After Okinawa, my journey continued to Fukuoka! It had been years since I was last here. I even had to look it up – it was back in 2014, when I did a language stay in Japan. I remember loving the city so much back then and returning after such a long time felt incredibly nostalgic.

A Japanese friend who lives in Switzerland once introduced me to one of her friends from Fukuoka. Since then, we have been friends for more than ten years. We stayed in touch through messages, but I never had the chance to visit her again – until now. When I decided to go on a solo trip in 2024, I realized that Fukuoka is quite close to Okinawa. So I made the spontaneous decision to stop by for a short visit and I am so glad I did!

Our reunion was absolutely wonderful. My friend even took time off just for me and we spent the days eating out, shopping and taking a small trip to the beautiful Nanzoin Temple. It was simply amazing to see her again after all these years and finally spend time together in person. Besides that, I had a reservation at the Kirby Café and I just enjoyed wandering around the city, soaking up the atmosphere and memories.

Enjoy reading ✨

Accommodation
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Hakataekimae
4 Chome-17-6 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata Ward, 812-0011 Fukuoka, Japan
+81 92-451-2800
hotel-prezio.co.jp

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Useful Travel Tips for Fukuoka

Entry Requirements for Swiss Citizens
Swiss citizens with a valid Swiss passport do not require a visa for stays in Japan of up to 90 days for tourism. Before traveling, you should also fill in your arrival information on Visit Japan Web, which streamlines immigration and customs procedures.

Currency
The currency of Japan is theJapanese yen (JPY), often symbolized as “¥”. As of January 2026, 100 JPY is approximately equivalent to 0.54 EUR, 0.63 USD or 0.50 CHF.

Adapter
Power sockets in Japan are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 100 V with a frequency of 50–60 Hz (depending on the region). Swiss and European plugs usually require a plug adapter.

Sightseeing & Attractions
Fukuoka offers a dynamic mix of modern city life, rich history, coastal scenery and local food culture, making it a great destination for both first-time and repeat visitors.

• Fukuoka Castle Ruins & Maizuru Park – The remains of a former feudal castle set within a spacious park, especially popular during cherry blossom season and offering great city views.
• Ohori Park – A peaceful urban oasis with a large pond, walking paths, cafés and a traditional Japanese garden nearby.
• Nanzoin Temple (Sasaguri) – Home to one of the world’s largest reclining bronze Buddha statues, set in a serene forested area that offers a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.
• Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine – One of Japan’s most important shrines, dedicated to the deity of learning, surrounded by traditional streets, museums and scenic gardens.
• Nokonoshima Island Park – A flower-filled island park just off the coast, offering seasonal blooms, ocean views and relaxing nature walks.
• Momochi Seaside Park – A modern beachfront area perfect for walking, relaxing or enjoying cafés with ocean views.
• Fukuoka Tower – Japan’s tallest seaside tower, providing panoramic views of the city and Hakata Bay, especially beautiful at sunset.
• Canal City Hakata – A massive shopping and entertainment complex featuring shops, restaurants, theaters, fountains and seasonal events.
• Hakata Old Town (Gion Area) – Explore historic temples and shrines, including Kushida Shrine, the heart of the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
• Yatai Street Food Stalls – Experience Fukuoka’s famous open-air food stalls, serving local specialties like Hakata Ramen, Yakitori and Oden late into the night.

Local Experiences
☆ Try Fukuoka Cuisine – Don’t miss Hakata Ramen (rich tonkotsu pork-bone broth), Motsunabe (beef or pork offal hot pot), Mentaiko (spicy cod roe), Mizutaki Chicken Hot Pot and fresh seafood!
☆ Experience Local Festivals & Culture – If you visit in summer, enjoy the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival or explore traditional crafts and cultural events in Hakata’s historic districts.
☆ Enjoy the Yatai Food Culture – Spend an evening hopping between Fukuoka’s famous open-air food stalls, tasting local dishes and experiencing the city’s lively nightlife.
☆ Visit Local Markets & Shopping Streets – Explore Yanagibashi Rengo Market, Kawabata Shopping Arcade or Tenjin for local specialties, souvenirs and everyday city life.

Arrival, Reunion and Pokémon Center Fukuoka

On the first day, I simply arrived.

I was lucky because during that time, a typhoon was passing through Japan and my flight to Fukuoka was not canceled. The flights going in the opposite direction were affected, so I was very relieved when everything went according to plan.

After arriving, I made a quick stop at the Pokémon Center in Fukuoka to get Slowpoke. I spent a long time debating whether I should really buy him (yes my Slowpoke is male haha) or wait until I reached Tokyo. Looking back, I am so glad I decided to get him then, because he was sold out and I could not find him anywhere in Tokyo.

In the evening, I finally reunited with my friend and it felt incredibly special. We talked for hours, caught up on everything that had happened and simply enjoyed being together again. We shared a delicious sashimi dinner, which made the moment even more perfect: good food, great company and the feeling of truly arriving.

Nanzoin Temple and Its Impressive Reclining Buddha

Since neither of us had been to Nanzoin Temple before, we decided to make a little day trip out of it. From Hakata Station, it is about a 30‑minute train ride on the JR Sasaguri (Fukuhoku Yutaka) Line to Kido‑Nanzoin‑Mae Station and then just a short walk to the entrance of the temple grounds.

Right when you arrive, you are greeted with the gentle atmosphere of the temple’s entrance area – calm, green and inviting. One of the first unique things we did there was try out the “Water Mikuji”. Mikuji are traditional Japanese fortune slips that people draw at shrines and temples to see what kind of luck they will have. But the water mikuji at Nanzoin is quite special: instead of drawing a paper slip right away, you dip the special paper into water and watch the characters slowly appear on their own – a really interesting and different experience compared to the usual method. I got Kichi, meaning good fortune, and my friend got Daikichi, which means great or very good luck.

We then made our way toward the Reclining Buddha, one of the highlights of Nanzoin Temple. This statue is truly enormous; about 41 meters long, 11 meters high and weighing around 300 tons – and is considered one of the largest bronze reclining Buddha statues in the world (according to Wikipedia). It represents the Buddha at the moment he enters nirvana, a state of complete peace beyond the cycle of life and death.

Unfortunately, when we visited, the statue was under renovation, so we could not see it in its full glory. We were able to go inside part of it, but taking pictures was not allowed. Still, it was inspiring to be close to such an iconic figure, even with the construction.

After exploring, I bought some little souvenirs and my friend even secretly bought me a matching key chain in a different colour as a gift. I had not even noticed her buying it! I was so happy and touched by the surprise.

The weather was a bit rainy, but that only added to the peaceful vibe and there were not many people around, so we could enjoy the temple grounds in quiet comfort.

The renovations are done by now and I cannot wait to see the Reclining Buddha in all its glory on my next visit.

☆ Nanzoin Temple
Station: Kidonanzoin-Mae Station
Sasaguri, Fukuoka, Japan
nanzoin.net

Opening Hours
Daily 09:00 – 16:30

Mentaiko Ryori, Matcha Café Hachi, Only Cut Boxxx

After our trip, we headed back to Hakata for lunch. I absolutely love mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and could eat it every day! We went to a restaurant that specializes in it and it was so delicious!

Later, we went to Matcha Cafe Hachi and had some dessert, which was the perfect sweet ending to our meal. On our way through the station, we also stopped by a souvenir shop that had quite a few Mokeke I didn’t have yet. Of course, I had to buy some, haha!

After saying goodbye, I wanted to quickly trim my bangs, since they were driving me crazy. I had a hair appointment scheduled in Tokyo but did not want to wait that long. I can highly recommend “Only Cut Boxxx”! Every haircut costs only ¥1,300 and the friendly stylist cut my bangs perfectly.

All in all, it was such a wonderful day!

☆ Mentai Ryori
Hakata Ward, Hakataekichuogai 1−1, Amu Plaza 9F, 812-0012 Fukuoka, Japan
jrhakatacity.com

☆ Matcha Cafe Hachi
Hakata Ward, Hakataekichuogai 1−1, Amu Plaza 9F, 812-0012 Fukuoka, Japan
jrhakatacity.com

Kirby Cafe Fukuoka at Canal City

The next day, I went out on my own. I already had a reservation at the Kirby Cafe and I can’t stress enough how much I recommend booking in advance (I had visited the Kirby Cafe in Tokyo before and it was such a fun experience)! The reservation slots open on the 10th of each month (18:00 Japan time) for the following month.

The Kirby Cafe is located in Canal City, a huge shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka with shops, restaurants and even a cinema. The Cafe itself is simply amazing: the decor, the nostalgic soundtracks and of course, the food, which is adorably instagrammable! Every dish is so cute it almost feels too good to eat.

Of course, everything comes with a price. With two drinks, a dessert and a main dish, I spent around ¥7,000 (thankfully, the exchange rate was kind!) Even so, it was absolutely worth it for the experience.

☆ Kirby Cafe Fukuoka
Canal City B1F, Hakata Ward, Sumiyoshi, 1 Chome−2, 812-0018 Fukuoka, Japan
kirbycafe.jp/cafe/hakata

Opening Hours
Daily 11:00 – 22:00

Online Reservation
kirbycafe-reserve.com/guest/hakata/

Gundam Base, Sanrio Gallery and Ghibli Store at Canal City

Right after the meal, I went shopping around Canal City. The complex has so much to explore – there are lots of fashion stores, as well as character-themed shops like the Gundam Base, Sanrio Gallery and the Ghibli Store. You can easily spend hours wandering around, checking out cute merchandise, limited-edition items and all kinds of quirky collectibles. Even just browsing is fun, especially if you love anime, games or character goods. There is something for everyone!

☆ Canal City Hakata
1 Chome-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, 812-0018 Fukuoka, Japan
canalcity.co.jp

Opening Hours
Daily 10:00 – 21:00

Hakata Station – Christmas Market

I also visited Hakata Station and its nearby Christmas Market – it was just a few minutes’ walk from my hotel, so I could not resist checking it out. It is always a little funny in Japan: on October 31st, it is still Halloween and then starting December 1st, the whole vibe completely changes and Japan is fully in Christmas mode!

At the market, I had my first-ever mulled wine in Japan. It tasted a bit different from what I am used to at home, but it was really warming and festive. I love the Christmas atmosphere in Japan – everything is so cheerful, with bright lights, decorations and illuminations everywhere. Walking around, sipping my drink and enjoying the festive energy was just beautiful.

Thank You for 10+ Years of Friendship

I also want to give a big thank you to my colleague. She spent so much time with me and it was just wonderful to have someone to explore with – especially when you usually travel alone, you really appreciate the company. It is amazing how quickly the time flew by and it makes me so happy that we still get along so well, even after more than ten years.

I hope next time we can meet a bit earlier and not so late in the day. Thank you for your wonderful long-lasting friendship (I really appreciate the matching keychain, I love it). I am really looking forward to seeing you again soon!