Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is a popular tourist destination in Fukuoka. The approach from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station to the grounds of the shrine is lined with souvenir shops and cafes. Don’t miss the building housing the Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando shop, beautifully designed by architect Kengo Kuma.

Umegae Mochi is an ideal snack to enjoy as you walk along the shrine approach. A famous confection of Dazaifu, it consists of Mochi rice cake wrapped around Anko sweet bean paste, and then marked with a brand of a plum flower. There are many shops selling Umegae Mochi along the approach to the shrine, so be sure to enjoy some freshly grilled.

Before visiting the shrine proper, make sure to sate your hunger. There are no shortage of restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. Enjoy a lunch typical of the Dazaifu area, such as the gentle taste of Soba or Udon noodles, Sushi, or various lunch set meals.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is one of the largest shrines in Kyushu. Here is enshrined Sugawara-no-Michizane, known as the god of learning, and worshippers come from throughout Japan and the world to pray here. The spacious grounds of the shrine are filled with over 6,000 plum trees and irises, including the sacred Tobi-ume plum tree, which together offer changing scenery throughout the seasons.

Head towards the Kyushu National Museum from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine via the Rainbow Tunnel. The moving walkway beyond the escalator is illuminated in bright colors, and you will lose your sense of time as the lights in seven different colors mystify you. You’ll arrive at your destination before you know it.

This massively impressive building with its exterior of curving lines is the fourth national museum in Japan after the museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara.  It offers a permanent exhibit on the history of exchange between the region and the rest of Asia, as well as special exhibits, that are all worth seeing. The Ajippa exhibit also offers children a hands-on experience interacting with the cultures of numerous different countries.

This is where the citizens of Fukuoka come to relax when in the center of Fukuoka city. The park is one of the leading “water parks” in Japan, with over half of its area occupied by a lake, which has earned it a designation as a national scenic spot. Here you can come to enjoy a moment of relaxation, whether strolling through the park, observing the wild birds on the lake from one of the benches, or taking in the beautiful scenery.

Motsu Nabe is perhaps the leading dish in Fukuoka cuisine. The dish features a soy-sauce based soup flavored with garlic, to which beef intestines and other giblets are mixed with a rich assortment of vegetables such as chives and cabbage. Enjoy this traditional Fukuoka dish, rich in Umami flavor and nutrition, especially the closer when Chanpon noodles are added to the remaining soup.

When night arrives in Fukuoka, the Yatai food stalls seem to come out of nowhere. These food stalls offer a wide variety of foods to try, from the classics such as Tonkotsu ramen, Yakitori, Gyoza dumplings, and Oden, to original, creative cuisine. You can’t make a trip to Fukuoka without experiencing the lively nightlife and gourmet cuisine of the Fukuoka Yatai!

The Mojiko Port area is rich in a nostalgic atmosphere dating from the Taisho period in the early 20th century. Let’s begin the second day of our trip at Mojiko Station, perhaps the symbol of this area. The neo-renaissance station building, constructed in 1914, is rich in nostalgia and designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

This building was constructed as a social club in 1921 by MItsui & Co., a general trading company that still exists today, and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The traditional European wooden construction offers a sense of historic beauty. Here you can see the room where Albert Einstein stayed with his wife, restored to its original state.

This building was constructed as the Moji branch of Osaka Shosen, a former Japanese shipping company, in 1917, and features a two-story western wooden construction. The octagonal wing and orange tiles are sure to grab your attention. The interior once bustled with numerous travelers as the waiting room for continental shipping routes.

After your walk around Mojiko Retro, the only choice for lunch is the local Baked Curry original to the Mojiko Port area. This hot dish of curry is covered with delicious cheese and baked until it’s runny. Grab a copy of the Baked Curry (Yaki Curry) map at any one of the attractions and find the restaurant that suits your needs.

Built in 1912, this red-brick western style building was used as a customs office building until the early Showa period. The classic interior features a cafe and exhibit space on the first floor and a gallery and observation room on the second. The atrium entrance hall is also quite appealing.

The observation room, located 103 meters above ground, offers a view not only of the Mojiko Retro area but all the way to the Kanmon Straits. Enjoy your break here while taking in the amazing view. You can also grab a seat at Air’s Café on the premises to enjoy the view along with drinks and desserts.

JR Hakata City, directly connected to JR Hakata Station, is a major commercial facility that features a variety of shops and restaurants. Meanwhile, the Miyagemon Ichiba souvenir shop on the first floor features a wide variety of specialty goods and confections from Fukuoka that is sure to excite your shopping spirit and satisfy your search for souvenirs at the end of your trip.

Surely, the best way to end your visit to Fukuoka is to dine on Tonkotsu ramen! In that case, Hakata Menkaido is just the place to find the popular shop that sparks your interest, whether you want a long-established restaurant or one that’s all the buzz at the moment. Whichever you choose, you will be able to enjoy your ramen to the fullest, with the Tonkotsu pork bone soup, thin ramen noodles, and your choice of Japanese red mustard, red ginger, or sesame to mix up the flavor. You can even order a double portion of ramen noodles.