Top 8 things to do in Fukuoka Japan!

Fukuoka is a hidden gem in Japan that stole our hearts with its vibrant culture and thrilling activities, making it one of our top destinations to explore! So without further ado let's jump right in and discover the top 8 things to do in Fukuoka Japan!

#1 Ichiran Headquarters

Have you ever heard of a place that sells delicious ramen 24 hours, 7 days a week? Well the franchise of Ichiran is just that! They have 80 outlets across Japan and one of them being the headquarters itself located in Fukuoka.

The whole experience works by first ordering a dish from a ticket machine (inserting cash first). You then grab your ticket and find a vacant booth to sit at. You give your ticket to the staff to collect and in exchange they give you an order sheet to customise your ramen. You then hand it back to the staff and bada bing bada boom they serve you your delicious bowl of noodely goodness. When we visited at 2am after a big night out drinking, this Japanese version of fast food definitely hit the spot!

#2 teamLabs Forest Fukuoka

If you've checked out our other Japan blogs, you'll know how much we adore the Team Lab Attractions, and the one in Fukuoka is no different! This particular attraction is extra interactive and takes inspiration from the beauty of a forest. To join in on the fun, simply download the teamLab app and start capturing digitally displayed animals on the walls. Once you've had your fill of that, there are even more exciting attractions to explore, like a bouncy ball room, a mesmerizing mirror tunnel, and a few other surprises! To book your tickets we would highly recommend Klook for its convenience and affordability!

#3 Eat at the Happy Pancake

You may have come across those irresistibly fluffy pancakes that are all the rage on TikTok. Nestled in the Tenjin area, just up a flight of stairs, lies a heavenly pancake paradise called 'Happy Pancake'. With a plethora of delicious choices to ponder, we ultimately settled on the Tiramisu and Milk Tea sauce pancakes - both were absolutely divine! Whichever one you decide on, rest assured you won't be let down!

#4 See the reclining buddha at Nanzion Temple

Make sure you visit Nanzion Temple located in Sasaguri, which is just a quick 30 minute train ride from Hakata station. It is most notable for its bronze statue of a reclining buddha which is one of the largest bronze statues in the world. You can also explore the temple's other shrines and enjoy a peaceful walk through the surrounding wilderness. It's a perfect day trip destination that is definitely worth checking out!

#5 Eat at the Kirby Café

Located in Canal City is a café where you can immerse yourself in the world of the lovable video game character, Kirby! From the cute décor to the tasty treats, you'll feel like you've stepped right into Kirby's colourful world. Due to its popularity, it is very important that you book in advance if you would like to enjoy this enchanting dining experience. Click here to reserve your spot!

#6 Rent a Swan boat at Ohori Park

Bree and I stumbled upon this delightful activity while spending a day at Ohori Park. While sitting down and enjoying the fresh air we noticed many locals leisurely paddling through the lake on a swan boat. So we decided to rent one and it was a truly honestly quite a relaxing activity and we would recommend it if you're after something chill to do!

If you'd like to do the same, all you need to do is head over the shop on the lake called 'Boathouse Ohori Park'. Here you can either rent a 2 or 4 person swan boat for 30 minutes at a price of 1,200yen or 1,600yen respectively. You can also just rent a simple row boat for 30 minutes at a price of 800yen if that's more your style.

#7 Eat at a Yatai (Food Stall)

Fukuoka is famous for its charming open-air food stalls known as Yatai. As we researched and talked to others about things to do in Fukuoka, it became obvious that dining at one of these stalls was a must-try experience. While we were a bit nervous at first to approach a stall and sit among the locals while trying to decipher a Japanese menu, we eventually mustered up the courage to give it a try.

We first ate at a French stall called ‘Yatai Chez Rémy’. which was simply divine and then we enjoyed some delicious cocktails at a cosy cocktail bar called 'Yatai Bar Ebi-chan' until closing time. The locals we met were incredibly friendly and we had such a wonderful time, confirming that this is a must-do activity when visiting Fukuoka

#8 Eat at the Ramen Stadium

The Ramen stadium at Canal City is a bustling food court packed with a variety of ramen shops, each offering their own unique twist on the classic dish. During our visit, we ate at 'Gansotomato Ramen Sanmi' and were blown away by their innovative tomato broth and hearty noodles, topped with spinach and cheese. Personally, I think it's the best ramen I've ever had so if you decide to try it for yourself then I am confident in saying that you won't be disappointed!

Summary

We are thrilled that our blog has brought the beauty of this incredible city to your attention and we hope it has sparked some inspiration for you to visit or provided you with some helpful suggestions on things to do! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment or reach out to us directly.

See you next time!

Bree & Aiden