FUKUOKA IS SAID TO BE THE OLDEST CITY IN JAPAN. IT IS KYUSHU’S LARGEST AND ONE OF JAPAN’S TEN MOST POPULOUS CITIES.

FUKUOKA HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT HARBOR CITY FOR MANY CENTURIES AND WAS CHOSEN BY THE MONGOL INVASION FORCES AS THEIR LANDING POINT IN THE 13TH CENTURY. TODAY’S FUKUOKA IS A PRODUCT OF THE FUSION OF TWO TOWNS : FUKUOKA AND HAKATA. THE TOWN MERGED IN 1889 BUT HAKATA REMAINS THE NAME OF ONE OF FUKUOKA’S CENTRAL DISTRICTS.

IT IS FAMOUS FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL HAKATA DOLLS, MADE FROM CLAY. YOU’LL ALSO FIND IT AS A FOODIE TOWN AND A SHOPPING HAVEN. UNLIKE TOKYO OR KYOTO, FUKUOKA OFFER AN UNHURRIED APPROACH TO EXPLORING JAPAN. THERE ARE PLENTY OF BEACHES, HISTORY AND ART MUSEUMS TO EXPLORE.

FUKUOKA IS ONLY 200 KM FROM BUSAN AND IS POPULAR WITH SOUTH KOREAN HOLIDAYMAKERS.

PORT GUIDE

PORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION -Your Fukuoka cruise ship may dock in one of two terminals: the Chuo Wharf or the Hakozaki Wharf. The port of Hakata has grown considerably in recent years to accommodate cruise traffic and hosts hundreds of cruise ships each year as Fukuoka grows in population and international renown. There is also free wifi available in the cruise terminal.

This is a link to a map in an external website. You can view the port area information through its zoom feature. (Printable Map to take along).

Port Location Map Below

https://www.google.co.jp/maps/@33.609607,130.401567,19z?hl=en

TRANSPORTATION IN FUKUOKA

Taxis are common at the cruise gate and are ready to take passengers into the center of Fukuoka. When taking a taxi, it’s helpful to show the driver a map or write down the name of your destination if you speak little to no Japanese. Buses are also a popular mode of transportation during your day in Fukuoka, and there are three subway lines. Both the buses and the subway system offer a one-day pass. Tourist city passes are popular for travelers, which provide discounted admission to attractions in Fukuoka as well as cover your train and bus fare during your trip.

NISHITETSU BUS - which covers most of Fukuoka's metropolitan area. It's convenient for going to places like Hakata and Tenjin of course, but also to places like Kyushu's largest outlet mall, Marinoa City, and Yahuoku! Dome, where sports events and concerts take place. Official website : http://www.nishitetsu.jp/en/

If you're moving around major areas like Hakata, Nakasu or Tenjin, we recommend the 100 yen loop bus. You can get a ride for 100 yen no matter where you're getting off, so it's cheaper than any other means of transportation.

Look at the electric sign board at the top of the front of the bus. There is a 100 yen mark, indicating that this is a 100 yen loop bus.

NISHITETSU TRAIN - There are three main railway and subway corporations (Nishitetsu, Fukuoka City Subway, JR) running trains in Fukuoka.

When moving south from the Tenjin area of Fukuoka, the Nishitetsu Train is convenient. The number of trains is plentiful, and you can keep your travel time at a minimum because there is no traffic. We recommend you use it when you're headed for some river cruising in Yanagawa (Japanese) or visiting Dazaifu Tenmangū.

If you're using Fukuoka Airport you should take the subway, as it is only 2 stations from the airport to Hakata station. It's also convenient when you are headed towards the west side of Fukuoka, as well as Nakasu and Tenjin.

JR LINES - If you want to get around not only the Fukuoka city area, but all around Fukuoka prefecture, you should use the JR lines. You can get to Kitakyūshū's Moji Port (Japanese) as well as almost all areas of Fukuoka prefecture via the JR lines. You can get to destinations that the Nishitetsu trains and Nishitetsu bus cannot take you, so if you want to enjoy the entire prefecture, the JR lines are for you.

There are many ways to get around Fukuoka. Choose the one best fit for your destination, schedule and needs!

TOP SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS FOR CRUISES TO FUKUOKA

SHIKANOSHIMA -A jaunt to the island of Shikanoshima will take you about a half hour via ferry. The island hosts a variety of workshops at the Sugon Ji temple, including everything from meditation to the art of matcha. You can rent bikes to ride around the island leisurely. Be sure to check out the Shinto shrine, which has long held significance and importance for locals.

HAKATA MACHIYA FURUSTAO-KAN - This folk museum is one of the most fascinating historic sites in all of Fukuoka. Here, you’ll get a glimpse at Hakata artifacts and culture, from crafts created hundreds of years ago to recordings of the Hakata regional dialect. This museum also unfolds over three machiya, or traditional townhouses providing a glimpse of the Meiji and Taisho periods. Everything pays homage to the area’s past. It’s a must-experience museum for Japanese history buffs.

FUKUOKA ASIAN ART MUSEUM - Another renowned museum in the area is the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, where a wealth of contemporary art is housed. There are nearly 3,000 pieces for you to enjoy here. Past exhibits have covered contemporary works from over 20 countries. Leave an afternoon to soak up the beauty of traditional and modern Asian art in the heart of Fukuoka.

FUKUOKA TOWER - Located beside Hakata Bay, the Hakata Port Tower is considered the city’s landmark. At the observation deck of Fukuoka Tower, you’ll stand over 750 feet above ground, towering over the rest of the city. It is covered in 8,000 one-way mirrors that reflect the sunlight and passing clouds making it a visually appealing piece of architecture and engineering. Fukuoka Tower is known as the “tallest seaside tower” in Japan, so you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of both the city and the outstretched waters of Hakata Bay.

FUKUOKA CASTLE RUINS - Don’t miss the city’s most enduring site, the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, on your cruise to Fukuoka. Walk through the ruins of this once-impressive castle built during Japan’s Edo period and marvel at hundreds of years of history. During March and April, cherry blossoms unfurl beautifully, making it a popular spot for photo shoots, picnics, and family fun.

OHORI PARK - Take a stroll through this picturesque city park if you want to steal a few moments in nature. You’ll feel like a local as you walk or cycle along the pond, or enjoy the tranquility of the garden here. It used to be a moat for the adjacent Fukuoka Castle.

OHORI KOEN JAPANESE GARDEN - The Ohori Koen Japanese Garden is a beautiful oasis adjacent to the Ohori Park. Focusing on traditional beauty that makes this a truly Japanese garden, modern features are added to this wonderful combination of mountain, forestry, and waters.

The area is 12,000 sq/m. The man-made mountain is the perfect place to relax with the waters flowing around the large lake, the rock garden, and many tea rooms with outdoor gardens.

GET OUT OF TOWN

DAZAIFU TENMANGU SHRINE - is a popular site in Dazaifu City. The shrine enshrines a god of academics, Michizane Sugawara, and welcomes many visitors from Japan and abroad who come to pray for passing an examination. There are many must-sees such as the Momoyama-style 'honden' (the main shrine), 'tobiume' (the sacred plum tree) and 'homotsuden' (the treasure hall) housing a national treasure. Click here for more information.

YANAGAWA RIVER CRUISE -take the famous river boat ride that runs various places in the city by a gondola-like Donko boat, and enjoy the scenic view of riverside town. The 4 km-long stretch of river in the water city of Yanagawa has been designated as a national site of Scenic Beauty. The trip can be enjoyed in all seasons with cherry blossoms in the spring, illuminated boats in the summer and colorful leaves in the fall.

Click here for access information.

WHAT TO EAT

Fukuoka is known for regional delicacies that you must try during your cruise to Fukuoka, like tonkotsu ramen, motsunabe, and mizutaki. Tonkotsu ramen, also known as Hakata ramen, which is best known for the consistency of the noodles, are boiled for just 10 seconds. Then there’s motsunabe, a soup of beef, pork, cabbage, and leeks with miso which makes a comforting and nutrient-dense lunch. Or try the mizutaki, a hotpot of meat and vegetables that locals find especially warming in the winter. The food scene in Fukuoka is casual with lots of food stands and food trucks, where the flavor of the food is more important than the presentation

FUKUOKA’S YATAI- open air food stands ) are possibly the city's best known symbol. Yatai can generally seat about seven or eight people and provide an atmospheric outdoor environment to enjoy various foods that are generally simple and filling. There are dozens of yatai scattered across Fukuoka, but the best place to find them is on the southern end of Nakasu Island. Check this official guide to Fukuoka Yatai.

Typical dishes enjoyed at yatai are grilled chicken skewers (yakitori), hot pot (oden) and most famously Hakata Ramen, a local noodle dish featuring relatively thin ramen noodles in a pork bone based soup (tonkotsu). Various alcoholic drinks are also available.

Yatai are typically open from around 6pm to around 2am, except when the weather is very bad. There can be waiting times for popular stands, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

Yatai are located throughout the city center, and visitors will likely come across some while walking through busy tourist areas in the evening.

To reach the row of stalls on Nakasu Island travelers can take the convenient 100 yen loop bus from Hakata Station or Tenjin Station (100 yen, departures every 5-10 minutes). The closest subway stations are Nakasu Kawabata Station and Minami Tenjin Station, which are both about a 10 minute walk away.

SHOPPING

WHERE TO BUY -There is a lot of shopping in this part of Japan, and you’ll find everything from small boutiques to big-name department stores in different shopping districts. The Daimyō district is the place to find local Japanese designer fashions, while the Watanabe-dōri is best for department store bargain hunting. Don’t leave town without checking out the regional art of weaving called Hakata-ori, which is one of Japan’s distinctive styles of textiles.

CANAL CITY HAKATA - is a large commercial complex with hotels, a theater, cinemas, shops and restaurants. It may take more than one day to experience all facilities. The Ramen Stadium where visitors can enjoy tasting famous local ramen noodles of all over Japan is popular.

TENJIN AREA JR HAKATA STATION AREA - Tenjin area is a shopper’s paradise with many shops along the streets such as department stores and apparel-related facilities. There are also many must-sees in Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall, a 590m-long underground shopping street with some 150 shops. JR Hakata Station area has spots to enjoy dining and shopping mainly in the JR Hakata City building and gives foreign tourists 5% discount for purchase

LOCAL CURRENCY AND TIPPING CUSTOMS

Japanese currency is the yen, and it’s handy to have change and coins with you to grab a taxi or take a bus. There are ATMs widely available, too, but many banks in Japan will only accept Japanese bank-issued cards. Mastercard and Visa are commonly accepted in many parts of Japan as well. Tipping at a restaurant is often refused, and it is not necessary to tip your taxi driver in most cases. Japanese culture is incredibly polite and thankful, so be sure to verbally thank your taxi driver or service worker.