Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県)
Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) is located in the Kyushu region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Fukuoka and primary transport gateway at Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway). Spanning 60 cities, towns, and villages, Fukuoka is renowned for 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.
| Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Kyushu · Capital: Fukuoka |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway) |
| Municipalities Covered | 60 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Fukuoka (福岡市), Kitakyushu (北九州市), Kurume (久留米市), Iizuka (飯塚市), Ōmuta (大牟田市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | 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 |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Fukuoka Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Fukuoka or planning regional day trips from Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway), these top municipalities in Fukuoka Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Fukuoka (福岡市) — Designated major city (pop. 1,588,924, 340.96 km²) served by Tenjinminami Station (天神南駅) (0.2 km); key local sights include Dazaifu & Ohori Park (大濠公園), Kushida Shrine & Hakata Old Town (櫛田神社), Fukuoka Castle Ruins & Maizuru Park (福岡城跡).
- Kitakyushu (北九州市) — Designated major city (pop. 940,978, 487.71 km²) served by Heiwadōri Station (平和通駅) (0.2 km); key local sights include Kokura Castle & Traditional Garden (小倉城), Mojiko Retro Historic Port District (門司港レトロ), Mount Sarakura Night View (皿倉山).
- Kurume (久留米市) — Core city (pop. 305,147, 229.84 km²) served by Kurume Station (久留米駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Bairin-ji, a main Zen Buddhist temple in Kyushu, Kōra taisha, ichinomiya of Chikugo Province, Kurume Castle.
- Iizuka (飯塚市) — City (pop. 132,208, 214.13 km²) served by Iizuka Station (飯塚駅) (2.0 km); key local sights include Chikuhō Coalfield Sites, Daibu temple ruins, National Historic Site, Nōso Hachimangū (1.1 km).
- Ōmuta (大牟田市) — City (pop. 127,474, 81.55 km²) served by Ōmuta Station (大牟田駅) (0.2 km); key local sights include Former Miike Coal Mine, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kugurizuka Kofun, National Historic Site, Haginoo Kofun, National Historic Site.
- Kasuga (春日市) — City (pop. 107,845, 14.15 km²) served by Kasuga Station (春日駅) (0.2 km); key local sights include Hihaizuka Kofun, National Historic Site, Suguokamoto Site, National Historic Site, Kasuga kōen (0.4 km).
How to get to Fukuoka Prefecture
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. Once at Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 60 municipalities in Fukuoka. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Fukuoka
When visiting cities across Fukuoka, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Hakata tonkotsu ramen (creamy pork-bone broth with thin straight noodles) — regional culinary specialty across Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県).
- Motsunabe (beef/pork offal & chive hotpot) — regional culinary specialty across Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県).
- Mizutaki (rich chicken hotpot) — regional culinary specialty across Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県).
- Karashi mentaiko (spicy cod roe) & Yanagawa unagi seiro-mushi — regional culinary specialty across Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県).
Best time to visit Fukuoka
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.
All 60 cities & municipalities in Fukuoka Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka 福岡市 | Designated major city | 1,588,924 | 340.96 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Kurume 久留米市 | Core city | 305,147 | 229.84 km² | City guide → |
| Ōmuta 大牟田市 | City | 127,474 | 81.55 km² | City guide → |
| Nōgata 直方市 | City | 57,319 | 61.78 km² | City guide → |
| Tagawa 田川市 | City | 50,484 | 54.52 km² | City guide → |
| Yanagawa 柳川市 | City | 72,798 | 76.90 km² | City guide → |
| Yame 八女市 | City | 60,114 | 482.44 km² | City guide → |
| Chikugo 筑後市 | City | 48,281 | 41.85 km² | City guide → |
| Ōkawa 大川市 | City | 38,266 | 33.61 km² | City guide → |
| Yukuhashi 行橋市 | City | 70,064 | 69.83 km² | City guide → |
| Buzen 豊前市 | City | 27,578 | 111.17 km² | City guide → |
| Nakagawa 那珂川市 | City | 50,004 | 74.95 km² | City guide → |
| Nakama 中間市 | City | 45,549 | 15.98 km² | City guide → |
| Kitakyushu 北九州市 | Designated major city | 940,978 | 487.71 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Ogōri 小郡市 | City | 58,460 | 45.50 km² | City guide → |
| Chikushino 筑紫野市 | City | 98,914 | 87.78 km² | City guide → |
| Kasuga 春日市 | City | 107,845 | 14.15 km² | City guide → |
| Ōnojō 大野城市 | City | 94,037 | 26.88 km² | City guide → |
| Munakata 宗像市 | City | 94,877 | 119.66 km² | City guide → |
| Dazaifu 太宰府市 | City | 68,561 | 29.58 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Koga 古賀市 | City | 57,084 | 42.11 km² | City guide → |
| Fukutsu 福津市 | City | 55,123 | 52.70 km² | City guide → |
| Ukiha うきは市 | City | 32,277 | 117.55 km² | City guide → |
| Miyawaka 宮若市 | City | 30,793 | 139.99 km² | City guide → |
| Asakura 朝倉市 | City | 57,881 | 246.73 km² | City guide → |
| Iizuka 飯塚市 | City | 132,208 | 214.13 km² | City guide → |
| Kama 嘉麻市 | City | 44,431 | 135.18 km² | City guide → |
| Miyama みやま市 | City | 42,219 | 105.12 km² | City guide → |
| Itoshima 糸島市 | City | 100,304 | 216.12 km² | City guide → |
| Yoshitomi 吉富町 | Town (町) | 7,018 | 5.72 km² | City guide → |
| Umi 宇美町 | Town (町) | 37,896 | 30.21 km² | City guide → |
| Tachiarai 大刀洗町 | Town (町) | 15,541 | 22.84 km² | City guide → |
| Soeda 添田町 | Town (町) | 10,898 | 132.2 km² | City guide → |
| Shingū 新宮町 | Town (町) | 28,349 | 18.93 km² | City guide → |
| Ōtō 大任町 | Town (町) | 5,537 | 151.34 km² | City guide → |
| Ōki 大木町 | Town (町) | 14,601 | 18.44 km² | City guide → |
| Okagaki 岡垣町 | Town (町) | 32,561 | 48.64 km² | City guide → |
| Mizumaki 水巻町 | Town (町) | 29,440 | 11.01 km² | City guide → |
| Kurate 鞍手町 | Town (町) | 17,061 | 35.6 km² | City guide → |
| Kotake 小竹町 | Town (町) | 8,369 | 14.28 km² | City guide → |
| Kawasaki 川崎町 | Town (町) | 18,642 | 36.14 km² | City guide → |
| Kawara 香春町 | Town (町) | 12,031 | 44.5 km² | City guide → |
| Kasuya 粕屋町 | Town (町) | 44,636 | 14.13 km² | City guide → |
| Chikuzen 筑前町 | Town (町) | 29,502 | 67.1 km² | City guide → |
| Onga 遠賀町 | Town (町) | 19,633 | 11.01 km² | City guide → |
| Ashiya 芦屋町 | Town (町) | 14,911 | 11.6 km² | City guide → |
| Hisayama 久山町 | Town (町) | 8,355 | 37.44 km² | City guide → |
| Sasaguri 篠栗町 | Town (町) | 31,608 | 38.93 km² | City guide → |
| Shime 志免町 | Town (町) | 45,700 | 8.69 km² | City guide → |
| Sue 須恵町 | Town (町) | 27,234 | 16.31 km² | City guide → |
| Keisen 桂川町 | Town (町) | 14,087 | 20.14 km² | City guide → |
| Tōhō 東峰村 | Village (村) | 2,412 | 51.97 km² | City guide → |
| Hirokawa 広川町 | Town (町) | 19,893 | 37.94 km² | City guide → |
| Chikujō 築上町 | Town (町) | 19,882 | 119.61 km² | City guide → |
| Fukuchi 福智町 | Town (町) | 24,452 | 42.06 km² | City guide → |
| Itoda 糸田町 | Town (町) | 9,599 | 8.04 km² | City guide → |
| Kanda 苅田町 | Town (町) | 36,178 | 48.98 km² | City guide → |
| Kōge 上毛町 | Town (町) | 7,976 | 62.44 km² | City guide → |
| Miyako みやこ町 | Town (町) | 21,228 | 151.34 km² | City guide → |
| Aka 赤村 | Village (村) | 3,373 | 31.98 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県)?
Top highlights across Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) in Japan's Kyushu region include 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. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Fukuoka include Fukuoka (福岡市), Kitakyushu (北九州市), Kurume (久留米市), Iizuka (飯塚市), Ōmuta (大牟田市).
How do I get to Fukuoka Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Fukuoka Prefecture is Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway) (prefectural capital: Fukuoka). 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. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Fukuoka Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県) include 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—served at station restaurants around Hakata Station (Sanyo & Kyushu Shinkansen) & Fukuoka Airport (FUK, 5m by subway), local morning markets, and izakaya in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu.
When is the best time of year to visit Fukuoka Prefecture?
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. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.