Hakata Port Tour: Private Exploration with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

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Fukuoka

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Embark on a private tour of Hakata Port with a licensed guide and vehicle. Explore Fukuoka City’s historical temples and unique food culture in just 6 hours!

Duration: 6 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Fukuoka Castle Remains - Once a bustling site during the Edo period (early 1600s), today, the castle is mostly ruins of stone walls, moats, and gates. However, the panoramic view of Fukuoka city from Fukusaki Hill is stunning. The best time to visit to fully appreciate the castle ruins is during the Sakura Festival.
Sumiyoshi Shrine - One of Kyushu’s oldest shrines, Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, like its counterpart in Osaka, is dedicated to the protective deities of seafarers and is the last in a series of such shrines sailors would visit before setting sail. The Main Hall, rebuilt in its current classical style in 1623, is particularly impressive, along with several important national treasures, including an ancient sword, a copper axe, and old manuscripts and documents from the Middle Ages. The shrine, surrounded by a large grove of Japanese cedars and camphor trees, offers fine views over the River Naka. Be sure to also explore the adjacent Sumiyoshi Park.
Kyushu National Museum - Kyushu National Museum is not your typical museum – it is interactive, allowing you to learn about Kyushu’s history while enjoying various exhibitions. You can dress up in traditional costumes from countries Japan had historical relations with, and play traditional games and instruments while learning about them. The museum is a fantastic place for families, especially those with children.
Kushida Shrine - One of Japan’s most famous (and Fukuoka’s oldest) Shinto shrines, Kushida-jinja was founded in AD 757 and features many unique elements, including intricate carvings of the Chinese zodiac and a gingko tree said to be over 1,000 years old. The shrine is also renowned for hosting the Hakata Gion Yamakasa each July, a spectacular two-week festival with prayers for good health and prosperity, featuring an elaborate race with teams carrying heavy wooden floats from the temple to various locations around the city.
Tochoji Temple - Tochoji Temple (南岳山東長寺) is the head temple of the Shingon Buddhism Kyushu sect, given the special name Nangakuzan. It is dedicated to the famous monk Kobo-Daishi (Kukai 空海) and is one of the oldest temples in Japan established by him.
Yatai - Fukuoka’s open-air food stands (屋台, Yatai) are perhaps the city’s most iconic symbol. Yatai typically seat about seven or eight people and offer an atmospheric outdoor setting to enjoy simple, filling foods. There are dozens of yatai scattered across Fukuoka, but the best place to find them is on the southern end of Nakasu Island, which has a long row of around 20 yatai attractively situated along the water.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park - Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (海の中道海浜公園, Uminonakamichi Kaihin Kōen) is a vast, family-oriented public park on a narrow peninsula across the bay from central Fukuoka. The park features several areas, including flower gardens, playgrounds, an amusement park with a ferris wheel, sports fields, a water park, a zoo, and large open spaces and lawns perfect for picnicking.
Ohori Park - Ohori Park (大濠公園, Ōhori-kōen) is a pleasant city park in central Fukuoka with a large pond at its center. A walking path around the pond’s circumference, just over two kilometers long, is popular for jogging, walking pets, and leisurely strolls by the water. The pond once served as part of the moat system of the neighboring Fukuoka Castle. The park, constructed between 1926 and 1929, was designed after the classical garden style of China’s West Lake. Three islands in the pond are connected to the mainland and each other by elegant stone bridges.
Shofuku-ji Temple - Shofukuji (聖福寺, Shōfukuji) is the first Zen temple built in Japan, founded in 1195 by the priest Eisai, who introduced the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism from China. Although the temple buildings cannot be entered, visitors can walk through Shofukuji’s attractive grounds and observe the buildings from outside. Before Zen’s introduction, Buddhism had a long history in Japan dating back to the 500s. Zen’s teachings, which Eisai brought from China, promoted meditation and discipline as paths to enlightenment and became popular with the samurai class, which held political power through the shogunate government based in Kamakura.
Momochi Seaside Park - Seaside Momochi (シーサイドももち, Shīsaido Momochi) is Fukuoka’s modern waterfront on reclaimed land along Hakata Bay. Developed as the site of the 1989 Asia Pacific Expo, the area features wide, tree-lined streets, futuristic buildings, public parks, and no overhead phone or electricity lines.
Canal City Hakata - Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) is a large shopping and entertainment complex, calling itself a “city within the city.” Attractions include about 250 shops, cafes, and restaurants, a theater, game center, cinemas, two hotels, and a canal running through the complex. Visitors will likely find something of interest in one of Canal City’s many stores, whether a unique Japanese shop or a branch of an international company. The complex also offers a wide variety of reasonably priced restaurants serving Japanese and international cuisine. The fifth floor features the “Ramen Stadium,” with eight ramen shops offering noodle dishes from across Japan, including the local specialty Hakata Ramen.
Yusentei Park - Yusentei Park is known for being the former home of the 6th lord of Fukuoka, built in the 18th century. The park features a beautiful traditional-style garden and an ornate pond, making it a great place to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Visitors can also experience a slice of Fukuoka as it was in the past.
Hakozaki-gu - Hakozaki Shrine is one of the most important shrines in this part of Japan. The original shrine was destroyed during the Mongolian invasion of Fukuoka in 1274 but was rebuilt and has stood in this spot ever since. Notable sights include a stone anchor used by Mongolian ships and a statue of Nichiren, a prominent Buddhist scholar in Fukuoka who foresaw the Mongolian invasion.
Fukuoka Tower - Fukuoka Tower is one of the best places to see the city at its finest. The tower rises to about 234 meters, offering stunning views of the city below. The tower is illuminated at night and is a national symbol of the city, making it a must-visit. The tower also features a restaurant at the top, where you can enjoy a meal with a view.
Nokonoshima Island - Fukuoka, located on the coast, has several beautiful offshore islands. A relaxing 10-minute ferry ride offers stunning views across the water. Nokonoshima, with a radius of about 12 kilometers, is one of the best islands, known for its prime position in Hakata Bay. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking and swimming, and can also camp overnight to enjoy an evening under the stars.
Itoshima - Itoshima city is about 50 minutes from Hakata station by train and 30 minutes by car. The nature-rich city is best known for its amazing sunset at the Sakurai Futamigaura area. A Meotoiwa - Two stacks of rocks symbolizing husband and wife - is located offshore from Sakurai Futamigaura, adding to the stunning sunset. Additionally, a large Torii gate (marking the boundary between the divine and the human) is located along the coast, which photographers will love.
Dazaifu Temmangu - Dazaifu refers to the regional government during Japan’s past. At the Dazaifu Government Remains, you can witness the former governmental grounds where buildings once stood. Nearby is a museum where you can learn more about Fukuoka’s history, making it a great place for Japanese history enthusiasts.
Atago Jinja Shrine - Atago Shrine is one of the less visited but prettiest shrines in Fukuoka. Located on a hillside, it offers sweeping views over the city and Hakata Bay, and you can also see the nesting storks for which the area is famous. As you approach the shrine, you can see the torii gate welcoming you and then walk up the stairs to the main shrine area. Although off the beaten track, the shrine is worth the effort for the views and a glimpse of the city’s religious history.
Yanagawa - River Yanagawa is a picturesque river, and its natural beauty never fails to amaze, especially the sakura flowers in spring. *The Yanagawa river rafting is not included in the tour.
Yanagibashi Rengo Market - Yanagibashi Rengo Market is known as the kitchen of Hakata, with over 40 greengrocers and fishmongers selling fresh products. There are also shops selling fruits and tofu, as well as cafés and bakeries where you can purchase finger food while exploring the market. You can also enjoy a fantastic seafood Donburi (a type of Japanese rice bowl dish) with fresh ingredients like squid and salmon sashimi at the market’s restaurants.
Nanzoin - Just 15 kilometers east of Fukuoka is the Nanzoin Temple, one of the prefecture’s most visited and important Buddhist shrines, attracting over a million pilgrims and visitors annually. The main attraction is the massive bronze statue of the Reclining Buddha, erected in 1995 and said to be the largest bronze statue in the world. The pleasant walk to the site along a shady hillside trail from the quaint village of Sasaguri is notable for its many smaller Buddha statues, picturesque streams, bridges, and gardens. Also worth visiting is the famous wooden Buddha at Tōchō-ji, the oldest Shingon temple in Kyushu, founded in AD 806.

What's Included

Private transportation
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

What's Not Included

Other personal expenses
Lunch - Lunch (for yourself)
Entrance fee (for yourself)

Additional Information

This tour is designed for travelers who visit Fukuoka City by cruise ship. We will pick you up at Hakata Port or hotels near the port. This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Fukuoka City.

Enjoy a 6 hours taxi tour with your private guide, as he/she introduces modern and traditional aspects of this dynamic, ancient city! This dynamic city is home to many historical temples and is famous for its unique food culture.

Let us know what you would like to experience, and your guide will then arrange the tour that’s best for you!

Note1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Location

Fukuoka Castle Remains

Jonai,

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.8

(6 Ratings)

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Jelena_k

Aug 11, 2023

A day to remember - Incredible guide, flexible and accommodating, knowledgeable. Created a beautiful day and wonderful experience for our group

Review provided by Viator

Fulbrightprofessor

Feb 28, 2023

Worth it! - Sasuke did a truly spendid job. She picked wonderful destinations, explained them skillfully, helped me understand and kept me fascinated.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

140engy

Dec 4, 2022

Great! - There is so much to love about Japan. We decided to get a local English speaking tour guide to give us better insights about this beautiful country with fantastic people. We were lucky to get Sasuke who accomodated with our requests and made sure we were able to explore parts of Fukuoka based on our interests. She also shared about the Japanese way of life which was fascinating. For the tour, went to watch Sumo wrestlers practice at one of the temples and visited Uminonkamichi via ferry. Sasuke also taught us how to travel using bus because obviously we have no clue on how to use them. Highly recommended for those that need a crash course on how to move around Japan using their public transportation system, understand Japanese way of life and have an expert to get you to anywhere you want to go! Thanks Sasuke!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Anacv7208yr

Dec 3, 2022

Ms. Sasuke is exceptional - Ms. Sasuke is exceptional. She speaks very well in English. I felt like she was a mother to me during the tour and she’s very knowledgeable about it. She taught me what to do in a temple, gave me some treats, and very informative from beginning to end (even with transportations). I actually didn’t felt like I was in a tour, more of bonding with a friend or a mother. I also lost my phone but was able to find it back thanks to her. She even made sure that I rode the right train going back to the airport. I will definitely have her as my tour guide if I’ll come back. Very well recommended.. 100% or more than that if there’s any. Thank you so much Ms. Sasuke for the tour, it was an unforgettable one☺️

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Robert_h

Nov 29, 2022

The perfect guide - Our guide, Hiro Kariya, was beyond excellent. Her deep knowledge of the history and cultural context of Hakata is enhanced by her love of the city. A rare treat. (Thank you!)

Review provided by Viator

Walter_c