From Wikitravel

Fukuoka (福岡) [1] is the capital of Fukuoka prefecture and the largest city on the island of Kyushu.

[edit] Understand

Fukuoka is a modern city; most of its buildings are new. Historically, it was divided into Hakata (博多) and Fukuoka (福岡), two separate cities divided by the central river, and the main railway station and port are still known as Hakata Station and Hakata Port.

The city really has two centres: one in Hakata and one in Tenjin. There's also a Tourist Information Centre in Tenjin, on the ground floor in front of Mitsukoshi under the Nishitetsu Fukuoka station. They have English speakers (and other languages) available. A lot of English information for residents (and some for travellers) is available on the 8th floor of the IMS building from Rainbow Plaza, just a couple of minutes walk to the east of Nishitetsu Fukuoka station. In the middle of Hakata JR train station there is a Tourist Information counter (sometimes with English speakers) with brochures in English, Japanese and other languages. They can help with transport information and making bookings. You can also check out the ACROS building near Nakasu for some English information, on the third floor.

The surrounding cities and towns make up the prefecture of Fukuoka.

Fukuoka is a good starting point to begin a vacation to Japan for first-timers. While still a big modern city, it's not hard to get around. A subway connects most of the city's main attractions, taking in Hakata, Tenjin, Fukuoka International Airport, Meinohama (where Asia's 2nd largest ferris wheel is located) and Nishijin (where you can find Fukuoka Tower and the baseball ground of the Softbank Hawks: Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome). The main station in Hakata also marks the terminus of the famous Shinkansen bullet train.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Fukuoka Airport (IATA: FUK) [2] is located to the east of the city, surprisingly close to the city centre (only two subway stops away from Hakata JR station). Within the country, Japan Airlines and ANA fly to Fukuoka from most larger cities, including Tokyo (both Haneda and Narita), Osaka (Itami and Kansai), and Nagoya Centrair Airport. There are scheduled flights to most major cities in China and South Korea, as well as Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City, but the only scheduled transpacific flights are to Honolulu and Guam.

The airport is somewhat inconveniently split into four terminals.　Broadly speaking, Terminal 1 handles domestic flights to smaller cities (e.g. Sendai, Komatsu and those around Kyushu), while Terminal 2 handles those to larger cities (Nagoya, Naha, Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo). The two are essentially different parts of the same building, 5 min apart on foot, and the subway station is located under Terminal 2. Terminal 3 is not used for departing flights, while the International Terminal is on the opposite side of the runway and requires a 10-min bus transfer from T2 (free, every 20 min or so).

From Tokyo, flying to Fukuoka is much faster than the Shinkansen, and not significantly more expensive. The usual one-way fare on Skymark Airlines from Tokyo Haneda is ¥19,800, compared to ¥22,320 from Tokyo Station on the Nozomi Shinkansen, and steep discounts are available if you book in advance (as low as ¥12,000 with ANA's Tabiwari discount). The flight takes two hours while the train takes five. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, of course, you'll still want to take the train.

[edit] By train

Fukuoka is the current terminus of the Sanyo Shinkansen. Shinkansen services are offered from Kokura in Kitakyushu (20 minutes), Hiroshima (1 hr), Okayama (1 3/4 hrs) and Osaka (2 1/2 hrs), and through via the Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto (2 3/4 hrs by Nozomi), Nagoya (3 1/2 hrs by Nozomi) and Tokyo (5 hrs by Nozomi).

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you cannot use the Nozomi, so if you are traveling from Tokyo or Nagoya you will have to take one of the hourly Hikari trains destined for Okayama and change to the Hikari Rail Star en route. An easy place to make the transfer in between trains is at Shin-Kobe or Himeji stations, where all trains arrive and depart on the same platform. During most of the day, one Hikari train is timed to arrive after the other; this yields a connection time to the Rail Star of only 5 to 15 minutes.

Another option from Tokyo is to take a westbound sleeper express such as the Sunrise Izumo or Sunrise Seto, leaving Tokyo around ten at night, and then connecting to the Shinkansen at Okayama early in the morning to arrive in Fukuoka around nine. While this takes much longer and costs slightly more than the Shinkansen (¥26,530 one way), it may be cheaper as it doubles as lodging and transport.

From Kagoshima, the new Kyushu Shinkansen line will eventually run to Fukuoka, but currently stops at Shin-Yatsushiro, with convenient connections to "relay" trains for Fukuoka. The total trip takes about two and a half hours and costs ¥10,050 each way.

From Nagasaki, the limited express Kamome runs hourly (sometimes twice an hour), taking 2 hours and costing ¥4,710 each way.

Note: Fukuoka's train station is called Hakata. If you search for schedules to "Fukuoka" online, you will likely be given an itinerary for a totally different (and much less interesting) city in northern Japan.

[edit] By bus

Many overnight bus services run into Fukuoka from other parts of the country.

The Moonlight overnight bus runs from Osaka Umeda to Fukuoka in 9 1/2 hours (¥10000 one way); The Kyoto overnight bus, appropriately, runs from Kyoto to Fukuoka, also in 9 1/2 hours (¥10500 one way); and the oddly-named Zondag runs from Nagoya to Fukuoka in 11 hours (¥10500 one way).

If you're really ambitious, Nishitetsu bus runs an overnight service, the Hakata, from the Shinjuku expressway bus terminal in Tokyo to Fukuoka non-stop. The ride, at just over 14 hours, is Japan's longest overnight bus service. A one-way ticket will run you ¥15000; ¥27000 for a round trip.

[edit] By boat

JR Kyushu's Beetle hydrofoils to Busan (South Korea) run five times a day and take just under 3 hours for 13,000 yen (24,000 round trip and 20,000 round trip on weekdays). They are quick, but in 2005 one hit a whale and had to be towed back to Busan. Improved radar to detect such large animals and underwater objects seems to be needed. From Osaka to Kita Kyushu, it takes 6600 yen by Meimon ferry, but it is economy price, you can choose any price, higher and lower.

Three times a week Kyuetsu Ferry Co. run a service to Naoetsu in Niigata and then on to Muroran in Hokkaido

[edit] Get around

Bullet train on the cheap Want to try out the bullet train, but put off by those high fares? Ride the Hakata Minami Line (博多南線) from Hakata Station. Originally built to connect to the train depot, the 8.5-km, ten-minute ride uses Shinkansen equipment — until August 2008, you may even catch the original "Series 0" — and costs just ¥290.

Fukuoka is served by three subway lines. The Hakata subway station, located under the JR Hakata Station, can take passengers straight to Fukuoka International Airport (6 minutes, ¥250), as well as to Tenjin, the city's de facto downtown district, and other major stops. An all day subway pass (One Day Pass) costs ¥600, a ticket to the next station costs ¥100;. There are ¥1000, ¥3000 and ¥5000 F Cards (with ¥1100, ¥3300, ¥5700 value). There are also ¥3000, ¥5000 Yokanet cards (with ¥1100, ¥3300 value) which can be used on all all Nishitetsu services and the subway.

Fukuoka is well served by Nishitetsu buses. Buses around the Tenjin and Hakata area cost ¥100. Outside that area, prices go up slowly to about ¥440 for greater distances.

The city is small and compact enough to wander around on foot. In the Tenjin area, Chikagai (Underground Basement Floor), which runs under Watanabe street and has many many shops, connects the Tenjin and Tenjin Minami subways stations with most major department stores and the Nishitetsu Fukuoka station. There is a passenger tunnel which connects Hakata and Gion subways stations and is useful during the frequent rains in summer and bitter cold winds in winter, the latter of which is close to some of Fukuoka City's more interesting temples and shrines.

Taxis are available; they start from about ¥560, not the cheapest way to go. Some drivers speak English, but it's best to have your destination written on a piece of paper in Japanese if you don't speak any. Velotaxis are also available; They are ¥500 for the greater Tenjin area. They are human operated bicycle taxis. Friendly to the environment!!

If you can get a hold of a bicycle, it is probably the best way to get around. Parking does become a problem in some areas, but there are long term (6am to 11pm) underground parking areas which are free for the first 3 hours in Tenjin. BIC Camera's 8th floor which is opposite Kego shrine has free bicycle parking from 10am to 9pm.

[edit][add listing] See

• Behind ACROS building is Tenjin Chuo Park. ACROS has a rooftop garden which is open during the day, and makes for a good view of the city. Just east of ACROS is the former Prefectural Guest House, featuring turn of the century architecture.

• Tourists visiting Fukuoka should not miss the beautiful Ohori park located 2 stops west of Tenjin on the subway. Also next to Ohori Park is Mazuru park with the ruins of Fukuoka Castle, which also gives a good view of the city.

• Fukuoka is the home ground of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, so you can watch baseball games in the Yahoo Dome during the baseball season.

• Near the Yahoo Dome, is a stretch of beach known as Momochihama where visitors can enjoy a bit of swimming and sun. While the water isn't as clean as the waters further west and east in Fukuoka, you can still take a refreshing dip. The area behind the Seahawk Hotel is good. It's less crowded during the summer.
  

  

  Momochi Beach

• Near Fukuoka Tower, there is ROBOSQUARE. It is free admission and there you can see and play with different kinds of robots as well as watch some of the engineers at work.

• If you are visiting in November, be sure to check out the sumo matches held in Fukuoka. You are bound to see some of the sumo out on the streets doing a bit of tourism as well!

• Kabuki theatre is also an experience worth checking out. Check times and prices at the Hakata-za near Nakasu. If you don't want to stay for the whole show, or don't have so much money to spend, you can watch part of a show for about 800 yen. Ask at the ticket office.

• Noh theatre is also a cultural experience that some may not want to miss. There is a Noh theatre in Ohori Koen. Quite a few productions are held there, some of them free. You can get a schedule in the newsletter printed by Rainbow Plaza (IMS building 8th floor). Don't worry, if you fall asleep during the play, it's almost expected. It's all part of the Noh experience!

• About 30 minutes from Tenjin, visitors can go to Dazaifu where you will find the Tenmangu Shrine. This shrine is popular with students as it is dedicated to Sugawara-no-Michizane who was deified as Temman Tenjin or Kanko, the god of culture and scholars. You can get there from Fukuoka/Tenjin Station, Nishitetsu line. About 220 yen. See the link at the bottom of the page.

[edit][add listing] Do

For a good listing of what's happening and places to eat and drink, the local monthly English language Fukuoka Now magazine (available in most places foreigners go) is a great start.

The area is famous for 2 local annual festivals, the Dontaku (May 3-4) and the Yamakasa (July 1-15), both of which are some of Japan's oldest and draw huge crowds..

• A bus ride across the bay is also highly recommended for the sweeping views of the port, the ocean, and outlying islands.
• In the summer, many of the department stores have beer gardens on their roofs with buffet style courses and all you can drink for about 2 hours. If you have a bit of cash (around 3500yen) its a nice way to spend a hot summer evening.
• The park behind Solaria Plaza, Kego Koen, is an interesting place to go in the evening to see some of the younger and more colourful residents of Fukuoka strut their stuff and try to impress the other sex (or, if homosexuals, the same sex). Don't be surprised if some of these kids try to approach you for a bit of random conversation.
• If you haven't tried karaoke yet, why not try it now? There are many karaoke places to choose from, some with costumes you can borrow (just don't try to take them home!!!). If you just want to go for a couple of hours, most have systems where they charge by the hour, morning and afternoon hours being the cheapest. If you want to make a night of it, from 11pm, most have free time systems which mean nomihodai (all you can drink) and all you can sing for about 2500 yen until 5am.

• Get out of the city. Although Fukuoka doesn't seem like the premier beach destination city, there are quite a few beautiful beaches in and around Fukuoka city. Most are an easy train ride away. While surfing isn't very good during the summer, a few waves can be caught around Mitoma (take the subway to Kaizuka Stn,then transfer to the Nishitetsu Miyajidake line to Mitoma Stn. Takes about 20 minutes or so. From the station, its a 10 minute walk to the beach) east of the city around the end of August. West of the city, Niginohama and Futamigaura, are supposed to have nice waves. To get to Niginohama, you'll need a car. Drive to Maebary IC, head in the shima direction along Kendo 12. Go straight at the intersection in front of Shima town office and turn left at Nogita intersection in front of 7/11. 50 min from Tenjin. To get to Futamigaura, Take a SHOWA bus for Tani from JR Chikuzen Maebaru (so first take a train to Chikuzen Maebaru if you are in Tenjin or Hakata). Get off the bus at Imuta (around 30 minutes). About a 15 minute walk to the beach.

• Club Olympus Fitness Centre & Spa, Grand Hyatt Fukuoka Hotel, 1-2-82 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, ☎ +81 92 282 1234 (rsv@grandhyattfukuoka.com), [3].  edit

[edit] Learn

There are several schools for studying Japanese in Fukuoka.

• Japanese School Asahi Nihongo (Asahi Nihongo), Yodo Bldg. 2F, 2-9-30 Daimyo, Chuou-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 810-0041, Japan (7 minute walk north from Tenjin in the Showa Street on the left side towards Akasaka), ☎ +81 +81-92-7166212 (info@asahinihongo.com, fax: +81-92-7166214), [4]. Asahi Nihongo's students can enjoy the use of spacious classrooms, an internet corner, self study rooms and a comfortable reception area for meeting and making new friends. Asahi Nihongo is also the place to come to find a rewarding internship in Japan. This school can introduce you to a Japanese company for a very fulfilling work experience. Asahi Nihongo is the only school in Fukuoka who offer this valuable service. Asahi Nihongo also specializes in marine sports and offers the most exciting ways to enjoy your study. Learn Japanese while also learning to dive, surf, sail, ski or whatever takes your fancy. edit

• NPO Genki Japanese and Culture School (GenkiJACS), Grand Building, 2nd floor, 2-9-5 Daimyo, Chuuouku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 810-0041, Japan (5 minute walk from Tenjin towards Akasaka), ☎ +81 (092) 716-8673 (info@genkijacs.com, fax: +81 (092) 716-8698), [5]. Has short program full time and part time Japanese lessons in a small classroom style. Includes pop culture, tea ceremony, kimono and other classes and trips to experience Japanese outside the classroom. Can organise groups from schools and individual programs. Home stays are also available. edit

• YMCA, Asahi Bulding, 2nd floor, 3-4-7 Tenjin, Chuuouku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 810-0001, Japan (5 minute walk north from Tenjin), ☎ +81 (092) 781-7410 (f-ymca-jlc@pop07.odn.ne.jp, fax: +81 (092) 712-4223), [6]. Has long program (1 year) courses. Sponsorship for student visas is available. edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

Tenjin (天神) is Fukuoka's largest shopping district, separated down the middle by Watanabe-Dori with an abundance of designer stores housed in towering retail blocks such as Tenjin Core, IMS and Vivre to the east, and Solaria Plaza Vioro to the west. There are also several large department stores, Iwataya, Daimaru and Mitsukoshi (all with good underground food floors.) As well, there are boutique areas, including Tenjin Chikagai which is housed in a pleasant underground area adjacent to the Tenjin subway station, running under Watanabe street. Nishi-Dori and Oyafuko-Dori (actually the same street, separated by Showa-Dori) contain a multitude of stores and restaurants, both mainstream and independent.

The Shotengai or shopping arcades are also good places to shop. In Tenjin, to the west of Solaria Stage you can find one Shotengai. In the myriad of shops you are sure to find a deal. If you are looking for a kimono, check out the used kimono store in this arcade. Near Nakasu, across from Eeny Meeny Miny Mo, you can find the Nakasu-Kawabata shopping arcade. There are a couple of shops that have traditional paper goods, one shop that sells NOREN or the curtains you will see over the doorways of restaurants, and a bakery with very very cheap goods.

Over the past few years, the main shopping, eating and drinking area has been moving away from north Tenjin and the Oyafuko-dori street south towards Daimyo, Kego and Imaizumi. With a different feel to the commercial district of Tenjin, just to the west (past Nishi-dori) is Daimyo, an area filled with small, mostly independent shops, bars and restaurants. Worth a visit during the day for the shops and night for the restaurants. On Sundays this area is full of young people out shopping. A good place for people shopping. A little further to the south is the upcoming areas of Kego and Imaizumi, with the same sort of feel.

A uniquely designed mall called Canal City, which houses many kinds of clothing stores, restaurants, rare character shops - including a Studio Ghibli goods shop - and even a well-appointed theatre, is located midway between Tenjin and Hakat, next to the Nakasu entertainment district. If you have time, be sure to catch one of the hourly fountain shows held in the centre of the bowl-shaped complex.

With regards to gift-giving, if you're pressed for time, take a quick look around the craft and boutique stores in Hakata Station before leaving. Many carry the white clay Hakata dolls that are unique to Fukuoka. Prices range from under ¥1000 to much more, whilst models and prices are comparable to those found in Tenjin. In case you are into cameras, computers or other electronics, you can find a huge Yodobashi Camera store right outside of Hakata station. Go out to the eastern side of the JR station (Chikushi Gate). You will find it in the second block on the right hand side.

Don't miss out on the 100yen shop. It sounds strange, but they are great places to shop to pick up souvenirs (although many items are made in China), dishes, toys and everything else you didn't think you needed. One is located in the bus centre building next to Hakata Station. Another is in the Daiei in Tenjin behind the MINA building.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Hakata is famous for its style of ramen, which has a very pungent smell thanks to a pork rib broth called tonkotsu (豚骨). Stalls called yatai set up from late afternoon and nearly all serve it, and can be found on major streets, particularly in Tenjin, Nakasu, and most of all on Nagahama-Dori. Along the river from Canal City, an entire strip of yatai can be found. In Tenjin, near the post office and up and down that street.

• Ichiran (一欄), 5-3-2 Nakasugawa, Hakata-ku (2 min from subway Nakasu-kawabata exit 2; five other outlets around town), ☎ +92-262-0433, [7]. 24 hours, 365 days. Probably Fukuoka's best-known ramen chain, dedicated solely to perfecting tonkotsu. Buy a ticket from the vending machine outside (just hit the big top button) and take a seat at the counter.　Each seat has a curtain in front and dividers on the side, so nothing distracts you from the noodle experience that awaits. (Cellphones, kids or conversation are not allowed!) Hand over your ticket, receive a questionnaire on how you like your noodles (available in English at some outlets), and choose the middle option (基本 kihon, or "standard") for everything. In under a minute, a bowl of noodles will appear — dig in and slurp away. If you want more noodles or an egg, press the button and ask for kaedama or tamago respectively. ¥650.  edit

• Mami-chan (まみちゃん) (across from the post office and down the street). Don't eat the ramen, it's not so good, but the other items on the menu are excellent. Mami-chan's is unusual in this respect as many yatai don't have menus or listed prices so its often best to find out how much an item is before ordering or you might find your bill a bit higher than you expected. At Mami-chan's, Mami, the proprietor is jovial and friendly, often serving a bit extra to customers and taking photos of everyone that passes through. edit

Another regional product Hakata is famous for is the spicy mentaiko (明太子), or cod roe condiment, though in actuality these days it is all imported. Both products are widely available for tourists in JR Hakata Station as well as major department stores, although the mentaiko needs to be kept refrigerated.

Fukuoka is also known for having good gyoza (pork dumplings) and there are many places to try some.

• Tetsu-Nabe (鉄鍋) (near Gion station in Hakata). There is another located in Nakasu, but the Hakata one seems to be the most popular. Be aware though that when you enter, you will be expected to be quick with your order as the place is usually very busy. edit

• Alohana in the Daimyo area is a good restaurant for some Hawaiian atmosphere and taste. Dishes run around 800yen, cocktails and beer from 600yen and up.

• Propeller Drive in Imaizumi, in the area behind the Eddie Bauer, is a funky place with chandeliers and mirrors hanging all around. Sunday through Thursday they have Happy Hour until 8pm, drinks are 300 yen. Until 9pm they serve the Venus Special, a dinner set for 1050yen, an excellent value!

• RingerHut, although a chain restaurant, does very good Champon (a kind of Chinese noodle dish with seafood and vegetables). If you are low on cash and need a filling meal, this is definitely one place to go. Some branches have a system where you put your money in a machine, push the button under the dish of your choice and give your ticket to the staff. Other branches you just order from the menu.

Lunch time is probably the best value for the money. Most restaurants will do lunch sets at 1/2 or 1/3 the price of their dinner sets but serve the same course. If you have a bit more cash to spend on lunch and want to have a nice Japanese style lunch, the Grand Hyatt at Canal City and the Excel Hotel near Nakasu are both good. Most of the larger, nicer hotels in the area will serve beautiful lunch sets. For lunch sets under 1000 yen, you can probably hit many of the regular restaurants and cafes in the area.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Yatai, or street stalls, are plentiful throughout Fukuoka and represent a great place to grab a bite to eat and drink whilst mixing with the locals.

The Tenjin area has a plethora of izakaya (Japanese pubs) have picture menus which make it easy for the traveller who speaks no Japanese. Watami わたみ　wara wara わらわら are two that come to mind. Shirokiya, another izakaya, is decent and fairly easy to find. It is on Nishi-dori, across from the Nishtetsu Grand Hotel above Kitamura Camera in the same building as Sam and Dave's, a night club popular with the hip-hop crowd.

Careful, some of the smaller bars down the backstreets will often have a table charge of 200-500 yen per person. This usually means you get a tiny bowl of nuts, chips or pickled octopus...

• Infinity(1-12-52 Daimyo, Chuo-Ku Tel: 092-711-8828 Open Tuesday-Sunday. Tues-Thurs 18:30-2:00, Fri, Sat and Holidays 19:30-5:00), a recent addition to the bar/club scene, offers funky interior design with specials all week. Currently (as of August 2007) Wednesday is Latin night, Thursday is a jazzy night with specials on champagne and wine, Friday and Saturday are Hip-Hop nights and Sunday is House Mix with various DJ's.

• The Craic and The Porter, 2F Kusano Bldg (Above ABC FLower shop on Oyafuko-dori) Tel: 090-4514-9516. A beer bar "for beer lovers." Features numerous, hard-to-find American and European imports by a very interesting American expat. . An entertaining time is guaranteed for all!!

• Off Broadway (2F Beans Bldg, Oyafukodori. Tel: 092-724-5383) in Tenjin is run by a friendly American ex-pat and is a favourite with navy personnel passing through the region. Serves a great hamburger, although food service is a little slow. Happy Hour from 6pm-8pm everyday.

• The Dark Room close to Off Broadway is the de facto hang-out for foreign rock bands playing in the area. The proprietor, Moses, ensures a good time in this multi-level indie hangout. Also has a 8th floor beer garden, which is a great place to kick back on summer evenings. Thursdays are 300 yen Corona beer night.

• The ubiquitous Hard Rock Cafe chain has a Fukuoka outlet, situated at the Hawks Town mall, next to Yahoo! Dome in momochi (subway: Nishijin)

The Happy Hour concept is just beginning to make its way into the bars in the area, so you can now find places that do cheap drinks. Thursday night is also a good time to avoid weekend crowds, find the local ex-pat population and get some good deals on drinks.

• Morris' British Pub in Daimyo does Happy hour from 5pm-7pm. Guinnes,Old speckled Hen ￥590/1pint,and cocktails are half price. Good fish and chips. Around the corner from the KFC on Nishidori. Open from 17:00.

• Tattoo (1-18-36 Imaizumi, Chuo-Ku. Open 18:00-4:00 Tel:092-716-6119) and Propeller Drive (owned by the same guy and both located in Imaizumi) have Happy Hour from 6pm-8pm Sunday-Friday, drinks 300 yen.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are several hotels located around Hakata Station, as well as the Gion area, Nakasu, and Tenjin, from capsule hotels and reasonably priced western hotel rooms, to more expensive tourist hotels.

[edit] Budget

• ESPA Hotel (pronounced "ess-pa"). A capsule hotel about an 8 minute walk south of Hakata Station. Pleasant conditions (for a capsule hotel), an excellent spa, jacuzzi and sauna area, 24 hour restaurant as well as massage facilities available. About ¥4000/night including spa entry, no tattooed customers allowed.

• Fukuoka Youth Hostel, Hakata-ku, 6-7-23 Hakata-eki Minami, (subway Hakata), tel. 092-473-4555, [8]. This hostel is part of the Japan Youth Hostels group and seems very new. The rooms range in price from 3300-3700yen and are much much bigger than the ones at Khaosan. The downside is that it's about 15 minutes further away from Hakata station by foot, and it lacks the very friendly staff of the Khaosan (not to say the staff at FYH aren't helpful, they just aren't social). Another irritant is that they won't let you check in until 4pm, but they'll let you put your bags in the room while you wait(?!).

• Green Inn Capsule Hotel, Tenjin District, a bus ride from JR Hakata station. This places you within walking distance of the best entertainment areas in Fukuoka. Ask at JR Station Tourist Info for details. Its nice to have a walk home after drinking. Taxis are pricey.

• International Hostel Khaosan Fukuoka (インターナショナルホステルカオサン福岡), Hakata-ku, Hiemachi 11-34 (subway Hakata), tel. 092-404-6035, [9]. New Opening on December in 2006, the first hostel in Fukuoka city, Cheap and nice stay, Dorm from 2400 yen.

• Media Cafe Popeye (internet cafe). An internet cafe that offers razors, tooth brush, and a shower. Check in between the hours of 10 pm to 8 am with options of staying 5 or 10 hours. 5 hrs stay will cost ¥1200 where as 10 hr stay is ¥2600.

[edit] Mid-range

• Fukuoka Floral Inn Nishinakasu (フローラルイン西中洲), Chuo-ku Nishi-Nakasu 5-10 (subway Nakasu-kawabata), tel. 092-735-1100, [10]. Opened in 2003, central location, small but clean and quiet rooms, free Internet in lobby. Triples from ¥7800.

[edit] Splurge

• With The Style, 1-9-18 Hakataeki-minami, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-Shi, Fukuoka 812-0016 Japan (7 Minute walk from Hakata station and close to the airport), ☎ 81-92-433-3901 (fax: 81-92-433-3903), [11]. Check in: 14:00pm; Check out: 16:00pm. A Ryu Kosaka designed upscale boutique resort, complete with world class Italian dining, premium Japanese nabe, posh bar scene, rooftop outdoor spa and an intimate private stay guest lounge. The rooms are spacious and elegant with private balconies, stocked with a complementary mini-bar and top shelf amenities.*English Speaking Staff edit

• Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, 1-2-82 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, (in Canal City Hakata), ☎ +81 92 282 1234 (rsv@grandhyattfukuoka.com), [12]. Check in: 12:00pm; Check out: 15:00pm. Large bathrooms. Near to Hakata and Fukuoka train stations and the airport. Plenty of shopping and entertainment at Canal City. edit

• Hyatt Regency Fukuoka, 2-14-1 Hakataeki Higashi, Hakata-Ku (5 minutes' walk from Hakata subway station), ☎ +81 9 2412 1234 (rmr.hrf@fcc-web.com), [13]. 4 star hotel with 3 restaurants. edit

[edit] Get out

JR train tickets (set of 2 or 4) for one day travel on Limited Express trains are cheaper than individual tickets. The Bullet Train has cheap rates to Kitakyushu on the weekend (¥3000 return.)

• Dazaifu — a site of pilgrimage every new year for Japanese students, this small town houses the beautiful Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (dedicated to a Shinto deity of learning) and the recently built National Museum (Kyushu).

• Kurume — famous for its ramen noodles, 1 hour from Tenjin by train.

This is a guide article. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrival and departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star!