Tonkotsu ramen, food stalls & friendly vibe
Fukuoka
福岡 · Ramen, beaches & gateway to Kyushu
Kyushu's biggest city is a relaxed, food-obsessed port with a beach in the city and the friendliest street-food culture in Japan. Its riverside yatai stalls and rich tonkotsu ramen draw eaters from all over the country.
Top sightsSights
Yatai food stalls
Open-air riverside stalls serving ramen, yakitori and oden under the stars — a Fukuoka institution.
Ohori Park
A serene park built around a large pond, with a traditional Japanese garden alongside.
Canal City
A vast canal-threaded shopping and entertainment complex with fountain shows.
Kushida Shrine
The city’s guardian shrine and home to the giant floats of the summer Yamakasa festival.
Nanzoin Temple
Home to one of the world’s largest reclining bronze Buddha statues, just outside the city.
What to eatFood
Tonkotsu ramen
Hakata’s world-famous rich, creamy pork-bone ramen with thin straight noodles.
Motsunabe
A hearty hotpot of beef offal, cabbage and garlic chives in savory broth.
Mentaiko
Spicy marinated pollock roe, a Fukuoka specialty eaten with rice or pasta.
Good to know
- The yatai stalls open in the evening around Nakasu island and Tenjin — go hungry.
- Fukuoka is Kyushu’s transport hub, ideal for onward trips to Nagasaki and the hot springs.
- The airport is remarkably close — just two subway stops from the downtown core.
Getting there
Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is minutes from downtown by subway; the Kyushu Shinkansen links to Hiroshima and Osaka.
Next city
Hiroshima