The Instagram spot: Kushida Shrine

Held in the summer, the thrilling Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival is one of the best things to do in Fukuoka – but you can still get a feel for it year-round at the 1,260-year-old Kushida Shrine. Take your picture in front of the shrine’s kazariyama, a 13-metre-high float decorated with fantastical scenes of historical and mythical events.

The neighbourhood: Daimyo

Fukuoka’s Daimyo neighbourhood has it all: high-end shops and fast-fashion chains to independent, vintage hip-hop fashion retailers, as well as some of the best bars and restaurants including Kamakiri Udon and Mujinzo. For fans of Japanese anime and manga, Mandarake, a second-hand anime goods shop, is a must.

The hike: Mount Kuju

A volcanic wonderland filled with luscious greenery and steaming gas vents, Oita prefecture’s Mount Kuju is the highest peak on the island of Kyushu. While the climb itself takes a few hours, the real challenge is getting there, as train and bus connections to the hiking trails are limited. Your efforts will be rewarded as the slopes of the 1,791-metre-high peak are ablaze in reds and pinks in June when the wild azaleas bloom, but offer gorgeous panoramas year-round.

The castle: Kumamoto

The original fortifications of Kumamoto Castle date back to the 15th century. It was the scene of a pivotal siege led by Saigo Takamori in the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, during which the tenshukaku (castle keep) burnt down. Although Kumamoto Castle was damaged in the 2016 earthquake, visitors can still view the castle from limited areas, such as Kato Shrine. Restoring Kumamoto Castle is expected to be a long-term project, but the first sections were unveiled to the public in 2019 and the city has pledged funds to continue the restoration.

Fukuoka essentials

Central Fukuoka (Hakata) is a 16-minute bus ride from the airport’s international terminal or a six-minute subway ride from the domestic terminal. A free shuttle service connects both terminals.
The Fukuoka Tourist City Pass is a convenient one-day ticket giving unlimited rides on buses, trains and the subway. The more expensive pass gives you access to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
For further tips on what’s happening in the city, visit fukuoka-now.com, run by Fukuoka native Emiko and her Canadian husband Nick.
Tsuyu, or the rainy season, usually begins in early to mid-June, bringing with it unpredictable weather. If travelling at this time, you’ll want to pack a compact umbrella – or buy a cheap one at any convenience store.

Hero image: The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images

This story was originally posted in December 2017 and updated in September 2020