Fukuoka
Largest City In Kyushu; Home Of Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen And Yatai Food Stalls · Fukuoka, Fukuoka
The largest city on Kyushu and one of the fastest growing in Japan, a relaxed port with its airport only minutes from the centre, and the gateway to Kyushu and, by ferry, to South Korea. Fukuoka is best known for food. Its yatai, open-air food stalls with a few stools and a curtain, set up along the river in Nakasu and in Tenjin each evening, serving ramen, grilled skewers and oden, and are one of the most famous street food experiences in Japan. Hakata is the home of tonkotsu ramen, the rich pork-bone broth now found worldwide, and of mentaiko, spicy cod roe, and motsunabe hotpot. Sights include Ohori Park, the ruins of Fukuoka Castle, Kushida shrine, the Canal City shopping complex, and the seaside Fukuoka Tower. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in July, when teams race huge floats through the streets at dawn, is one of Japan's great festivals. Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, dedicated to the god of learning, is half an hour away, and the city is the base for the rest of Kyushu's hot springs and volcanoes.
Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 810-0801, Japan
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: yatai open around 6 pm and close around midnight to 2 am, and do not open in rain, strong wind or on their own rest days. Shrines are open from early morning to evening. Fukuoka Tower opens mid-morning and stays open until about 10 pm. The subway runs from about 5:30 am to just after midnight. Many museums close on Mondays. Confirm times before planning.