About Fukuoka

The largest city on the western island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is a former castle town whose proximity to mainland Asia has made it another of Japan’s most internationally-minded cities. Merged with the historic merchant town of Hakata to form present-day Fukuoka City, here you’ll encounter a mix of striking contemporary architecture (the futuristic, 234m-high Fukuoka Tower; Hakata’s luxury-focused Canal City complex), ancient sites including Japan’s oldest Zen temple Shofukuji, and parks rich in natural beauty. The main nightlife districts are Tenjin and, to the east, Nakasu which boasts around 3,000 bars and restaurants. Noodle-lovers should note that Fukuoka is the birthplace of both soba and udon.