“Explore Fukuoka with the local guide on this walking tour!”
On this tour, you will walk and explore an old town in the “Hakata” area and look at the traditional and contemporary side of Fukuoka. Upon finishing the tour, you will be able to understand the differences between Fukuoka and other cities such as Tokyo and Osaka in Japan.
Hakata is said to be the oldest port town in Japan that was prosperous from ancient times as an important point for traffic with in the continent and the Korean Peninsula. For that reason, Hakata has many historical temples and shrines and is known as the birthplace of the Zen Buddhist sect, Japanese green tea, udon, etc. Currently, Hakata is the center of business in Fukuoka City and adds sparkle to people’s lives.
Here at Fukuoka Walking Tour we strive to give you a real Fukuoka experience. You can not only visit temples, shrines, historic and modern sites, but also enjoy seeing Japanese culture, daily lives of local people and taking nice pictures.
“A great memory for your Fukuoka trip”
If you have any questions about Fukuoka, Japan, or other related topics, please don’t hesitate to ask your local guide. All of our English speaking tour guides are professional, nationally licensed, friendly, and familiar with Fukuoka City. Through meeting our local guide, we hope your Japan trip will become a great memory for you.
We look forward to walking with you!
Highlights of the Fukuoka Walking Tour:
- Walking an old town in the “Hakata” area with a friendly local guide
- The biggest and busiest railway station in Kyushu, Hakata Station
- Jotenji Temple: Zen Buddhism temple founded in 1242 and beautiful Japanese dry garden
- Tochoji Temple: The biggest wooden Buddha in Japan and a beautiful five-storied pagoda
- Very popular guardian god, Kushida Shrine founded in 757
- An active shopping arcade with over 100 years of history
- Get refreshed and know quickly about Fukuoka City
Information:
Meeting Place: Tourist Information Center in JR Hakata Station
Meeting Time: 9:50 am
Tour Time: 10:00 am – 12:40 pm (2 hours and 40 minutes)
Walk Distance: 2.5 km (1.6 miles)
Fitness Level: Easy
Capacity: Max 8 persons, Min 1 person
Language: English
Price/person: JPY 5,000
1. Date / Time:
(1) Date:
*To be arranged at your request.
*Subject to guide availability.
>> Please see the calendar
(2) Time:
Meeting Time: 9:50 am
Tour Time: 10:00 am – 12:40 pm (2 hours and 40 minutes)
*The tour will be held rain or shine.
*Please let us know if you would like to request another time.
>>See the calendar
*Please let us know if you would like to request another date.
2. Meeting Place:
In front of the Tourist Information Center in JR Hakata Station.
-Address: 1-1 Hakata-eki Chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi.
-Meeting Time: 9:50 am
>> Google Map
3. Fee and Payment:
JPY 5,000 per person
*This tour is not a private tour.
If you would like to request a private tour, please feel free to contact us.
The price includes;
*English Speaking Tour Guide (National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter)
*Admission fee of Tochoji Temple
*One drink
Children:
(1) From 6 to 11 years old: JPY 2,500.
(2) 5 years old or under: Free and no drink.
Payment:
Please pay the tour fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover, JCB) through Square in advance. After submitting your booking form, we will send you a payment link to Square. The tour reservation will be confirmed after your payment.
4. Enrollment limit:
Max 8 persons, Min 1 person
*The walking tour is also available for a group of more than 8 people.
Several groups, universities, embassies, companies, conference participants, etc. have attended our walking tour as for study, team building, and other purpose. In case that your group is more than 8 people, please feel free to contact us.
5. Route:
Walking distance: about 2.5 km (1.6 miles)
Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
(1) Hakata Station
(2) Jotenji Temple
(3) Tochoji Temple
(4) Hakata Machiya Folk Museum (Machiya Hall)
(5) Kushida Shrine
(6) Kawabata Shopping Avenue
*The tour schedule is subject to change.
6. Tour Guide:
In 2012, we started the Fukuoka Walking Tour with local top tour guides which was the first English tour that was held on a regular basis in Fukuoka City. All of our colleagues are top tour guides, professional, nationally licensed, experienced, familiar with Fukuoka City, and friendly.
7. Application:
Advance reservation is required for the tour.
Interested participants should fill out and send the booking form by 1:00 pm (Japan Time) the day before the tour.
Please note that your reservation is only confirmed when you receive a confirmation email from us after you have filled out and submitted the booking form.
We look forward to hearing from you!
*Responses will be sent within two business days.
Customer Testimonies
Fortunately, we have received a number of good reviews for the walking tour from several tourists, universities, embassies, companies, conventions and cruise customers from over 60 countries and regions around the world. 
It was a very interesting tour and I learnt a lot about Japanese culture. It gave our insight more depth and background.
It is very interesting tour, very impressive of the lady tour guide. She is very friendly and knowledgeable. We thanked her kindness, caring and explanations of all histories, really appreciated.
(1) Hakata Station
The walking tour meeting place is in front of the tourist information center located in the JR Hakata Station. The Hakata train station is also serves as an art showroom.
(2) Jotenji Temple
Jotenji Temple is a Rinzai Sect temple (Zen Buddhism), which was founded in 1242 by a Chinese merchant. Your tour guide will tell the story of why Jotenji Temple was built by a Chinese merchant rather than a Japanese. There is a very beautiful Japanese dry garden called “Sentoutei”.
(3) Tochoji Temple
You will visit the biggest wooden Buddha in Japan called the Fukuoka Great Buddha and a beautiful five-storied pagoda in Tochoji Temple. When the spring has come, the beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in Tochoji.
(4) Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
Tour members can enter an old traditional house and experience weaving Japanese textiles “Hakata Ori” using the traditional method.
(5) Kushida Shrine
Kushida Shrine founded in 757 is very popular guardian god in Fukuoka that is dedicated to the 3 Gods. Your guide will explain the difference between Shinto and Buddhism, the reason why Japanese people believe there are a lot of gods on Shinto religion, Japanese customs, and other religious tradition.
(6) Kawabata Shopping Avenue
Kawabata Shopping Street is an active shopping arcade with over 100 years of history lined with long-established, specialty and various shops on both sides. Interesting goods, souvenirs and Japanese foods can be found on this street.