Have you ever wondered what to do in Fukuoka? As I studied there for a year, I especially enjoyed daily life there, but let me attempt to list up what you can do when you want to get out! If I have a blog about it, I will add it as a personal experience :D
Before you continue reading, I really want to recommend you to get a bike! if you plan to stay for a while :D Nothing better than getting your own transport and seeing stuff.
If you like TEMPLES By now I have seen a whole bunch of temples, shrines … and they have become as normal to me as a church is in Europe. Anyway! If you come to visit Hakata, there are some places you might want to check out! ^_^ –Dazaifu! This is certainly worth a visit! My friend Freya has amazing pictures of it, of the Winter and Spring, which make me want to go again if I see them. We went there on a ‘field trip’ in autumn, if I remember correctly. *Kushidajinja shrine (櫛田神社)& Tochoji temple (東長寺), both on walking distance from Hakata station. And if you go to Tochoji, definitely go inside! It harbors the largest wooden seated statue of Budda in Japan! Oh and walk beneath it.. you’ll see ;) *Nanzouin(!) It’s a must! For me it was one of the best places I visited. It was breathtaking and it really is a fond memory. It’s located in Kasuya and the closest station is Kidonanzoin Mae (城戸南蔵院前駅), so really easy to reach. :D
Chelsey, Freya and me
But honestly, there are so many temples around that you just cannot not go!
PARKS/NATURE *Ohori park seems to be amazing. I haven’t been there yet but one day -one day- I will cycle there from wherever I am, cause that was always the plan. *Nokonoshima (on my bucket list) *Uminonakamichi seaside park! I went there several times, actually. Once we visited the aquarium and Freya took stunning pictures of the animals. When I got a bike in Spring I cycled there and later had fun on the playground at a picknick. It has become a place with quite some found memories for me. *Go crazy and climb a mountain! One of my best (and most ‘painful’) experiences in Japan was climbing the Houmanzan near Dazaifu, only to have an incredible view from the top. *Visit the Kawachi wisteria garden (河内藤園) in Spring! *Go to Akizuki. It is known for the scenery in Autumn but I feel like it is beautiful anytime of the year :D
On top of Houmanzan
Kawachi Wisteria Garden http://www.kitakyushu-museum.jp/resources/2620
Uminonakamichi
FOOD As a vegetarian this is a difficult topic for me, as I felt like I wasn’t able to fully enjoy Japanese cuisine. My classmate Ann-Sofie wrote a really nice and helpful blog about vegetarian food. Furthermore,in the second semester I got introduced to a local greengrocer and I LOVED going there for my veggies. Way better than the supermarket! So go local! :D I asked some friends what they thought you should do/have and came up with this small foodlist:
-Hakata ramen –Hand Drip Coffee soufflée – Actually the only reason I put this place on the list is because I remember they had good soufflée :D Not Japanese at all -go Indian! Bishnu student menu in Aeon was litterally the best there was! Unfortunately that restaurant is no more, but there are plenty of nice Indian places around! ^_^ -Kakigoori (かき氷) or shaved ice, the perfect cooldwon on a hut Summer day! -Motsunabe -Okonomiyaki (ask without meat, you can sometimes find it with cheese) -Kaitenzushi (rice with egg roll, tofu, fried onion, cream puff) / Kurazushi –Sweets Paradise –Tempura <3 My favorite was a restaurant only a 5k ride away ! –Taiyaki (with custard!) –Yatai or food stalls. It was always on my to-do-list and still is.In Summer it seems like an awesome thing to do with friends! -Montsunabe restaurant called Yamanaka (recommended by friends :D Although I don’t know what they have of vegetarian food)
Pink..pink..pink
Tadaaaaa! :D Tempura!
Fancy Tempura! <3
Kakigoori
But above all, just enjoy! Whether you’re a nature freak, city girl or you’re all about the food, it’s all about what you want to do, right? ;) So, what’s your favorite place in/around Fukuoka? :D
Ps: This blog will be updated, but I already wanted to try to inspire people who will go to Japan soon :D Good luck, new WJC!
PPS: Writing this made me reaaaaaaally nostalgic!
What to do in Fukuoka? Have you ever wondered what to do in Fukuoka? As I studied there for a year, I especially enjoyed daily life there, but let me attempt to list up what you can do when you want to get out!
