RugbyPass' World Cup City guide to Fukuoka

The Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is the ninth most populated prefecture in Japan, and one of the nations most outstanding in terms of natural beauty and culture. Fukuoka is seen as a natural gateway prefecture to Kyushu for both commerce and visitors alike.

Hakata Station – Fukuoka 

With access to both the city of Fukuoka and the airport servicing the city, Hakata Station will be the first port of call for many visitors to the area over the span of the Rugby World Cup. The station was first opened in 1889 but was rebuilt in 2011. It is the largest and busiest station in Kyushu and will act as a gateway to other cities in the province for travelling rugby fans. 

Fukuoka City – Fukuoka

The bustling economic hub of Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture. It is Japan’s fifth-largest city and the largest city in Kyushu. A city famous for its temples and shrines, it is where you find Hakatanomori Football Stadium, which will host Ireland versus Samoa on the 12th of October, as well as pool games involving France, Italy, Canada, and the USA.  

Kushida Shrine – Fukuoka

Even in a city known for its shrines, Kushida Shrine stands out. Right in the heart of the city, the Kushida Shrine is renowned for the central role it plays in the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. 

Futamigaura – Fukuoka

Futumigaura is located in the northern part of Itoshima City, it is also selected as one of Japan’s 100 most Beautiful Beaches and Meotoiwa (Rock Couples) stands approximately 150 meters from the seafront.

It has been revered as a sacred place as part of the Sakurai Shrine since ancient times, and it is covered with a 30-meter long, 1-ton heavy lanyard.

The sea and the setting sun are beautiful, and the setting sun that sinks between the two rocks on the day of the summer solstice attracts tourists.

Sunigoya Brewery – Fukuoka

The home of Suginoya Beer, this microbrewery is known for its ales and stouts. A craft beer brewery located in Fukuoka city, the brewery started life out as an off-shoot from a sake distillery that opened for business back in 1870. 

Mataichi-no-shio – Fukuoka 

Just outside Fukuoka city, Mataichi-no-shio is home to specialty salt that is made using a mixture of rich minerals found in mountains and the ocean of the Itoshima Peninsula. It is produced in a tranquil factory on the coast that is a must for salt enthusiasts. You can also enjoy a dip in the nearby swimming area nestled beneath Genkai Quasi-National Park. 

Peace Park – Nagasaki 

Nagasaki Peace Park is an important park located in Nagasaki, commemorating the harrowing events that saw the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945, by Allied forces.  

At its north end is the Peace Statue created by sculptor Seibo Kitamura of Nagasaki Prefecture, while visitors can see what remains of the original Urakami Cathedral, which stood just 500 metres from the epicentre from where the nuclear bomb detonated. A sombre reminder of the perils of war and, indeed, violence, it is next to the Atomic Bomb Museum and near the Peace Memorial Hall.

Glover Garden – Nagasaki

In close proximity to the Peace Park (above) is Glover Garden. The garden was built by Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who contributed to the modernization of Japan in shipbuilding and coal mining. The Glover Residence at its centre is the oldest Western-style house surviving in Japan and remains to this day Nagasaki’s foremost tourist attraction.

Oura Tenshudo – Nagasaki

Next to Glover Garden is the Oura Tenshudo – or ‘Oura Church’. Also known as ‘The Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan’, the church was built in 1864, soon after the end of the Japanese government’s Seclusion Policy in 1853. Two French priests constructed the church in memory of 26 martyrs who were killed in the 16th century. 

Ouo Shrine AKA Torii in the Sea – Saga

This is an underwater ‘floating’ torii gate which can be found in the Ariake Sea, in the Saga Prefecture. Situated beside the town of Tara-cho, it is a town famed as a place to witness the full power of the moon. A massive 6-metre tide difference has made this one of the prefecture’s most popular tourist destinations. 

Yutoki Inari Shrine – Saga

The Yutoku Inari Shrine is found in Kashima City, in the southern Saga Prefecture. It is considered one of Japan’s top three shrines dedicated to Inari – the Shinto spirit of sake, rice agriculture and industry. Founded in 1687, the atmospheric Yutoku Inari Shrine is built into the steep hillside of a valley, which will mean a 10 minute uphill climb for visiting rugby fans. 

Hizen Hamashuku – Saga 

Hizen Hamashuku is a group of historic buildings standing at the mouth of Hamagawa River. If Sake tasting and restaurants are your main ‘to-dos’ in Japan, than Hizen Hamashuku is the perfect spot for you.

Dazaifu Shrine – Fukuoka 

Among the hundreds of Tenmangu Shrines throughout Japan, Dazaifu is arguably the most important one. Tenmangu Shrines are dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician.  Located just 250 meters from Dazaifu Station, and the entire length of the approach is lined with shops that will cater to rugby fans eager to find the perfect souvenir from this remarkable reliquary. 

Yanagawa River tour – Fukuoka 

Known as the ‘Venice of Fukuoka’ – the town of Yanagawa can be found just 50 minutes from Tenjin by train. Here you can relax and unwind with a River tour. The town is surrounded by a network of moats and it is here that small boats weave their way through along the river banks, stopping at points of interest and at local hostelries where rugby fans can enjoy the best local food and drink.

Asahi Beer factory Fukuoka

Kirin Beer factory Fukuoka

Yuda Onsen Sake Festival

Under trial ticket (free) application acceptance!

TAGAWA COAL MINE FESTIVAL

Under the experience course acceptance here! (with a coordinator companion)

Saga pref.

2019 SAGA INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA

Under special experience menu acceptance here!

A dedicated application page will be posted from August 5th.

Nagasaki pref.

YOSAKOI SASEBO FESTIVAL

Under the experience course acceptance here! (with a coordinator companion)

Access to Fukuoka City
Hakata Station 6 minutes by subway from Fukuoka Airport
Kushida Shrine(1-41 Kami-kawabata) 15 minutes on foot from Hakata
Station

If you want to go sightseeing in Fukuoka city
Hakata Historical Sightseeing Tour

Sights: Tocho temple, Shofuku Temple, Kushida Shrine, Furusato Museum,
Kawabata Arcade, Canal City Hakata

You can experience full of emotion, such as Hakata Japanese garden and the historic temples and shrines in Hakata had a role as a gateway to mainland exchanges.

Itoshima Area
Futamigaura(Rock?Couples) Shima Sakurai, Itoshima-shi,
Suginoya(Sake & beer brewery) 1442 motooka, nishi-ku, fukuoka-shi
Mataichi-no-shio(Salt Factory) 3757 shimakeya, itoshima-shi

Dazaifu
Dazaifu Sightseeing Tour

Sights: Komyozen Temple, Dazaifu Shrine

Yanagawa

Yanagawa river cruise & fruit picking tour 

Sights: Yanagawa river cruise, lunch in Yanagawa, fruit picking

Nagasaki Pref.
Nagasaki Peace Park 9 matsuyama-cho, nagasaki-shi
Glover Garden Nagasaki 8th No. 1 Minamiyamatecho, nagasaki-shi
Oura Church(Basilica) 5-3 Minamiyamate-machi,?nagasaki-shi

Saga Pref.
Ouo Shrine 10 minutes walk from JR Tara Station
Yutoku Inari Shrine About a 1-hour express train trip from Hakata Station to Hizen Kashima Station (JR Nagasaki Main Line). About a 10-minute taxi trip from Hizen Kashima Station to the Yutoku Inari Shrine
Hizen Hamashuku It takes about 6 minutes to walk from Hizen-Hama station.