Surrounded by sea on three sides, Fukuoka Prefecture is a distinctive assortment of Kyushu Island’s affable folk, glorious parks, buzzing city life and lip-smacking grub influenced by its overseas neighbours.
Soak up Kyushu's unique atmosphere in the heart of the prefecture, Fukuoka City. A wander around the pond at the restorative Ohori Park will ultimately end up at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, a particular hot spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring, or in one of the many museums, spanning folk art, robotics, Mongolian invasions and dolls. Kushida Shrine, founded in 757 CE, is the urban host of the region’s biggest annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, while Dazaifu Tenmangu is a shrine deifying the spirit of Michizane — the God of literature. Down a hearty bowl of Hakata Ramen or Tetsunabe Gyoza and taste a wider Asian influence. And if you like your eggs fresh from cods’ ovaries, but just a little bit spicy, then Fukuoka’s for you. It’s called Mentaiko.