ocean. Although swimming isn’t particularly popular among Japanese people, we loved spending a few hours there, dipping our feet in the water while our two-year-old played on the beach.
If you’re traveling with young children, this is a lovely excursion. However, if your time in Fukuoka is limited, it isn’t an absolute must-see.
3. Ainoshima Island : a peaceful cat island near Fukuoka
We spent a day exploring Ainoshima Island, one of Japan’s most famous cat islands.
Located off the coast of Fukuoka, this tiny island covers only 1.25 km² and is home to around 500 inhabitants. It offers a completely different atmosphere from the busy city, with a peaceful and authentic charm that makes it a perfect day trip.
How to get to Ainoshima island ?
Getting to Ainoshima requires a little planning. From Fukuoka, you first need to take the Ai-land bus to Shingū Port, then board a ferry for a journey of around 20 minutes to the island.
There are only 4 to 5 ferries per day, so we highly recommend checking the timetable in advance and planning your visit around the ferry schedule. Missing the boat can mean waiting several hours for the next departure!
The main attraction of Ainoshima is, of course, its cats. Most of them can be found around the port area, where they patiently wait for visitors… and especially for anyone carrying food! They quickly understand where they need to be to receive a little attention.
However, don’t expect the scenes you might have seen online or in AI-generated images showing hundreds of cats covering the island. The reality is much quieter. There are many cats, but they are spread out, living peacefully alongside the local residents.
Beyond the cats, what surprised us the most about Ainoshima was its incredible tranquillity. This small island is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a different pace of life.
We loved wandering through the narrow traditional streets, discovering small houses, and walking through the surrounding lush nature. Away from the crowds of Fukuoka, Ainoshima offers a peaceful and authentic glimpse of rural Japan.
If you are planning to have lunch on the island, make sure to go early! There is only one restaurant, located at the port above the souvenir shop and the ferry ticket counter. When we arrived around 1:30 pm, they unfortunately had no more food available for the day. So if you want to enjoy a meal there, it’s better not to wait until the afternoon.
4. Experience Fukuoka's Famous Yatai Street Food
One of the experiences you simply can’t miss in Fukuoka is eating at one of its famous yatai.
Every evening, dozens of small outdoor food stalls appear along the streets of Tenjin, Nakasu and Hakata. Locals and visitors gather around tiny counters to enjoy ramen, grilled skewers, seafood and many local specialties.
We absolutely loved this experience. The Japanese customers welcomed us warmly, recommended dishes we had never tried before, and we ended up discovering flavors we hadn’t found anywhere else during our trip.
Thanks to its location on Hakata Bay, Fukuoka is also renowned for its exceptionally fresh seafood.
Other amazing day trips from Fukuoka
If you have more time than we did, Fukuoka is the perfect base for exploring even more of Kyushu.
Some of the best day trips include:
- Mount Hiko for beautiful hiking trails and mountain scenery.
- Takachiho Gorge, one of Japan’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
- Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines.
- Yanagawa and its traditional canal boat cruises.
- Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, a fantastic destination for families with young children.
Is Fukuoka worth visiting?
Absolutely.
Fukuoka combines everything we love about Japan: welcoming locals, incredible food, authentic neighborhoods, efficient transportation and unforgettable day trips.
Despite being one of Japan’s biggest cities, it remains surprisingly relaxed and much less crowded than Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
If you’re looking to experience another side of Japan while exploring Kyushu, Fukuoka should definitely be part of your itinerary.
Next stop : Hiroshima
After four unforgettable days discovering Fukuoka and the beauty of Kyushu, we boarded the Shinkansen once again for one of the most emotional stops of our one-month journey through Japan: Hiroshima.
In the next article, I’ll share our complete Hiroshima itinerary, the places that deeply moved us, and why this city is much more than its history.
