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Fukuoka – Kyushu’s Compact Metropolitan Gateway

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Fukuoka – Kyushu’s Compact Metropolitan Gateway

Just 11 minutes from the airport to a city center full of culture, nature and food

Fukuoka City

The largest city on the island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a compact metropolis offering rich history, architecture, art, shopping and delicious cuisine, while also offering quick and easy access to the sea and mountains.

Some say Fukuoka has the best street food scene in Japan, so you must have at least a snack at a yatai outdoor food stall! A good place to find them is Nakasu Island in the middle of the city. Pull up a stool and choose from dishes like tonkotsu pork broth ramen, yakitori grilled chicken, gyoza dumplings, beer and sake. Seating just 6-8 diners, service is quick and they are a great place to socialise with locals and other visitors to the city – many likely to be Japanese tourists from other parts of Japan.

Sights include Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Kyushu National Museum, Ohori Park, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, Tocho-ji Temple, and Canal City, a giant entertainment complex with shops, cafés, restaurants, a theatre, game centre, cinemas, two hotels and a canal running through the complex.

Easily accessible from other parts of Japan by shinkansen, Fukuoka is also a major gateway to Asia, with many international flight services from Fukuoka Airport. You may even wish to fly into Fukuoka to begin your Japan holiday as the city’s central Tenjin district is just 11 minutes from the airport by subway.

In May 2022, Fukuoka hosts the 19th FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation [English: International Swimming Federation]) World Championships. The tournament is second only to the Olympics in terms of importance in the world of aquatic sports. Athletes compete across six different disciplines swimming, diving, high diving, water polo, artistic swimming and open water swimming. Visit Fukuoka in spring 2022 to see the world’s top water sports athletes compete for gold.