#1 NANZO-IN

Nanzo-in is a beautiful place. It holds the world’s largest bronze statue of the Reclining Buddha containing ashes of Buddha and two Buddhist adherents in its interior. In the surrounding of the statue, there are numerous eerie shrines. Get lost in Nanzo-in and discover breathtaking shrines, side passages, and hidden corners.

#2 ITOSHIMA

Looking for incredible sceneries and landscapes? Itoshima might be the spot for you. On the beautiful beach Futamigaura, you can rest in the sun or hike a mountain to see mesmerizing waterfalls. There are also some photogenic spots such as the Palm Tree Swing, Sakurai Futamigaura of Meotoiwa, or wings painted on a wall. I actually went there as part of a roadtrip with my friends, but you can also get there by public transport!

#3 DAZAIFU SHRINE

The Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu was built on the site of Sugawara Michizane grave. He was a scholar, politician, and poet back in the Heian Period. Due to his dedicated learning, he has been associated with Tenjin, a Shinto deity of education. If you need luck for your next exams, why not pay your respect at the Tenmangu Shrine?

#4 CANAL CITY

If you are looking for a souvenir or just want to spend some time shopping, Canal City should be on your bucket list. In addition to 250 shops, you can find cafes, restaurants, a theater, a game center, cinemas, and more. The canal running through the shopping center gives Canal City an extraordinary flair. From 10 am to 10 pm, you can watch a water show every 30 minutes at the center of the canal, which is especially stunning at night. I loved it and was happy to have brought an extra suitcase to Fukuoka!

#5 HAKATA RAMEN

It is food that you are interested in? Go for Hakata Ramen! The first time I tried it was at Ichiran Ramen and it was so good, I came back the next day… and the one after… and so on! Hakata Ramen has a rich, milky, pork-bone tonkotsu broth and delicious noodles. You can also try it at one of Fukuoka’s many Yatai!