Fukuoka (prefecture)
Discover Fukuoka (prefecture)
Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県 Fukuoka-ken) is the most populous prefecture of Kyushu, Japan with a population of over 5 million. Fukuoka has a very old history and has had close contact with Japan's Asian neighbors, including the site of two Mongolian invasions in the late 13th century that were unsuccessful (due to typhoons, hence the term kamikaze). Its port has been used extensively in Japan's early history and is the entry point for the spread of Buddhism.
What to Experience in Fukuoka (prefecture)
Taste of Fukuoka (prefecture)...
The local speciality is a version of ramen made from boiled pork bones, known as tonkotsu ramen. It is widely available from a number of street stalls called yatai on the streets of Fukuoka City and Kurume, as well as at the Ramen Stadium in the Canal City entertainment complex. Also famous is the spicy salmon cod roe called mentaiko, though nowadays all is actually imported. Fukuoka City hosts the largest entertainment district in Western Japan (i.e., west of Osaka). Situated on the islet of Nakasu between two rivers, with downtown Tenjin on the one side and the transport hub Hakata on the other, there are literally thousands of restaurants, clubs, hostess bars and other adult venues to whet the appetite of the fearless traveller. Be warned though, you are best going with a Japanese native, if only to be able to discover the reasonably priced outlets among a sea of bunny girls and drunk salarymen.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFukuoka city's airport (FUK) is the busiest on Kyushu and fields a fair number of international flights too, e.g. to South Korea, China and Taiwan. It also has connections in Japan to fifteen other major Japanese cities. Kitakyushu Airport (KKJ) also has international flight. Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City are both on the shinkansen line that runs to and from Tokyo. The JR train system has several lines running across the prefecture, as well as from the Meinohama subway station in Fukuoka City to Karatsu in Saga. Nishitetsu is a company which provides daily service all over the prefecture as well as up to and down from Tokyo. Willer also offers long distance bus service to major cities in Japan. Fukuoka offers the Camellia Line Ferry and Beetle hydrofoil service to Busan, South Korea. Trains and buses travel to nearly all cities and towns, with the exception of a few isolated mountain areas. Taxis are abundant also but can be expensive, even by Japanese standards....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Trains and buses travel to nearly all cities and towns, with the exception of a few isolated mountain areas. Taxis are abundant also but can be expensive, even by Japanese standards. Fukuoka City also has its own subway, and Kitakyushu has its own rail and monorail system. As in many other Japanese cities, JR runs the largest system, but another private rail company, Nishitetsu, also runs a heavily used rail line between Tenjin Station in Fukuoka City to Omuta, with local, express, and limited express trains. There is no difference in fare based on the faster trains, and the limited express trains travel between Fukuoka City and Omuta in about 1 hour. Fukuoka offers a lot of the city life in Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu but still offers a lot of nature hiking, natural gardens, traditional crafts, and some of the oldest temples, shrines, and festivals in Japan. Even better is that the best places are not overrun by tourists and it is still possible to enjoy a leisurely adventure.
Language & Talk
It's possible for English speakers to navigate their way around without speaking any Japanese. Signs at subway and train stations include the station names in romaji (Romanized characters). Though many studied English in school, proficiency is generally poor, and most locals would not know more than a few basic words and phrases. Some restaurants may have English menus, but it does not necessarily mean that the staff will speak much English. Reading and writing comes much better though, and many people can understand a great deal of written English without actually knowing how to speak it. That being said, staff at the main hotels and tourist attractions generally speak an acceptable level of English.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Fukuoka (prefecture)
Fukuoka Japan
Japanese couple in Fukuoka on the top of Hakata Station.
People walking on street with houses and trees
Fukuoka Japan
Japanese couple in Fukuoka on the top of Hakata Station.
People walking on street with houses and trees
Fukuoka Japan
Japanese couple in Fukuoka on the top of Hakata Station.
People walking on street with houses and trees
Fukuoka Japan
Japanese couple in Fukuoka on the top of Hakata Station.
People walking on street with houses and trees
Fukuoka Japan