Perfect Day Trip to Fukuoka (Tips + Hour Breakdown)

There’s lots of things to do in Fukuoka that make it perfect for a day trip.

Whether you’re visiting Fukuoka as a layover, cruise stop, or have limited time to travel, make the best of your day trip to Fukuoka by planning ahead.

One day or a long layover in Fukuoka would allow you to see the most popular sites like Ohori Park, Canal City Mall, and downtown Tenjin.

Here’s the perfect itinerary for a day trip to Fukuoka, including best ways to get around for a short trip.

Table of Contents

My First Impressions of Fukuoka

Fukuoka Itinerary Highlights: A collage showcasing three distinct scenes in Fukuoka, Japan. The first scene features a serene lakeside view with a pavilion under a clear blue sky. The second scene shows a historic building with "FUKUOKA" sign in the foreground. The third scene captures a coastal path along a rocky shoreline leading to a sandy beach. Each scene highlights different attractions in Fukuoka, from nature to architecture.

Fukuoka is clean and has a lot of green spaces. Most of the main tourists places are nature spots, parks, and sites with water views. Plus, it has a lively downtown.
It’s easy to get around Fukuoka City using public transit or walking.
While Fukuoka is one of the biggest cities in Japan, it’s more relaxed than other big cities.

Book before your Fukuoka trip:

▢ Fukuoka Tourist City Pass for unlimited rides on public transit

▢ Hire a Fukuoka private driver for a day

▢ Browse through the most popular Fukuoka day tours

How Many Hours Do You Need in Fukuoka?

Tochoji Temple, Fukuoka, Japan: The five-story pagoda of Tochoji Temple, with traditional red and white architecture, surrounded by dense green trees and a modern building in the background.

A minimum of five hours in Fukuoka is sufficient to see the main attractions in Fukuoka.

If you stay longer, you’ll be able to go to sites a little outside of central Fukuoka and even take easy day trips from Fukuoka.

To maximize and save time, join a Fukuoka tour:

Getting Around Fukuoka

Naka River, Fukuoka, Japan: A peaceful river scene with an arched bridge spanning the Naka River, framed by urban apartment buildings on a cloudy day.

Fukuoka has an efficient subway system and plenty of bus lines. You can also take short taxi rides.

One-Day Pass: For one day using only public transit, it’s better to buy a one-day Fukuoka Tourist Pass, which gives you unlimited rides on buses and trains. I regret not doing this.
Train: Fukuoka has subways connecting major attractions and neighborhoods, though you’ll still likely be walking 10-15 minutes to get to some sites.
Bus: To limit walking distances, take the Fukuoka city bus, which accepts the Suica card.

If you’re traveling with a group, I recommend hiring a driver or joining a tour to save time.

Fukuoka Day Trip Tours to Join

If you have a little more time during your day trip to Fukuoka, joining a day tour allows you to see popular sites just outside of the main Fukuoka city.

Tour #1: Itoshima Day Tour – Shiraito Falls, Caves, Sakurai Futamigaura (8:20am-4:30pm)

Torii gates Sakurai Futamigaura Itoshima Japan: "White torii gate on the beach at Sakurai Futamigaura, Itoshima, Japan, framing the Couple Stones connected by a Shinto rope in the background, with ocean waves and rocky shore in the foreground."

Tour #2: Dazaifu Shrine, Yufuin (Ghibli town) and Beppu (8am-6:30pm)

Beppu Onsen day trip from Fukuoka Japan.png: A serene outdoor hot spring in Beppu, Japan, surrounded by lush green trees and rocks. Steam rises from the water, creating a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere.

Tour #3: Kumamoto Castle + Mt. Aso Volcano, Kusasenri, and Kurokawa Onsen (8am-6pm)

Kumamoto Castle day trip from Fukuoka Japan.png: Kumamoto Castle in Japan, a traditional Japanese castle surrounded by trees and a moat, with a view of the city and mountains in the background.

Full Fukuoka Day Trip Itinerary

Here’s a full itinerary on what to do for a day trip to Fukuoka.

You can also mix and match from my 27 Fun Things to Do in Fukuoka post.

Mid-Morning (2-3 hours)

1. Ohori Park: This is the most popular park in Fukuoka and one of the top things to do for a short day trip to Fukuoka. It has a large central lake, bridge, and multiple walking paths.

Ohori Park, Fukuoka, Japan: A scenic view of Ohori Park with a tranquil lake, lush greenery, and a traditional Japanese pavilion on the water under a clear blue sky.

You can also rent row boats or ride a swan boat. I’ve visited on both rainy and sunny days, and it was still very beautiful and scenic.

Right next door is also Ohori Park Japanese Garden and Fukuoka Art Museum.

2. Fukuoka Castle Ruins: Located inside Maizuru Park and right next to Ohori Park is Fukuoka Castle Ruins, which has remnants of stone walls and guard towers from the Edo period in the 17th century.

Flowers near Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Fukuoka, Japan: A vibrant garden with pink and purple azaleas in full bloom, surrounded by green trees and historical stone walls.

The park has lots of benches and areas to explore and is surrounded by greenery.

Benches at Maizuru Park, Fukuoka, Japan: Wooden benches along a tree-lined path in Maizuru Park, surrounded by lush greenery and bathed in soft, early morning sunlight.

Lunch

3. Tenjin Area: Tenjin is Fukuoka’s downtown and the busiest area in Fukuoka. There are numerous businesses, shopping, and dining options. Walk around and grab a bite to eat here.

Yatai Food stalls at Tenjin Central Park, Fukuoka, Japan: People gathering under umbrellas at vibrant yatai food stalls, with a sign advertising "Vegetable Spice Curry" amidst a rainy backdrop.

Places to explore in the Tenjin Area:

Tenjin Station (massive underground mall)

Tenjin Central Park

Kihinkan Hall

Fukuoka Red Brick Culture Museum

Afternoon to Evening (2-3 hours)

5. Canal City Hakata: Canal City Mall is the most popular shopping area in Fukuoka. It’s a multi-level shopping complex and has a canal running through it with water fountain and light shows.

Canal City Hakata Mall Fountain Show (aerial view), Fukuoka, Japan: An aerial view of the Canal City Hakata Mall's multi-level structure, with lush green terraces and a fountain show in progress below, surrounded by spectators. Perfect stop for day trip to Fukuoka

Sometimes there’s performances too where you can watch from any level. You can grab dinner here.

Canal City Hakata Mall Fountain Show, Fukuoka, Japan: A choreographed fountain show at Canal City Hakata Mall, with jets of water dancing in synchronization and people watching from the side. In top things to do in Fukuoka

6. Naka River: If you have time, enjoy a scenic walk along Naka River flowing through Fukuoka, or even take a Naka river cruise.

I loved passing by Naka River every day, especially at night.

You can also grab a soy milk latte at TOFFEE park, located right on the river.

Hakata Port Tower at night in Naka River, Fukuoka, Japan: The illuminated Hakata Port Tower glowing in pink and purple hues, reflected in the Naka River with city buildings in the background at dusk.

If You’re in Fukuoka for a Concert

PayPay Dome concert venue, Fukuoka, Japan: The modern architectural design of PayPay Dome, a large concert venue with a distinct dome-shaped roof, located along a tree-lined street.

If you’re in Fukuoka for an event at PayPay Dome, here’s additional things to do located near the PayPay Dome, which is located in more northwestern Fukuoka and close to teamLab Forest Fukuoka.

1. Fukuoka Tower: This is Japan’s tallest seaside tower and where you can catch panoramic views of Fukuoka from the viewing decks. It closes at 10pm and costs 800 yen ($5.00 USD). Buy tickets online.

Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka, Japan: The modern, glass-clad Fukuoka Tower standing tall against a foggy sky, with surrounding buildings and a few people walking nearby.

2. Momochihama Seaside Park: Located right next to Fukuoka Tower is Momochihama, a large urban beach area with lots of pier eateries as well as the Marizon building and wharf.

Momochihama Beach, Fukuoka, Japan: A sandy beach with a boardwalk and an ice cream cone decoration, leading to a Mediterranean-style building complex along the shore.

If You Have More Time in Fukuoka

If you have more time in Fukuoka, here are the closest day trips from Fukuoka that would take half a day or less.

1. Dazaifu Tenmangu

Travel time: 30-40 minutes by public transit each way

Torii Gates at Dazaifu Tenmangu: People walking under large, weathered Torii gates at Dazaifu Tenmangu, Fukuoka, on a rainy day. The scene includes lush green trees in the background and visitors holding umbrellas.

Dazaifu Tenmangu is a shrine dedicated to Tenjin, the god of learning and is a popular day trip from Fukuoka by locals, especially for students to pray for academic success. The area has scenic ponds, statues for luck, and forest areas to wander.

2. Nanzoin (Reclining Buddha)

Travel time: 30 minutes by public transit each way

Reclining Buddha in Fukuoka: A person stands in front of the massive Reclining Buddha statue at Nanzoin Temple, surrounded by lush green trees and a calm atmosphere.

Nanzoin Temple is famous for housing one of the world’s largest bronze statue of a reclining Buddha. It is massive in person! This was one of my favorite day trips from Fukuoka.

Is Fukuoka Worth a Day Trip?

Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Fukuoka, Japan: A bustling indoor shopping arcade with a high arched ceiling, filled with shops, hanging lanterns, and people walking through.

Fukuoka is a nice stop in Japan for a day trip. It’s a mix of a big city with lots of nature sites and water views to explore.

If you want to make the most of your day trip to Fukuoka, I recommend joining a Fukuoka tour that also provides transportation or hiring a driver for the day to take you around.