FUKUOKA, JAPAN: Overview of the Area

 

GATEWAY TO JAPAN:

This large, commercial city was the gateway to the continent early in Japan’s history.  Dazaifu, to the south, the preeminent historical attraction of this area, was a fortified government outpost of the Nara and Heian courts.  In the 13th century, Mongol armadas sailed into Hakata Bay and twice attempted to invade Japan.  The Japanese fought desperately and both times were saved by violent typhoons.  The city’s tow names originated in the feudal era:  Hakata, on the east, was the merchants’ town, while Fukuoka, on the west, across the Nakagawa, was the castle lord’s town.  Today, Fukuoka is poised to reclaim its historic place as gateway to Asia, with plans for international air service and major conference facilities.

The center of town lies between JR Hakata station and Nishitetsu-Fukuoka station, where one boards the private line to Dazaifu, Kurume, and Yanagawa.  The two stations are linked by subway; get on near the south exit of Hakata station and take it to Tenjin station, which is about 100 meters north of Nishitetsu-Fukuoka station.

LONELY PLANET:

Fukuoka is the biggest city in Kyūshū, and a rising star in Japanese commerce and tourism. Once upon a time it was two separate towns – the lordly Fukuoka castle town to the west of the river Naka-gawa, and to the east, the common folks’ Hakata. When the two merged in 1889, the label Fukuoka was applied to both towns, but subsequent development has mainly been in Hakata and many residents still refer to the town that way. The airport is known as Fukuoka, the train station as Hakata.

Fukuoka has transformed itself over the last decade into one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan and internationalised cities. Seoul and Shanghai are among its nearest neighbours. Fukuoka’s most recent international aspirations include a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics – going up against Tokyo among others. Its attractions are contemporary rather than traditional, but they are still very much worth seeing, modern architecture in particular. Fukuoka is also renowned as a culinary centre and its vibrant nightlife is centered on the Nakasu, Daimyo and Tenjin districts.

Nationally the city is known for its ‘Hakata bijin’ (beautiful women), its feisty and much-loved baseball team the Daiei Hawks, and, most of all, Hakata rāmen (Chinese-style egg noodles in broth).

Bus

City bus services operate from the Kōtsū bus centre in Hakata and the Tenjin bus centre. Nishitetsu buses have a flat ¥100 rate for city-centre rides.

From stand E opposite JR Hakata station at the Kōtsū bus centre, bus 11 or 19 goes to Hakata Pier International Terminal (¥220), while bus 47 or 48 reaches Bayside Place for ferries to islands.

Subway

There are three subway lines in Fukuoka. The Kūkō (airport) line runs from Fukuoka domestic airport terminal to Meinohama station via Hakata, Nakasu-Kawabata and Tenjin stations. The Hakozaki line runs from Nakasu-Kawabata station to Kaizuka. The Nanakuma line runs from Tenjin-minami to Hashimoto. Fares around town start at ¥200; a one-day pass costs adult/child six to 11 ¥600/300. Trains run from 5.30am to 12.25am.

Local Currency

In Tenjin, the Citibank ATM is open 24 hours. Banks around JR Hakata station and Tenjin handle foreign exchange services.

There are more international ATMs on the basement level of Canal City, and in post offices around town.