Finding Folk Art, Street Food & Festivals in Fukuoka, Japan

In the south of Japan sits Kyūshū, the third largest of the country’s islands. Its biggest city? Fukuoka (福岡).

Fukuoka is very familiar to us, not only as the site of our newest semester study abroad program (with our partners at Seinan Gakuin University), but because our resident Japan expert, Director of Program Operations Sarah Reid studied abroad there herself as an undergrad.

If you’ve been following our blog posts, you’ll know that Sarah has been exploring different areas of Japan that we think would interest you as a custom program leader and be worthwhile destinations on your students’ itinerary.

Fukuoka, of course, is one of them.

In this vibrant, yet notably relaxed port city, you’ll find a blend of modernity and tradition, skyscrapers and nature. Though it’s the sixth largest and fastest growing city in Japan, you can walk through serene parks and gardens, enjoy both the sea and the mountains, and take part in traditional Japanese arts like tea ceremonies and ikebana (flower arranging). Importantly, Fukuoka is known for its safety, cleanliness, and friendliness.

“Fukuoka city was as lively as ever,” Sarah noted after her recent visit, “but it’s still untouched by the large crowds of tourists you see in places like Kyoto and Tokyo.”

Spending time in Fukuoka: A cultural & economic hub

One of the most popular places to visit in Fukuoka is the ancient shrine of Dazaifu Tenmangu, built over the grave of scholar Michizane Sugawara or Tenjin—the deity of learning, culture, and the arts. On the grounds of the shrine, more than 6,000 plum trees make for a spectacular site, especially when they bloom every March.

Another unforgettable Fukuoka experience is feeling dwarfed by the enormous (134 ft long, 36ft high) Reclining Nehanzō Buddha at Nanzōin Temple. Touch the souls of its feet if you believe in luck!

Ōhori Park, on the grounds of Fukuoka Castle, is a beautiful place for a walk, and a favorite hangout spot for locals. In the center, there’s a pond with several bridges, which was part of the original castle moat system.

Known for its traditional crafts, Hakata Old Town is a wonderful place to learn more about the history and customs of Fukuoka. You’ll find here the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum where you can paint Hakata dolls, charms, and spinning tops or learn to weave with an artisan. In Kadota Chochin Lantern Shop, which opened well over a century ago in 1895, you can join in on a paper lantern-painting experience.

For souvenirs, take a slow stroll along Hakata Kawabata-dōri, the city’s oldest shopping street with more than 130 local shops. Lonely Planet describes the atmosphere as having a “post-WWII Shōwa-era vibe not short on nostalgia.” Near the shopping arcade entrance, the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum is well worth a visit too.

Once you’ve had your fill of traditional culture, Sarah recommends a trip to the five-floor Canal City shopping center (with an actual canal running through it) for something a little different. “My favorite place downtown is a shopping megaplex called Canal City,” she said. “Every kind of geeky store imaginable is there and there are free live performances on the first level that change all the time.”  

If you’re looking for a view, a ride up to the top of the 768-foot Fukuoka Tower won’t disappoint, especially at night! It’s in the Seaside Momochi area which is also home to the Fukuoka City Museum (with a permanent exhibition on the history of Fukuoka and lots of information in English) and the baseball field inside the Yahuoku Dome. Of course, while you’re here, you’ll want to spend some time enjoying the beach too!

Famous Fukuoka festivals

Visiting in May during Japan’s Golden Week? Your students will love the Hakata Dontaku Festival which has approximately 2-3 million attendees each year and has been running for about eight centuries. You’ll see dancers in colorful costumes, “flower buses,” and stage performances among other festivities.

In July, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa—designated as a national intangible folk heritage—is also quite a spectacle. People race huge decorative floats through the streets, and there are others, up to 32 feet high positioned throughout the city.

Food: The City of Yatai

Fukuoka lives up to its nickname, “The City of Yatai,” or “City of Street Food Stalls.” These are typically open-air food stands where seven or eight people can sit and enjoy a cheap and delicious meal.

Some of the most typical yatai choices? Yakitori (grilled chicken on skewers), ramen noodles (especially Hakata ramen or tonkotsu ramen, a local dish with thin noodles in a pork bone broth), or sushi and sashimi (try the goma saba – mackerel for a local specialty).

Other foods to taste while you’re in Fukuoka? Mentaiko (spicy pollock roe), udon noodles, montsunabe (cow and pig offal mixed with veggies, hot-pot style), and gyoza dumplings.

Getting Around Fukuoka

Fukuoka is easy to navigate. Public transportation is quick and convenient, with subways and buses working throughout a well-planned and pretty compact city. There’s also a bullet train station and ferries that are useful when you want to get in and out of the city.

EdOdyssey: Custom Programs in Japan

We’re thrilled to have Japan as one of our newest study abroad destinations. If you’re interested in learning more about Japan and its rich history and culture, reach out to work with us to create a custom program for your students.  

Fukuoka is just one of the places you could stop; our custom programs can include popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Himeji, Hiroshima, and Nara, but can also be tailored to your leader’s area of expertise or interest and take you to places like Okinawa, Fukuoka, and all the way up to Akita and Sapporo. Alongside custom faculty-led programs, we also offer First Year Experiences through our academic partner Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka.

EdOdyssey: Semester Programs in Japan

If you have students interested in a semester or full year abroad program, our partner institution, Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka offers a set of courses in English specifically for international students (and Japanese students with high enough language proficiency). These classes are taken alongside a Japanese language course.

“It’s a lovely campus in an upscale neighborhood and only a 10-minute walk from the beach,” Sarah said. “It's just a quick subway ride away from downtown to explore a city rich with old and new cultural activities. The fresh air from the sea brought back memories of my own study abroad experience in Fukuoka. You couldn't ask for a better study abroad location in Japan.”