FUKUOKA travel GUIDE: budget Itinerary, things to Do

Fukuoka is the name of both the capital city and the prefecture. This Fukuoka travel guide focuses mainly on Fukuoka City but also features other places in the prefecture that can be easily accessed from the capital. It also includes Fukuoka hotel and trip recommendations, sample Fukuoka itinerary, and other travel tips.

Fukuoka is a city that I often overlook. and I imply that in much more ways than one.

My sister has been living in Hiroshima for a while now. While Hiroshima has its own airport, the most affordable way to get there from the Philippines is flying to Fukuoka. I have done this route numerous times now. For the longest time, however, the only view I had of Fukuoka was through the window of the plane or the train, never up close. Fukuoka was never my destination, just a place to pass through. That until this year, when I chose to finally stop and see what the city has to offer.

It turned out that Fukuoka is delicious. and I imply that in much more ways than one, too.

WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING FUKUOKA
BEST TIME TO visit FUKUOKA
HOW TO get TO FUKUOKAManila to Fukuoka
Fukuoka airport to City CenterBy Subway
By Bus
By Taxi

FUKUOKA POCKET WIFI
HOW TO get around FUKUOKAFukuoka Passes
Train Pass for Fukuoka + Hiroshima
Train Pass for Fukuoka + other Cities in Kyushu
Nationwide JR PASS?

THINGS TO do in FUKUOKAFukuoka Food trip
Traditional Japanese shopping Tour
Street shopping Tour
Historical Hakata Tour

PLACES TO visit IN FUKUOKA PREFECTUREYanagawa River Cruise
Nanzoin temple and the Reclining Buddha
Kawachi Wisteria Garden
Nokonoshima Island flower Park
Fukuoka Castle Ruins and Ohori Park
Canal City Hakata

WHERE TO stay IN FUKUOKATop Fukuoka budget hotels below ¥6000
Search for much more Fukuoka Hotels

SAMPLE FUKUOKA ITINERARY
FREQUENTLY ASKED questions about FUKUOKAIs Fukuoka safe?
What is the tipping policy in Japan?
How long is the recommended stay in Fukuoka?
Do I need a visa to visit Fukuoka?

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UNDERSTANDING FUKUOKA

I admit, the most significant reason I wanted to finally explore Fukuoka can be spelled in five letters: RAMEN. Damn. I’m salivating just writing that. (Sorry for the mental image.) but it’s true. Ramen, for me, is Japan’s second greatest contribution to mankind. (Next only to anime, of course, haha.) I don’t understand why it took me so long to give Fukuoka some love and attention.

For many, Fukuoka is the ramen capital of the world and the birthplace of the most revered tonkotsu ramen, well-known for its pork bone-based broth. In Fukuoka and Kyushu in general, tonkotsu is synonymous with Hakata ramen, named after the city’s central ward.

Hakata was a city on its own. but in 1889, it was merged with neighbor Fukuoka, present-day Tenjin, to form a bigger prefectural capital. Today, Hakata and Tenjin are the two wards making up the city center, where many of the action happens. The two are divided by a river. Hakata station retains its name and is the centrail railway station in Fukuoka.

One thing I discovered about Fukuoka is that although it is undoubtedly modern, it moves at a gentle, unwinded pace. This makes Fukuoka an ideal choice for travelers going to Japan for the first time or a ideal first stop in a multi-city trip around the archipelago.

Other info you need to know:

Language: Japanese (Nihongo). The majority of the locals seldom speak English, but many of the signs and other traveler promotional materials have English translations.

Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). JPY 1000 is around USD 9, EUR 7.7, SGD12.3, PHP 479 (as of July 2018).

Modes of payment: many establishments choose cash payment, but numerous of them also accept credit report card transactions.

Electricity Info: 100V, 50/60 Hz. type A sockets. Plugs have two flat pins. type B is in some cases used but not that common.

BEST TIME TO visit FUKUOKA

October to November, all things considered. These months delight in enjoyable and dry weather, ideal for sightseeing. October is when temperatures begin to drop to 18.8C average. It’s also the least popular among tourists, which makes exploring a lot less stressful.

Graph courtesy of world Bank
If you don’t mind the cold, winter season is a good option too. The temperature can plunge to 5.2C average, but it also sees the lowest precipitation levels. It’s the second busiest season as far as tourism is concerned, especially from January-February.

The summer months of June-August are the busiest, the hottest, and the most expensive.

HOW TO get TO FUKUOKA

Fukuoka airport (FUK) is the primary gateway to Fukuoka City and Kyushu Island in general. It is Japan’s fourth busiest airport (next to Haneda, Narita, and Kansai) and is connected to practically every other airport in the country.

Manila to Fukuoka

The most affordable year-round fares for Manila-Fukuoka are provided by Cebu Pacific, which flies every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. travel time is 3 hours, 55 minutes.

This can still go much lower when there’s a SEAT SALE. because it’s not as popular as other Japanese destinations like Osaka and Tokyo, there are typically much more promotion seats on Fukuoka flights and less competition. It’s just much simpler to snag promotion fares for Fukuoka.

Fukuoka airport to City Center

The good news is: Fukuoka airport is within the city. Hakata Station, which is the most significant and the central train station in the city, is only around 5 minutes by subway or 15 minutes by taxi. There are also a lot of hotels in the Tenjin area. Tenjin station is just 12 minutes away by subway.

The bad news is: The domestic and international terminals are housed in two separate buildings located on either side of the runway. The fastest way to reach the city center is the subway, but only the domestic terminal has a subway station.

No worries, though. There is a totally free airport bus service that ferries passengers from the international to the domestic terminal. other modes of transportation are also available to reach the city center.

By Subway

If reaching the international Terminal, you need to take the totally free shuttle bus to the domestic terminal first.

Go to Bus stop 1 and wait for a bus.

Alight at domestic terminal 2, the last stop, where the subway station is located.

Go down to the underground level and get a ticket.

Take the Kuko Line for Meinohama or Chikuzemmaebaru.

Alight at Hakata Station, which is only 2 stops away. travel time: 5 minutes. Fare: ¥260.
If you’re going to Tenjin Station, it’s 3 stops away. travel time: 12 minutes. Fare: ¥260.

By Bus

The bus is the most affordable way to reach the city center.

Get a ticket from a ticket machine. even if you method the manned counter, you’ll be pointed to the ticket machine.

Go to Bus stop #2.

If going to Hakata Station, ride the City Bus (Nishitetsu bus). This bus also stops in Tenjin. travel time to Hakata Station: 15-20 minutes. Fare: ¥260 (Hakata), ¥310 (Tenjin).
– If your hotel is closer to Tenjin City Hall or Canal City Hakata, go to Bus stop #4 and take the royal Bus. travel time: around 30 minutes.

By Taxi

Surprisingly, taking the taxi from the airport to the city center isn’t as expensive as I thought. If you’re a group of 3, this is a compelling choice, especially if you have heavy luggage in tow.

Here are the typical rates:

Fukuoka airport to Hakata Station: ¥1200

Fukuoka airport to Tenjin-minami: ¥1580

Fukuoka airport to Tenjin Station: ¥1830

Hakata station to Tenjin-minami: ¥1080

FUKUOKA POCKET WIFI

Image offered by Klook
Because of the language barrier, having a good Internet connection in Fukuoka can help save you time and money. You will want this with you to get around: when navigating, using Hyperdia and Google maps, converting yen to your currency, and translating signs.

Klook’s limitless 4G LTE pocket wifi service is a convenient option because you can pick it up at Fukuoka airport and return it at practically any major airport in Japan. It also uses Softbank, which I have found to be reliable. It can also connect up to 14 devices, which implies you can split the cost with a group. here are much more bits about it:

Unlimited 4G LTE and 3G data

Wide coverage all over Japan

No deposit required

Can connect up to 14 devices

Battery life: 9 hours

Return at any other major airport in Japan (see list)

The only problem is, it sells out fast. So if you have a scheduled trip to Japan, reserve it as early as you can.

✅ check rates or RESERVE HERE

HOW TO get around FUKUOKA

Most essential traveler spots in Fukuoka are available by subway. If you’ve traveled to Japan before, you’ll have no problem exploring Fukuoka. It’s pretty much the same.

If it’s your first time in Japan, it is essential to be familiar with how to use the train. One thing that has proven helpful to me again and again is Hyperdia. It’s a web-based search engine that would tell you train schedules and routes instantly. just make sure you know the nearest train station to your destination and let Hyperdia do the rest.

Don’t worry. In the places to visit (Things to Do) section below, I’m indicating the station closest to each attraction.

For much more information on how to use Hyperdia and Japan’s train system, read: how TO use HYPERDIA.

Fukuoka Passes

If you’re staying within Fukuoka City only and you’re taking public transportation multiple times a day, get one of the following passes:

Fukuoka traveler City Pass, which will enable you limitless rides on buses, trains, and subways around the city (except Nishitetsu Train). Valid for 1 day. Price: ¥820 for adults and ¥410 for children.

1-Day subway Pass, which will allow you limitless rides on any Fukuoka City subway routes (Kuko Line, Hakozaki Line, and Nanakuma Line). subway only, buses excluded. Valid only for 1 day, on the day of purchase. Price: ¥620 for adults and ¥310 for children.

2-Daysubway Pass, which will allow you limitless rides on any Fukuoka City subway routes (Kuko Line, Hakozaki Line, and Nanakuma Line). subway only, buses excluded. Valid for 2 days starting on the day of first use. Price: ¥720 for adults and ¥360 for children.

Note that these are not valid on JR lines.

If you think none of these passes are for you but you don’t want to fall in line or get a ticket each time you use public transportation, you can use HAYAKAKEN instead. HAYAKAKEN is an IC card similar to ICOCA, SUICA or PASMO. All you need to do is hover the card upon entry to the subway station or bus and you’re good to go.

All these passes are available at the following spots among others:

Hakata station traveler information Center

Fukuoka airport Bus Terminals and information Desk

Hakata Port international terminal general information Counter

Tenjin traveler information Center

Train Pass for Fukuoka + Hiroshima

If you plan on exploring multiple destinations with Hiroshima Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture and coming in through Fukuoka, consider the JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi area Pass. This will enable you to get limitless access to designated JR trains (including shinkansen) and bus lines within Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. This also covers shinkansen rides to and from Fukuoka (Hakata) and ferry ride to Miyajima.

If your trip is only 5 days, this is a good deal. The shinkansen ride from Hakata station (Fukuoka) to Hiroshima alone is already over ¥8000, one way. but this pass costs only ¥11,000 and it gives you much more.

Price: ¥11,000
Validity: 5 days

✅ RESERVE A discounted PASS!

Train Pass for Fukuoka + other Cities in Kyushu

If you plan on going to multiple destinations on Kyushu Island aside from Fukuoka City, it may be wise to get a JR Kyushu Rail Pass. There are 3 types available: the southern Kyushu Pass, the northern Kyushu Pass, and the ALL Kyushu Rail Pass. only the last 2 cover Fukuoka.

JR northern Kyushu Rail Pass, which covers the northern cities of the island including Fukuoka. available in 3-day and 5-day versions.

ALL Kyushu Rail Pass, which gives you limitless access to the JR rail network within the island, north and south included. available in 3-day and 5-day versions.

✅ check rates or RESERVE HERE!

Nationwide JR PASS?

If you’re going to Fukuoka ONLY, you don’t need a JR Pass. It’s only for those who will make multiple long-distance journeys.

When is it wise to purchase a JR Pass? If you’re going to multiple cities in Japan and you’re staying for at least 7 days. If your schedule is much more like that, purchase a pass before your trip. Klook provides the most affordable JR Passes available. If you live in the Philippines, the pass will be delivered to you in 7 days.

✅ check JR PASS rates HERE

THINGS TO do in FUKUOKA

Fukuoka is easy to explore, and numerous of the attractions can be accessed DIY-style. However, it would be great if you join guided trips in purchase to have better understanding and greater appreciation of each stop instead of just gawking at it.

Having a guide implies having much more info not just about the history of the places you visit but also insights into the way of life in the city.

Most trips begin at Hakata Station.

Fukuoka Food trip

Fukuoka’s most significant draw: FOOD! Fukuoka is the ramen capital of the world and the birthplace of the very yummy tonkotsu ramen!

On top of that, while the rest of Japan isn’t big on street food, Fukuoka embraces it big time, as apparent in the popularity of yatai here.

A yatai (屋台) is a mobile food cart or stand stationed on the sidewalk. It typically opens in the early evening and closes in early morning. much more than half of all the yatai in Japan can be found in Fukuoka. many of them sell ramen, but other stalls offer a variety of other dishes like hotpot, yakitori, and seafood. There’s even one that serves French delicacies like escargot with wine!

We’ve created a separate post for it! read it here: WHERE TO eat cheap IN FUKUOKA.

Traditional Japanese shopping Tour

Image offered by Klook
Hakata has always been an eclectic trading city. numerous of the