Most people visiting Japan don’t make it to the south of the country, but those who do, know just how special and unique it is.
On my recent trip to Japan, I spent 5 amazing days in Fukuoka, exploring the city and the surrounding areas – and it quickly became one of my favourite cities.
As a city, Fukuoka is super unassuming at first. You’ll arrive (perhaps in Hakata Station, like I did, via the Shinkansen) and you might be struck by how un-touristy, or un-glitzy this part of Japan is.
Whilst Osaka and Tokyo are full of shining lights, and Kyoto is historically preserved with perfection – Fukuoka can (at first) fall a little flat.
But I promise that this initial reaction won’t last for long.
Spend just a little time walking its streets and the city begins to reveal itself. The charm here is quieter, but no less powerful. Fukuoka hides so much culture, so much life, and so much warmth.
And the best bit? You won’t need to wade through crowds of tourists to enjoy it all. This is a city that gives you everything you’re hoping to find in Japan, and then some.
If I was to summarise the Fukuoka aesthetic, it would be: simple, traditional, understated, clean, and beautiful.
From the streets of Hakata lined with food vendors and ramen bars, to the stunning public parks and Japanese gardens, to the beautiful white sandy beaches and bright orange sunsets – this is a city that kind of has everything, but doesn’t feel the need to boast about it.
There’s something incredibly calming about that. Fukuoka is a place where beauty is woven into the everyday – where you stumble upon small shrines on quiet streets, or catch the scent of grilled yakitori as you wander past a tucked-away izakaya.
But let’s talk about the food in Fukuoka…
One of the things that has stayed with me the most about Fukuoka, though, has been the food.
The food was by far one of the most memorable parts of the city – so I couldn’t not mention it when talking about the aesthetic of Fukuoka.
Because honestly, a lot of the city’s essence, its rhythm and soul, is expressed through food and coffee.
It honestly felt like Japan was hiding all their amazing food and drink down in Fukuoka. Some of the best coffee I’ve had in my life was there, as was some of the best ramen, and the best Japanese curry.
I lost count of how many bowls of Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen I ate, but each one felt like a discovery. There was a depth and richness in the broth that just hit differently. The curry houses were cosy and comforting, and the coffee shops – oh, the coffee shops – were minimal, stylish, and serious about their craft.
Fukuoka in a nutshell
Fukuoka is a true hidden gem for foodies, and it really felt like every dish I ate was better than the last. I found myself looking forward to meal times, not just because I was hungry, but because I knew whatever I chose would be a winner.
