Shofukuji Temple
Founded in 1195 by the priest Eisai who
introduced the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism into Japan, Shofukuji
was the first Zen temple to be built in Japan. In the temple
grounds are the remains of two other ancient temples, as well as a
number of other structures. Sadly, the ancient buildings cannot be
entered but visitors can explore the lovely grounds and examine the
facades. Although the temple complex is a historic and ancient
site, it's not frequented by tourists and is seldom crowded. As a
result, it's peaceful and serene, with its age and history almost
palpable.
Address:
6-1 Gokuso-machi, Higashi-ku
Shofukuji Temple
STA3816
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Fukuoka's Asian Art Museum is found in the
heart of the city, housing more than 1,000 works including
paintings, sculptures, prints and handcrafts. This popular modern
museum offers a wide array of contemporary Japanese art and art
from many other Asian countries. It's fairly small but gives an
impressively comprehensive overview of current trends in the
region. And while the permanent collection is wonderful, there are
regular temporary exhibitions and special events too. The museum
should appeal to those both uninitiated and well-versed in Asian
art.
Address:
Riverain Complex, 3-1 Shimokawabata-machi,
Hakata-ku
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
angelune des lauriers
Kushida Shrine
One of Fukuoka's best-known shrines is
Kushida, founded in 757. It's situated in the heart of ancient
Hakata with a huge 1,000-year-old gingko tree shading its
forecourt. The shrine honours the grand deity, Ohata
Nushina-mikoto, and was built for the common people during the
Heian Period. Today it's much enjoyed by locals and visitors alike
during the summer's major event, the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival.
On the last day of the festival, the Kushida Shrine becomes the
starting point for this fun run where hundreds of young men clad
only in loincloths carry heavy wooden shrines through the streets
along a set route, vying to clock the fastest times. The shrine
itself contains several items of interest, particularly the Eto
Arrow plate bearing carvings of the Chinese zodiac and a brace of
anchor stones, recovered from the harbour, that were once attached
to ships of the Mongolian invasion fleets. The Hakata Historical
Museum is also situated in the shrine grounds, which are pretty and
well-kept.
Address:
1-41, Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku
Kushida Shrine
David Pursehouse
Fukuoka has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and
mild winters. During summer (June to August), temperatures can
reach around 99°F (37°C), while winters (December to February) are
relatively mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 32°F
(0°C). The city does, however, occasionally experience snowfall in
the winter. Fukuoka's rainy season is between June and July. Autumn
is often considered the best time to visit Fukuoka but beware, the
typhoon season occurs during this time (September to October).
Spring is also a popular time for visitors as the city's beautiful
cherry blossoms emerge in full force.
Fukuoka Airport
Location: Fukuoka Airport is located less than two miles (3km) east
of Hakata Station in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
Time: Local time is GMT +9.
Transfer Between Terminals:
The Domestic and International Terminals are connected by a
shuttle bus that runs every ten minutes.
Getting to the city:
Several buses depart from the Domestic Terminal to various parts
of Fukuoka. Buses from the International Terminal are more limited.
The Kuko line of the subway also runs from the airport into the
city, and connects with the Hakozaki and Nanakuma lines.
Car Rental:
Car rental reservations can be made at the Information Desk in
each terminal.
Airport Taxis:
Taxi stands are located outside each Arrivals Terminal, and are
operated by the Fukuoka City Taxi Association.
Facilities:
The airport offers banking services and currency exchange, a
post office, left luggage facilities, lockers, a smoking area,
nursing room, clinic and pharmacy, and VIP lounge, as well as a
number of restaurants, bars, and shops. Duty-free shopping is
available in the International Terminal.
Parking
Car Parks located near the Domestic Terminal charge ¥200 up to
11 hours, and ¥2,400 for 24 hours. Another car park is located
across from the International Terminal, and charges ¥200 every
hour, for the first four hours, and ¥1,000 after the first four
hours, up to 24 hours.
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Fukuoka is rapidly growing in popularity with
tourists as it is an exciting and cosmopolitan city, making an
effort to attract and entertain visitors. The attractions of the
city tend to be modern rather than traditional or historical and it
is known for its contemporary architecture, its fun nightlife, its
great cuisine and restaurant scene, and its love of baseball.
That is not to say that there are no traditional
sites of interest: Fukuoka has its share of traditional shrines and
temples and two of the best are the ancient Kushida Shrine and the
Shofukuji Temple, the first Zen temple to be built in Japan.
Tourists can therefore enjoy the fine dining, partying, sports
events, and modern amenities of the city with some worthwhile
sightseeing thrown in. The best areas to seek out some night time
fun are Nakasu, Daimyo, and Tenjin.
For culture vultures there are also some good
museums and galleries in Fukuoka, including the Fukuoka Asian Art
Museum. If you want to enjoy some peace and natural beauty in the
city head to Ohori Park or Maizuru Park for some fresh air.
Fukuoka is also a great base for excursions and
daytrips. The ruins of the ancient city of Dazaifu, and the sprawl
of the modern city of the same name, are nearby, and the active
volcano of Mount Aso attracts many visitors to its lush slopes. The
lovely port city of Nagasaki is also within easy reach. Nokonoshima
Island, a beautiful scenic area where visitors can camp, hike, and
swim, is one of the region's most popular attractions.
Dazaifu
In the northern part of Kyushu Island in
southwestern Japan lie the ruins of Dazaifu, a city that during the
1st century was the seat of government for the island and first
line of defence against threat from East Asian nations. Dazaifu
also boasts one of Japan's most important shrines, dedicated to a
great scholar named Sugawara Michizane. It's now a pilgrimage site
for students from all over the country, especially when examination
season comes around. The ancient Komyozenji Temple is also worth a
visit, mainly for the stunning gardens, which are particularly
beautiful in the autumn when the leaves turn a magnificent array of
colours.
![Dazaifu]()
Dazaifu
JoshBerglund19
Mount Aso
The volcanic Mount Aso lies almost in the
centre of Kyushu Island. Among the largest in the world, it's also
Japan's biggest active volcano. It also boasts one of the world's
largest caldera, stretching about 11 miles (18km) from east to west
and 15 miles (24km) from north to south. While one of its volcanic
peaks (Naka) is still active and regularly emits smoke and ash, the
rest of the landscape inside the caldera is beautifully green, with
horses, livestock and several towns. In the city of Aso there is a
museum dedicated to the volcano which is worth visiting for those
interested in the region's remarkable geology. There is a cableway
up to the Mount Aso crater lake, allowing visitors to see the
steaming turquoise water up close.
![Mount Aso]()
Mount Aso
Furansowakun
Nagasaki
The beautifully situated port city of
Nagasaki lies at the southern end of Kyushu Island. Nagasaki was
open to the world for centuries between 1639 and 1859 while the
rest of Japan was secluded from foreign contact. The exposure to
foreign cultures has left the city with a sophisticated and liberal
air that makes it popular for tourists, enhanced by the many
attractions in the city itself and surrounding prefecture. Here you
can enjoy Feudal castles, samurai houses and smoking volcanoes, as
well as hot spring baths, rugged offshore islands and beautiful
beaches. The most important site in the city is the Peace Park,
commemorating Nagasaki's darkest hour on 9 August 1945, when a
nuclear bomb was dropped over the Urakami district, killing
approximately 80,000 people. A black stone column marks the blast's
epicentre, alongside the Atomic Bomb Museum.
![Nagasaki]()
Nagasaki
Tito & Eva Marie Balangue
Shofukuji Temple
STA3816
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
angelune des lauriers
Kushida Shrine
David Pursehouse
Dazaifu
JoshBerglund19
Mount Aso
Furansowakun
Nagasaki
Tito & Eva Marie Balangue
