Hakata’s tutelary shrine, founded in 757. Grounds are free and open about 4:00–22:00. A decorated Yamakasa festival float stands year-round near the gate. Subway Kuko Line to Gion, Exit 2, then four minutes west along Meiji-dori. Walk this order. Stone torii and main gate → year-round Yamakasa float → main hall and spirit spring → side courtyards → exit toward the folk museum across the street.

Three buildings facing Kushida: exhibition hall, restored machiya townhouse, and shop. Adult entry to the exhibition building is about ¥200. Open 10:00–18:00; closed the fourth Monday of the month. Live Hakata-ori weaving and doll demos on many days. Walk this order. Exhibition hall → machiya interior and garden → craft workshop floor → shop → out toward Tochoji along Meiji-dori.

Kyushu’s oldest Shingon temple, founded by Kukai in 806. The seated wooden Fukuoka Daibutsu is 10.8 metres. Grounds and pagoda are free to view; the hall and the short heaven-and-hell tunnel under the statue take a small cash fee. Open about 9:00–17:00 daily. Five-storey pagoda is visible from the street. Walk this order. Pagoda and gate → main hall and Great Buddha → tunnel if you want it → cemetery and side halls → continue north-east toward Shofukuji.

Japan’s first Zen temple, founded by Eisai in 1195. Grounds are free. Walk the Sanmon gate, the old Hakata-bei clay walls, and the quiet courtyard. Halls are usually closed to casual visitors; the walk itself is the visit. Walk this order. Approach and Sanmon → clay walls → main courtyard → side paths back toward Kawabata and the river.

Floors 7–8 of Hakata Riverain. Dedicated to modern and contemporary Asian art. Building entry is free; the Asia Gallery collection is about ¥200. Galleries 9:30–18:00, later on Friday and Saturday. Closed Wednesdays and 26 Dec–1 Jan. One minute from Nakasu-Kawabata subway. Walk this order. Riverain lobby and lifts → Asia Gallery → special exhibition rooms → art cafe and shop → drop back to street level toward Canal City.

Covered shopping complex built around a canal and a timed fountain show. Shops, cinema, Ramen Stadium, and the canal walk are free. Fountain shows run through the day; evenings are the busiest. Easy from Canal City Hakata-mae buses or a short walk from Nakasu-Kawabata / Gion. Walk this order. Canal court and fountain → upper galleries → Ramen Stadium if you want lunch → south exits toward Tenjin or the subway west to Ohori.

Central park laid out on a former Fukuoka Castle moat. Free 2 km waterside loop, islands, and a paid Japanese garden. Subway Kuko Line to Ohori-koen. Combine with Maizuru Park castle ruins if you have extra time. Walk this order. South gate from the station → pond loop clockwise → Japanese garden if open → island bridges → north-west toward a bus or taxi for Momochi.

Japan’s tallest seaside tower at 234 metres. Observation deck at 123 m. Open 9:30–22:00, last entry 21:30. Adult ticket about ¥800–¥1,000; closed two days in late June. Nishitetsu buses to Fukuoka Tower / Fukuoka Tower Minami-guchi. Walk this order. Plaza and mirrored facade → ticket hall → observation deck circuit → sunset or night lights if you stay late → steps down to the beach park.

Reclaimed beach in front of the tower. Free boardwalk, sand, and Marizon pier. Open around the clock for walking; shops and showers keep shorter hours. Summer swimming; year-round views back to the tower and across Hakata Bay. Walk this order. Tower plaza to the sand → boardwalk west → Marizon pier → look back at the tower → bus 302/312 toward Noko Tosenba if you are going on to the island.

Flower island in Hakata Bay. Ferry from Noko Tosenba takes about 10 minutes. Island Park is the usual goal: seasonal blooms and bay views. Park hours about 9:00–17:30, later on Sundays. Adult park entry about ¥1,500. Last ferry back is early evening — check the board before you climb the hill. Get there. Nishitetsu bus 302 or 312 from Fukuoka Tower Minami-guchi to Noko Tosenba. Buy the ferry ticket at the pier. Walk this order. Ferry deck view of the city → landing and local bus or walk up → Island Park terraces and seasonal fields → lookout over the Genkai side → return ferry to the city.