Areas to Visit Near Hakata in Three Days

It's been 7 months since I traveled solo and I have been thirsty to take another journey to see amazing places in Japan. I chose to travel down to south because I never actually got around the area when I visited for a school excursion. Some of my friends were around as well so it was a good opportunity to catch up. I felt very lucky that the winter season is actually here because that means it's illumination season. There were a lot of beautiful lights that made me feel more excited for Christmas.

DAY ONE

Highlights: Ohori Park, Kushida Shrine, Touchou Temple, Fukuoka Tower and JR Hakata Station

Arriving at 7 am after a long sleeping journey in the bus, I'm finally in Fukuoka again

Fukuoka Ohori Park

The name Ōhori means a large moat and it derives from the fact that Kuroda Nagamasa, the old lord of Fukuoka, reclaimed the northern half of a cove or an inlet called Kusagae which was facing Hakata Bay and made a moat for the Fukuoka Castle. At the same time the Hii (Tajima) River, which was flowing into the cove, was diverted from its course to the west.

The park is one of the most beautiful water parks in Japan. It is really cozy around as how nature surrounds you so you can enjoy a stroll in a calm atmosphere. People usually jog or run in the area; and if you want to rest for a bit, there are cafes in the area which is very accessible. Ohori Park Japanese Garden and the long bridge is very popular in the area.

Address: Ohori Koen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka View on Google Maps

Access: By Subway - Get off at Ohorikoen Station and walk for few minutes

Kushida Shrine

It is dedicated to the gods of Ohatanushi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-omikami, and Susanowo-no-mikoto. According to tradition, in 757, when Emperor Koken was in the reign and Tairano Kiyomori designated Hakata port as a base of Japan-China trade, the shrine was built on the emperor’s order to share a god with Kushida shrine of Ise province (the present Mie prefecture).

In 1585 during the Hakata restoration, Toyotomi Hideyoshi contributed to rebuilding the current main building of the shrine.

Arrived at the site at past 8 am and it is already crowded. The shrine is known for its long-twisted-straw ornament hanging in front of the gate. When you visit the shrine, don't miss your chance to drink well water, check out the festival floats, check your strength through Chikara Ishi and Omikuji. If you happen to visit in winter, don't miss out the chance to pass through the mouth of the largest Otafuku in Japan.

Address1-41, Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka View on Google Maps

Access: By Subway- 8min. walk from Subway Stations “Nakasu-kawabata” or “Gion”

TEL092-291-2951

Business hoursMain hall: 4:00-22:00

Tochoji Temple

This head temple of Shingon Buddhism Kyushu sect is given the special name Nangakuzan. It is dedicated to a famous monk called Kobo-Daishi (Kukai). According to tradition, Kobo-daishi set up this temple when he came back from China and prayed for the eastward dissemination of Tantric Buddhism. This is one of the oldest temples in Japan that Kobo-Daishi set up. It was originally situated at the seaside area and later relocated to the present site by Kuroda Tadayuki, the second lord of Fukuoka province. This temple became a family temple of Kuroda family and now has graves of the second lord Tadayuki, the third Mitsuyuki and the eighth Harutaka. Miles of land and mountains were donated to the temple. This temple is now designated as a historical site of the city. Senjukan-non Buddhist statue of the temple is from the Heian era. It was carved from a single log of Chinese black pine. The statue is only 87 centimeters in height but stands up with a stately atmosphere. The statue is designated as a nationally important cultural property.

The temple is popular for its Rakkudo (the orange hut designed structure) and The Great Buddha of Fukuoka which is located inside the temple located on the second floor.

Address: 2-4, Gokusho-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka View on Google Maps

Access: By Subway - Get off at Gion Station & 1 minute walk. TEL: 092-291-4459

Fukuoka Tower

This tower of 234 meters above sea level is the tallest beach tower in Japan. This symbolic building of Fukuoka’s western subcenter, covered by as many as 8000 half-mirrors and boasting a sharp appearance with its triangular structure, is known by the name of Mirror Sail. The panoramic view of Fukuoka city from the observation room on the 5th floor of 123 meters high is fantastic. The room is equipped with up-to-date telescopes. Come seasons of Tanabata (traditional star festival) or Christmas, the tower romantically decorates the night view of the city with illumination lights on its half mirrors. On the first floor are shops of local specialties such as Hakata’s traditional confections or mentaiko (cod ovum), an eat-in cafe and a European style restaurant.

After a few hours of rest, I decided to continue my journey and go a little bit further from the main city. It was challenging to catch the bus at the time. Although they have screens in the bus station to guide you, it was pretty confusing for me as it was very different from my city. There was bad traffic on my way as the kpop singers, BigBang just finished their concert that caused a huge crowd on the streets. So I felt very lucky to arrive in the tower before it closes.

The beauty of the city lights was very calming to see after a long journey. If you love illuminations as I do, you must not miss the tower at night as it has illumination on the floor at the viewing deck that makes the city view even more perfect!

Address: 2-3-26, Momochi-hama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka View on Google Maps

Access: By Bus - take Nishitetsu bus (No.14, 15, 24, 204 or 151) and get off at Fukuoka Tower Minami-guchi stop. (2 min. walk) TEL092-823-0234

Business hours: April - September 9:30-22:00 October - March 9:30-21:00 *Open to change during holidaysRegular holidaysMonday and Tuesday of the last week of June (If the Tuesday falls on July, Monday and Tuesday of the previous week become substitute holidays.)

JR HakataStation

What amazed me the most on my first day in Fukuoka was the beautiful lights in JR Hakata Station. For a moment I forgot how cold it was as the scenery was so magical that it mesmerized me.

DAY TWO

Highlights : Tenjin and Ichiran's Hakata Ramen

I was pretty exhausted from coming down and spending the whole day exploring so I started my day a little bit late. We visited Tenjin, a shopping area where almost every fashion brands to high-end designer shops is there. There are so many beautiful spots that you could enjoy and the street lights and illuminations were totally stunning. There is a lot of photo spot in the area as well that you could enjoy.

Tenjin

Of course, when you're in Fukuoka, one of the food you shouldn't miss it Hakata Ramen! People say that, the popular Ichiran's Hakata Ramen isn't actually the 'actual' taste, but waiting for almost an hour actually worth it!

Address: 2 Chome-1-５７ Daimyo, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0041

Phone: 092-713-6631

When you enter the shop, you gotta buy a ticket from a machine. Later, the staff will hand you a form where you could customize your ramen on how you want it done. They'll guide you in a seat that has walls and a window in front of you where they'll serve you your ramen in a bowl that looks like a typical Japanese lunch box. It was so amazing!

DAY THREE

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Among the hundreds of Tenmangu Shrines throughout Japan, Dazaifu's (大宰府天満宮, Dazaifu Tenmangū) is the most important one alongside Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu. Tenmangu Shrines are dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian Period. Because of his great learning, Michizane has been associated with Tenjin, a Shinto deity of education, and is popular among students.

This is one of the Shrine I have been dying to visit since and I've finally brought myself there! Do you know the feeling? I was so excited on my way there and it was the place I was looking forward to the most. One of the reason is because of the interior of the Starbucks branch located in the area. Visiting here actually completed my trip and gave me full satisfaction.

Address: 4 Chome-7-１ Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117

Phone: 092-922-8225 Burials: Sugawara no Michizane, Bunta Sugawara

Canal City

Canal City is one the closest shopping center from JR Hakata Station and Tenjin for about 10-15 minutes walk. You can find various apparel shops ,restaurants, etc. The place is also popular for its light-ups and fountain show.

Address: 1 Chome-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0018

Website: https://canalcity.co.jp/english

Before going back to my city, I met an old friend in Canal City and had dinner in a cafe. We had a catch up after not seeing for 7 months after graduating from the university. It is just amazing how I can meet old friends in a different city and continue on making memories together.

Traveling guide to Fukuoka

Yokonavi - https://yokanavi.com/en/

This trip made me realize that I may consider living outside Takamatsu. I never thought of living outside my city until I visited beautiful places in Fukuoka. It felt like home even though I was away for a while. I have traveled places in Japan but I never felt of actually thinking of 'moving' to a different city to live. I have few friends around as well so it was really enjoyable to be around and somehow felt like I am home.