In a city of ravenous for art, in Tokyo lines for exhibitions are as long as those for the latest pop idol's concerts.
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.
Plan
In a city of ravenous for art, in Tokyo lines for exhibitions are as long as those for the latest pop idol's concerts.
The U.S. may be in the middle of a bitter cold spell, but Japan is looking straight ahead to spring with their predictions of when its famed cherry blossoms are returning.
While most visitors make their way to Kyoto to take in the rich history of the ancient capital of Japan, nature lovers come for the hiking trails – both well-trodden and off-the-beaten-path – that snake across Kyoto Prefecture.
Mitsuko Tottori started her career at Japan Airlines in 1985 welcoming passengers aboard. Now she’s being welcomed as the incoming president of JAL.
Asian travel marketplace Klook has confirmed its first strategic partnership for 2024 – a deal with Krungsri, the Bank of Ayudhya PCL in Thailand.
Blueground, the New York-based operator of furnished, flexible rentals for stays lasting 30 days or more, entered its first franchise agreement with real estate and hospitality company Mitsubishi Estate to introduce Blueground in Japan.
Four European countries now have the world’s most powerful passports.
The preflight safety video that thoroughly explained how to evacuate the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 that collided with another plane may be part of the reason all 379 people on board the jetliner survived a firey crash.
Fans of winter weather can celebrate the season by attending a winter festival or carnival. Certain destinations across North America and other parts of the world present these ice and snow-related events to bring attendees outdoors and take in public art installations, celebratory activities or games of skill. Some even brighten up the night or day with illuminated fixtures. Pull out your winter boots and heavy coats and plan a trip to these annual winter festivals.
Japan Airlines expects minimal financial fallout from the the crash of one of its Airbus A350 jetliners at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday. Insurance will cover the cost of the plane while the temporary closure of Haneda’s longest runway is forecast to take a small bite out of the airline’s profits.
In a tragic accident on Tuesday, a Japan Airlines plane and Japanese coast guard aircraft collided on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The crash killed five coast guard crew members who were on their way to deliver aid to victims of a deadly earthquake that hit Western Japan on Monday.
AirlineRatings.com Names Air New Zealand As Its Safest Airline For 2024