Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Kama (嘉麻市) in Fukuoka Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km), Nōso Hachimangū (5.6 km), Katsumori Kōen (6.3 km) and served by Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) via the regional hub at Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway). Set at 78 m elevation (33.5983°N, 130.7194°E), Kama offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hakata tonkotsu ramen (creamy pork-bone broth with thin straight noodles), Motsunabe (beef/pork offal & chive hotpot), Mizutaki (rich chicken hotpot) cuisine and exploring neighboring Keisen (桂川町) (4.5 km), Iizuka (飯塚市) (6 km), Itoda (糸田町) (8 km), Tagawa (田川市) (9.2 km).
Kama is located almost in the center of Fukuoka Prefecture. The Onga River flows through the central part of the city, and the southern part of the city is surrounded by the Chikushi Mountains, which are over 1,000 meters above sea level. The area of Kama was part of ancient Chikuzen Province, and was ruled by the Asakura clan during the Sengoku period. During the Edo Period, the area was under the control of Fukuoka Domain, whose rules, the Kuroda clan, established a subsidiary domain in what is now Asakura called Akizuki Domain. Within Fukuoka Prefecture, Kama (嘉麻市) serves as a city in Fukuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2006-03-27) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Nakasu & Tenjin open-air yatai food stalls, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine & Kyushu National Museum, Yanagawa canal punting boats, Mojiko Retro port in Kitakyushu, and Itoshima coast.
| Quick Fact | 2026/2027 Travel Reference for Kama (嘉麻市) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 嘉麻市 (Kama) |
| Top Local Landmarks | Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km) · Nōso Hachimangū (5.6 km) · Katsumori Kōen (6.3 km) · Daibu Haijitō Ato (7.8 km) · Oda Art Museum |
| Nearest Rail Station | Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) |
| Primary Regional Hub | Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway) (Capital: Fukuoka) |
| Prefecture & Region | Fukuoka Prefecture · Kyushu |
| Elevation & Coordinates | 78 m · 33.5983°N, 130.7194°E |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| IC Card & Rail Coverage | Suica / PASMO / ICOCA via Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway) · Shinkansen fares → |
| Local Food Specialties | Hakata tonkotsu ramen (creamy pork-bone broth with thin straight noodles), Motsunabe (beef/pork offal & chive hotpot), Mizutaki (rich chicken hotpot), Karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe) & Yanagawa unagi seiro-mushi |
| Administrative Status | City in Fukuoka Prefecture (Incorporated: 2006-03-27) |
| Area & Population | 135.18 km² (329/km²) · 44,431 residents |
What to See & Do in Kama (嘉麻市): Landmarks & Sights
Visitors exploring Kama (嘉麻市) from Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) at 78 m elevation (33.5983°N, 130.7194°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kama):
- Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kama (嘉麻市).
- Nōso Hachimangū (5.6 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kama (嘉麻市).
- Katsumori Kōen (6.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kama (嘉麻市).
- Daibu Haijitō Ato (7.8 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kama (嘉麻市).
- Oda Art Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Kama (嘉麻市).
- Primary Rail Gateway for Kama: Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) (connecting to Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway)).
Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kama
When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kama (嘉麻市) and Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Fukuoka Prefecture and Kyushu:
- Keisen (桂川町) — 4.5 km from Kama (Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Iizuka (飯塚市) — 6 km from Kama (Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Itoda (糸田町) — 8 km from Kama (Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Tagawa (田川市) — 9.2 km from Kama (Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Kawasaki (川崎町) — 9.3 km from Kama (Fukuoka Prefecture)
Getting to Kama & Getting Around
Train & hub access to Kama (嘉麻市) via Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km): 2h 28m from Shin-Osaka or 5h from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hakata; Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is a 5-minute subway ride from Hakata Station. From Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) to reach central Kama (33.5983°N, 130.7194°E).
- Local rail & IC cards at Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Fukuoka with Kama (嘉麻市) and neighboring Keisen, Iizuka, Itoda. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kama, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
- Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kama and continuing toward Keisen can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
- Driving & car rental around Kama: While Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) anchors public transit for Kama, picking up a rental car at Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway) makes it easy to link Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km) and Nōso Hachimangū (5.6 km) with nearby Keisen (桂川町) (4.5 km), Iizuka (飯塚市) (6 km), Itoda (糸田町) (8 km), Tagawa (田川市) (9.2 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.
What to Eat in Kama (嘉麻市) & Fukuoka
Dining near Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) and across Kama (嘉麻市) highlights the regional food culture of Fukuoka Prefecture and Kyushu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kama:
- Local specialty & terroir of Kama (嘉麻市): regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
- Hakata tonkotsu ramen (creamy pork-bone broth with thin straight noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kama (嘉麻市) and Fukuoka Prefecture.
- Motsunabe (beef/pork offal & chive hotpot) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kama (嘉麻市) and Fukuoka Prefecture.
- Mizutaki (rich chicken hotpot) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kama (嘉麻市) and Fukuoka Prefecture.
- Karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe) & Yanagawa unagi seiro-mushi — regional specialty enjoyed across Kama (嘉麻市) and Fukuoka Prefecture.
If you are dining in Kama (嘉麻市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km).
Where to Stay in Kama (嘉麻市)
Visitors staying overnight in Kama (嘉麻市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km), or base at major rail hubs in Fukuoka (Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway)) or neighboring Keisen, Iizuka, Itoda for quick train access into Kama. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.
Best Time to Visit Kama & Seasonal Highlights
Seasonal guide for Kama (嘉麻市, 78 m elevation at 33.5983°N, 130.7194°E): Late March–April for Maizuru Park cherry blossoms; July 1–15 for the thrilling Hakata Gion Yamakasa float race; year-round evening yatai street-food stalls.
Wider sightseeing across Fukuoka Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km) in Kama (嘉麻市) includes: Nakasu & Tenjin open-air yatai food stalls, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine & Kyushu National Museum, Yanagawa canal punting boats, Mojiko Retro port in Kitakyushu, and Itoshima coast.
Practical Travel Tips for Kama (嘉麻市)
- Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kama: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway) or Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) for local bus schedules to Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km) and walking maps of Kama (嘉麻市).
- Cash & ATMs in Kama: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kama accept foreign debit cards.
- Local dining hours in Kama: Around Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) and neighboring Keisen, Iizuka, Itoda, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to see and do in Kama (嘉麻市)?
Top local sights and scenic landmarks in and around Kama (嘉麻市) in Fukuoka Prefecture include Gokuraku Ji (3.5 km), Nōso Hachimangū (5.6 km), Katsumori Kōen (6.3 km), Daibu Haijitō Ato (7.8 km), Oda Art Museum. Visitors often combine sightseeing in Kama with side trips to neighboring Keisen (桂川町) (4.5 km), Iizuka (飯塚市) (6 km), Itoda (糸田町) (8 km), Tagawa (田川市) (9.2 km).
How do I get to Kama (嘉麻市) by train?
The nearest rail gateway for Kama (嘉麻市) is Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km), connected via the regional hub of Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway). 2h 28m from Shin-Osaka or 5h from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hakata; Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is a 5-minute subway ride from Hakata Station. Use our Shinkansen Fare Calculator to price bullet-train connections to Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway).
What local food should I eat in Kama and Fukuoka Prefecture?
When dining around Shimokamo’o Station (下鴨生駅) (2.0 km) in Kama (嘉麻市), look for Fukuoka Prefecture specialties including Hakata tonkotsu ramen (creamy pork-bone broth with thin straight noodles), Motsunabe (beef/pork offal & chive hotpot), Mizutaki (rich chicken hotpot), plus Karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe) & Yanagawa unagi seiro-mushi at local shokudo, izakaya, and station bento counters.
When is the best time to visit Kama (嘉麻市)?
Situated at 78 m elevation (33.5983°N, 130.7194°E) in Kyushu, Kama follows Fukuoka's seasonal calendar: Late March–April for Maizuru Park cherry blossoms; July 1–15 for the thrilling Hakata Gion Yamakasa float race; year-round evening yatai street-food stalls. Compare month-by-month weather in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: