8 of the top things to do in laid-back Fukuoka, Japan

04.01.2024 - 10:58 / lonelyplanet.com

Unlike the sensory overload of Japan’s larger cities, Fukuoka has managed a different, lower-key kind of allure.

Dialing down the overwhelm and spaghetti-like metro maps, this Kyūshū gem puts its renowned easygoing character on full blast. Fukuoka surprises and delights from the get-go with its dreamy six-minute subway commute from the airport direct to downtown, where modern conveniences abound – without the intense crowds.

With its flat and easily walkable streets, mix of immersive attractions and unique dining culture that effectively ties the entire city together through one collective dinner table, this city gives you plenty to write home about. Here are some of the best things to do in Fukuoka.

Nowhere can you experience Fukuoka’s incredible food culture more than when sitting down at a yatai. These street food stalls aren't just a place to eat: they are a way of life, a chance to mingle after the sun goes down, and an opportunity for social intimacy and connection that can be hard to find in big cities. 

Fukuoka is home to around 100 independently run yatai. Mostly centered in the Nakasu, Tenjin and Nagahama areas, they accommodate an average of eight to 10 people at a time. The most popular stretch of yatai for visitors is at the Yatai-mura night market along the Nakasu River (keep in mind, though, that you’ll mostly be in the company of other out-of-towners). 

To brush shoulders with a local crowd, venture away from the riverfront and to one of the many more solitary set-ups that dot the map around town. Huddled up on small stools around the warmth of the grill, with friendly banter punctuating the air and intermittent heightened sizzling as another dish hits the hot plate, you never know what lottery of characters you’ll meet. 

Many yatai have a no-mobiles policy to encourage interaction. So put your phone away and fully savor the food and the company.

Local tip: If you’re no longer eating or drinking, the etiquette is to pay up and leave given the small number of seats. Try to limit your stay to around an hour and avoid visiting in large groups. If you don’t know what to order and dietary requirements allow, you can leave it up to the chef’s recommendation by saying “osusume onegaishimasu.”

Hakata Kawabata-dōri is a lively shopping arcade of more than 100 local stores, from clothing and local wares to fresh produce and restaurants. Stretching 400m (1313ft) and with more than 130 years of history, Fukuoka’s oldest shopping street maintains a post-WWII Shōwa-era vibe not short on nostalgia.

For a sweet treat, be sure to try the arcade’s specialty red bean soup with grilled mochi cakes at Kawabata Zenzai Hiroba (open weekends and public holidays only) and gaze at the Yamakasa festival float inside.

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