Fukuoka is a compact city. The attractions are clustered in certain areas and the transportation system is well developed. In this article, I will introduce where you should stay when sightseeing in Fukuoka, as I was born and raised in Fukuoka.
This article answers to the following questions :
– Where should I stay in Tenjin or Fukuoka Hakata?
– Where is the best location to book a hotel in Fukuoka, Japan?
Overview
In Fukuoka, everything is concentrated around Tenjin and Hakata Station. The transportation system is well developed, so you don’t need to rent a car unless you want to go to the suburbs. Subways, trains, and buses can be used to access most of the tourist spots. Furthermore, Fukuoka is famous for its airport being located within the city. From Fukuoka Airport, you can get to JR Hakata Station or Tenjin in less than 30 minutes by subway, making it really easy to get to the city center.
The main areas for tourists are Fukuoka Airport, JR Hakata Station, Tenjin, and Nakasu Kawabata. All of these are on the subway line. The distance between Tenjin and Hakata Station is only 2km, which is about 10 minutes by subway. It takes about 10 minutes by subway or 45 minutes on foot.
Tenjin is the center of Fukuoka, with its shopping malls and restaurants. The next most prosperous area is the Hakata Station area. The area around Hakata Station used to be a business district, but nowadays, the Hakata Station building houses fashionable stores and restaurants, making it an efficient place to shop and eat. Nakasu Kawabata is well known in Japan as “Nakasu” for its nightlife. On the other hand, Nakasu Kawabata is the downtown of Hakata. There are many old streets and old stores, and you can also enjoy the old Japanese townscape.
If you are planning to visit Fukuoka, you can definitely stay in JR Hakata Station, Tenjin, or Nakasu Kawabata. Nakasu Kawabata is located between Tenjin and Hakata Station, as you can access all places on foot, subway, or by foot. Here are some details about each area.
Tenjin
Tenjin is an area with a high concentration of department stores and restaurants. You can purchase most of local foods in Fukuoka at department stores in Tenjin.
–> Here is the list of Fukuoka Confectionery.
Tenjin has the first station of the Nishitetsu Omuta Line, Nishitetsu bus terminal, and Tenjin subway station, making it convenient for sightseeing. Tenjin is also within walking distance of Hakata Port. From Hakata Port, you can take a day trip to Busan, South Korea by high-speed boat. The transportation is excellent.
However, Tenjin is a busy shopping district. There are no supermarkets or shopping malls for the locals to shop at. There are also few parks. If you want to enjoy nature, you need to go to the suburbs. Hotels in Tenjin are relatively expensive in Fukuoka.
But all in all, it is by far the most convenient to stay in Tenjin because of the convenient transportation and you don’t have to worry about the last train. If in doubt, I recommend staying in the Tenjin area.
The ocean side (north side) of Tenjin, such as Oyafuko Dori and the Maizuru area, is a drinking area lined with clubs and pubs. If you want to stay quietly, the south side is recommended. For example, the Daimyo, Akasaka, Imaizumi, Kego, and Yakuin areas, which are a bit far from Tenjin, are also recommended as they are about a 10-minute walk from Tenjin. Akasaka, Kego, and Yakuin are high-class residential areas. I’ve known this area for a long time, and it’s safe, so I recommend it for women traveling alone. Imaizumi is a residential area, but it is also lined with love hotels along the Bic Camera and Nishitetsu Omuta line. I used to stay in the area closer to Daimyo in Tenjin, where there are many quiet and reasonably priced hotels.
- Highly reputable hotels in Tenjin
- Hotel Okura Fukuoka ★★★★★
Nakasu-Kawabata
Nakasu Kawabata is located in the middle of Tenjin and Hakata Station. It is a downtown area in Fukuoka, with many traditional stores. Kushida Shrine, where the Hakata Yamakasa festival is held, and Canal City are also in the Nakasu Kawabata area. The area is also home to a large drinking area called Nakasu. Many long-established restaurants and famous ramen stores can be found in Nakasu, so you can enjoy the nightlife if you stay in Nakasu Kawabata.
The downside is that some areas are noisy even at night, as there is a lot of nightlife. You may also get the impression that the area is a bit trashy. However, if you move around a bit, you can find quiet apartment hotels and many highly rated Japanese-style hotels, so you are spoiled for choice. Security is not that bad, but it is an area where many different people come and go and there are many touts, so I think you should be aware of what is going on around you in some passages.
There are many hotels that make use of the old streets, so this area is recommended for those who want to stay in a cosy and highly rated hotel.
- Highly reputable hotels in Nakasu-Kawabata
- TABISAI LUXE ★★★★★
- Hotel Great Morning ★★★★
- Grand Base Hakata Naraya ★★★
- Hakata No Yado Tsurezure Ann ★★★
- WeBase Hakata Hostel ★★
- Hotel WA HAKATA（Apartment Hotel）
- AMP FLAT Nakasu K （Apartment Hotel）
Hakata Station
The area around JR Hakata Station used to be a business district, but it has recently been redeveloped to include fashionable restaurants and shopping malls, making it more convenient for sightseeing. However, the Nishitetsu Omuta Line, which is used to visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Yanagawa, is not available from Hakata Station, so you will need to go to Tenjin and change trains.
I have the impression that the Hakata exit side (Tenjin and Nakasu Kawabata side) is more prosperous because of the bus terminal and department stores, but the Chikushi exit is also a busy area with many buildings.
I don’t think there are any problems staying on either side of Hakata Station. Safety is also not a problem.
- Highly reputable hotels in Hakata Station
- Miyako Hotel Hakata ★★★★★
- THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier ★★★★
- Amista Hotel Fukuoka ★★★
- Hotel IORI （Apartment Hotel）
Nishijin
If you want to stay in Fukuoka while experiencing the atmosphere of local people’s life, Nishijin is the place for you. Nishijin is a 15-minute subway ride from Tenjin. It is an area where you can enjoy shopping streets, department stores, and even Fukuoka Tower if you walk a little further to the sea. In particular, the shopping street in Nishijin is an area where small stores are clustered together, giving you a local feel that you can’t find in Tenjin or Hakata Station. When I was a student, I often went to Nishijin to eat Houraku Manju and buy clothes.
The downside is that the transportation is a bit poor. It is a bit far to walk from Nishijin to Tenjin, so you will most likely have to take a bus or subway to Tenjin. Nishishin is a town where locals gather, so you can’t expect the same nightlife as in Nakasu. I think it is safe.
Booking.comFukuoka Airport for transfer
Fukuoka Airport is close to the city center and it takes about 20 minutes by subway to the city center. The area around Fukuoka Airport is a residential area. There are almost no tourist spots around the airport. There are some restaurants, but most of them are chain stores, and all the famous stores and shopping spots in Fukuoka are concentrated around Tenjin or Hakata Station. As a result, for all sightseeing, you will probably have to take the subway or bus to Tenjin or Nakasu Kawabata. If you are staying one night just to change trains, staying around Fukuoka Airport is a good idea. However, if you want to enjoy sightseeing in Fukuoka for a few days, I think it would be cheaper to avoid the Fukuoka Airport area and go to Tenjin area for transportation.
Summary
The standard lodging areas for sightseeing in Fukuoka are either Hakata Station, Nakasu Kawabata, or Tenjin. The most recommended area is Tenjin, which is the main transportation hub and has a lot of stores. If you are looking for a deeper experience of local life, Nishijin is also recommended, as it is less crowded with tourists.