4 Day Family-Friendly Travel Guide to Fukuoka
Approximate reading time: 10 minutes
Fukuoka Japan
Table of contents
Introduction
Disclaimers
4 Day Travel Itinerary
Day 0: Touchdown and Take It Easy
(Arrival + Transport Passes + First Dinner + Optional Night Walk)
Day 1: Welcome to Fukuoka
(Shrine Visit + Parks + Castle Ruins + Ramen Night)
Day 2: Choose Your Own Adventure
(Dazaifu + Plum Streets + Museum + Amusement Park Option)
Day 3: Fairytale Escapes and Local Flavors
(Yufuin Floral Village + Lake Kinrin + Riverfront Yatai Dining)
Day 4: Would You Rather Go Shopping or Catch Your Train?
(Drugstores + Donki + Book-Off + Transit Tips)
Hotel Recommendations
Quick Tips
Ready for your next adventure?
Ending notes
Looking for the best travel hacks?
Introduction
While it may not come top of mind when planning a trip to Japan, the southern coastal city of Fukuoka has been slowly growing as a tourist destination. The city delivers the perfect blend of culture, nature, and delicious food, with a relaxed charm that makes it especially welcoming for families.
With two previous trips to Japan under our belt, Fukuoka was a welcome change of pace for us, especially as new parents. This was our first trip just with our baby girl, and it was the perfect city to explore without the pressure of a packed itinerary or crazy crowds.
Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, or just looking for a slower-paced alternative to Japan’s megacities, this 4-day guide offers something for everyone!
Watch this and explore with us, our first trip just with our baby girl.
Disclaimers
Details including but not limited to operating hours and price may change. This article will contain affiliate links, which will come at no cost to you for clicking.
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4-Day Travel Itinerary in Fukuoka
Day 0
Touchdown and Take It Easy
We’ll start at ‘day 0’ for travelers arriving in Fukuoka halfway through the day, so you may adjust accordingly depending on your ETA.
Transportation Passes
The first thing on your agenda should be securing your transportation passes so that you can get around the city seamlessly. Suica and PasMo cards can be used all across Japan, but for Fukuoka-specific ones, you can use Hayakaken for their local subway system, or Sugoca for the JR Kyushu lines.
After landing at Fukuoka Airport, we took a short subway ride to Hakata Station, which is only two stops away. Alternatively, taking the bus will get you to Hakata Station in 15-20 minutes. We buy our tickets in advance at Klook (affiliate) so that we only have to show the voucher or QR code to claim our passes, then we’re good to go. Very easy!
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Dinner
After checking in and dropping off your luggage at the hotel, have your first meal somewhere nearby. It could be a local restaurant, a fast food chain like Yoshinoya (our personal fave), or even something as easy as a 7-Eleven onigiri or Lawson bento. Canal City Hakata is a popular mall that should also provide you with some great food options, and you could even go shopping for some last-minute travel essentials here.
If time permits and you’re already up for some sights, Momochi Seaside Park is a great place to go on a leisurely walk just to get your bearings of the city. You could either catch the sunset over the beach or enjoy the night view of the Fukuoka Tower.
Afterwards, get enough rest and prepare for the next few days, because you’re definitely going to get your steps in!
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Day 1
Welcome to Fukuoka
Breakfast
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a quick convenience store run to start your day. But one of our go-tos for breakfast in Japan is Komeda’s Coffee. They serve bread and jams to go with your morning beverage of choice at no added price. Who doesn’t love a good deal?
Kushida Shrine
Stop by one of Fukuoka’s oldest and most revered Shinto shrines. The Kushida Shrine often has displays of Hakata Gion Yamakasa floats, a symbol of their summer festival.
Kushida Shrine
Starting your trip with a visit to a local shrine makes a great teachable moment for Japanese spiritual traditions. It is customary to take part in a small purification ritual at the temizuya (hand-washing basin) before entering.
Ohori Park
Take a morning stroll through Ohori Park, a massive green space centered around a tranquil lake. The paved walking path encircling the lake is perfect for strollers or little legs, and there's a large playground that children will love.
Ohori Park
You can also rent swan boats on the lake, or get a tour of either the Japanese Garden or the Fukuoka Art Museum for a fee.
Fukuoka Castle
Fukuoka Castle
A short walk away are the Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park. While the castle structures are mostly gone, the remaining stone walls, gates, and elevated viewpoints offer a glimpse into Fukuoka’s history.
Hakata Ramen
Fukuoka is actually the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, and some popular chain restaurants even started here. So it’s only fitting to cap off your day with a delicious bowl of ramen!
Ramen
Regionally known as Hakata ramen, this style of ramen is distinct for its creamy, milky broth made from simmering pork bones. Enjoy crowd favorites like Ichiran or Ippudo in their original branches, or sit with the locals at a small tucked-away shop – regardless, Fukuoka is spoiled with great ramen spots all over the city.
Day 2
Choose Your Own Adventure
Dazaifu
Up for a journey through the region’s past? A 30-minute train ride takes you to Dazaifu, a charming historic town famous for its plum blossoms, and a shrine dedicated to the deity of learning. Many students come here to grant wishes for their upcoming exams. So what’s the harm in tossing in a coin for your kids too?
As you walk down the pedestrian street from the train station, you’ll be greeted by rows of traditional sweet shops selling ume-gashi (plum sweets) and the must-try umegae mochi, a warm, grilled rice cake filled with red bean paste.
Kyushu National Museum
Just a short walk away from the shrine is the Kyushu National Museum. The first floor has interactive areas designed especially for children, with hands-on exhibits, covering Japanese history in an engaging, playful way.
Dazaifu Amusement Park
For those travelling with younger kids, the Dazaifu Amusement Park is a great stop to make some memories together. This was the perfect place to bring our daughter for her very first amusement park experience! The park features around 20 attractions suitable for young children, including rides that babies can enjoy with a guardian.
BABY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN JAPAN | Family travel vlog 🇯🇵
Discover Dazaifu’s Spiritual Side
Make a wish, eat mochi, and relive childhood joy, all in one magical day.
Starts at just $40 per person
BOOK DAZAIFU TOUR HERE
Day 3
Fairytale Escapes and Local Flavors
Yufuin Floral Village
Set out for a magical escape to Yufuin Floral Village, a whimsical town designed to resemble the English countryside. Just under two hours from Fukuoka by train, Yufuin offers a delightful blend of art, nature, and fairytale-like scenery.
Here, you will find charming shops and cafes themed after beloved characters like Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, Miffy, and more! There is also a small petting zoo where you can feed goats. Coming here feels like stepping into a children’s storybook—perfect for our little travelers, and a delight for the grown-ups too.
Fukuoka Japan | We Booked a Private Car Tour Experience! (Perfect for Tourists!)
Lake Kinrin
Before heading back to the city, stop by Lake Kinrin for some scenic nature views. The lake is surrounded by trees and shrouded in mist from the nearby hot springs.
Lake Kinrin
Yatai
Yatai
As you arrive back in central Fukuoka by sunset, head toward the Nakasu area to cap off your day with a delicious meal by the river. Yatai are mobile food stalls that are a beloved local staple, serving everything from yakitori to oden and, of course, the city’s signature Hakata ramen.
Day 4
Would You Rather Go Shopping or Catch Your Train?
Shopping
You can’t leave Japan without indulging in some shopping, trust us, you’ll probably want an extra empty suitcase just for it. These are some of our favorite stores to hit up whenever we’re in the country.
Drugstores / Pharmacies
Shopping can get overwhelming, so if you’d rather avoid crowds and aren’t too picky with selection, a nearby drugstore or pharmacy is a great option for a pasalubong run. And it’s easier to come by such stores because they’re pretty much at every corner.
Drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Tsuruha are some of the most common ones across Japan. But keep in mind that you’ll be limited to snacks, makeup, and medicine, so you might need to look elsewhere for something more specific.
Don Quijote
Don Quijote japan
A trip to Japan isn’t complete without a visit to Don Quijote, notorious for its jingle and beloved for its wide selection of items. This discount store is a sensory overload in the best way. It’s impossible to leave Donki empty-handed with how much it offers – from food, character merch, gadgets, and even quirky souvenirs.
Don Quijote is pretty big all across the country, so you should have no problem finding a branch nearby. There are also mega stores in Nakagawa and Fukushige where you could go for an even bigger shopping experience.
Super 2nd Street
One thing about us is that we love thrifting! So we never miss an opportunity to spoil ourselves with the thrifting scene in Japan. 2nd Street is a mid to high-end secondhand store with over 800 branches all over the country.
In Fukuoka, you can find a Super 2nd Street in the Higashi Ward, where you can get more of a department store experience.
Book-Off
Book-Off Bazaar
Another one of our fave places to thrift is Book-Off. They sell a variety of pre-loved ware from books to video games and even collectors’ items. They also sell vintage clothes and handbags still in great condition. This place is perfect for thrifters like us, and of course, for bookworms and gamers who wouldn’t mind secondhand merchandise for a discount.
Explore Fukuoka’s Hidden Charms
Choose your own adventure, from ramen alleys to sacred shrines, with a private local guide at your side.
Starts at just $148 per person
Head to the Airport or Bullet Train
Bullet Train in Japan
Whether you’re heading back home or to the next city, be sure to reserve tickets for your transportation in time. You can go back to the airport the same way you came from, via train or bus. But if you want to skip the hassle of dragging your luggage through the subway, you could always arrange for a car service to take you there.
For those catching a bullet train to another region of Japan, make sure to book your seats in advance, especially during peak seasons.
We’ve only scratched the surface of the things Fukuoka has to offer. Check out our article on 12 Things to Do in Fukuoka for a complete list, in case you want to swap some things out or are hoping to stay longer.
Looking for the perfect stay in Fukuoka Japan?
Here are our top three hotel recommendations.
Simply click the hotel name and make your reservation today!
Premium
Miyako Hotel Hakata [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Hakata-ku Hakataeki-higashi 2-1-1
Standard
CROSS Life Hakata Tenjin [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Chuo-ku Haruyoshi 3-26-30
Budget
Hotel Halrotto Fukuoka Hakata [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Hakata-ku Hakataekihigashi 2-9-10
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Quick Tips
Money
While cashless options are available in most stores in Japan, always have cash on hand since some stores (especially locally run, small businesses) do not accept card payments. We’ve found that convenience store ATMs are the next best thing for withdrawing cash if there’s no money exchange nearby.
There’s also good news for all Filipinos using GCash! You can use the app abroad to pay in Japan at a good conversion rate. Just have them scan the QR code generated using AliPay+. If you use WePay or ApplePay, you can also look for the sign first before you ask.
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Transportation cards
If you haven’t gotten yourself a Suica or PasMo yet, it might be the best time to get one (affiliate). Makes traveling that much easier!
Special tickets
Got the JR Pass? Make sure to keep it with you ALWAYS since it’s nonrefundable! If you want to know more about the Japan Rail Pass and its different alternatives, check out our article here (link to transpo article)!
Etiquette / Cultural customs
Remember to be respectful and mindful of Japanese culture while visiting, especially at shrines and temples.
For our complete guide on proper etiquette when in Japan, read our article here!
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Ending notes
We’ve squeezed in all the must-sees of Fukuoka in 4 days, but we know it leaves more to be desired! If you’re staying longer than 4 days, you’ll want to check out our Fukuoka vlogs on our YouTube channels for a more in-depth look at all there is to do.
In the meantime, if you’re planning to stick to local travels for now, we’ve also got just the thing for you – let Dream Tours Philippines handle the planning so you can enjoy El Nido, Siargao and Boracay without the stress!
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