Hakata Ward in Fukuoka City is a major metropolis that represents western Japan. Due to its proximity to Fukuoka Airport, one of the largest airports in Japan, Hakata is not only a popular tourist destination, but also an important gateway to other parts of Kyūshū.
In this article, we will introduce seven nightlife spots that you should definitely visit so you can enjoy Hakata at night.
Highlights and characteristics of Hakata at night
Fukuoka City, where Hakata is located, is the largest city in Kyūshū and is an international tourist city close to South Korea and China. As for night activities in Hakata, in addition to the night view and cruises that are unique to a big city, we also recommend enjoying food. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Hakata’s Yatai (food stalls) in particular are symbol of Hakata.
The characteristic of nightlife spots in Hakata lies in the lively atmosphere of the city, where you can enjoy a scenery distinct from other major cities like Tōkyō or Ōsaka, as well as the unique cuisine exclusive to Hakata.
Nightlife spots in Hakata
Recommended #1: Hakata Yatai Food Stalls
Speaking of Yatai Food Stalls, they are a typical sight of Hakata’s nightlife. The most famous places are the Yatai Food Stalls in the Nakasu and Tenjin areas, Hakata’s largest downtown areas, with around 70 food stalls opening every day in both areas.
Hakata Yatai Food Stalls offer not only Ramen and Yakitori, but also Oden, Tempura, dishes using Fukuoka’s famous Mentaiko, and even international cuisine such as French and Italian. A characteristic of Hakata Yatai Food Stalls is that you can enjoy a wide variety of cuisines, so be sure to try a variety of dishes at multiple food stalls.
The great thing about this is that all Yatai Food Stalls are open until midnight after 24:00, so you don’t have to worry about the time.
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| Official website | https://yokanavi.com/yatai/ |
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Recommended #2: Fukuoka Tower
Fukuoka Tower is a landmark tower with a height of 234 meters located along the coast on the west side of Hakata. The observation deck is located at 123 meters, and you can see the night view of Hakata from there.
It is open until 22:00 (last entry 21:30), so it is a recommended spot for a date night. The tower itself is also famous for its illuminations, which light up in various patterns depending on the season or anniversary. Therefore, you can enjoy just looking at Fukuoka Tower from up close without having to climb the observation deck.
When visiting Hakata as a couple, this is a must-see spot at night.
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| Official website | https://www.fukuokatower.co.jp |
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Recommended #3: Hakata Bay Cruise
Hakata Bay Cruise is a cruise tour organized by Nakagawa Water Bus. It is a popular spot because you can enjoy a relaxing view of the cityscape from Hakata Bay.
There are two tours every day, at 17:00 and 19:00, and the journey time is approximately 45 minutes.
You can bring your own food and drinks, moreover, drinks including alcohol are also sold. Therefore, we recommend having fun while drinking alcohol with your friends.
To participate in a cruise tour, it is best to make a reservation online in advance.
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| Official website | https://river-cruise.jp |
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In addition to Hakata Bay cruises, we also offer Nakasu cruises that take you around the night view of downtown Nakasu. This course takes approximately 30 minutes.
Recommended #4: ICHIRAN SOHONTEN (Main store)
ICHIRAN is a ramen chain restaurant that originated in Fukuoka. It is a famous store that has opened not only in Japan but also in New York and Hong Kong, so many people may be familiar with it. ICHIRAN’s ramen is a type of ramen called “Hakata ramen” and is characterized by its pork bone soup.
ICHIRAN has an order form where you can write down details such as the hardness of the noodles and the thickness of the soup. It is also recommended for those who are not good at Japanese, as you can make detailed customizations without having to talk to the staff. In addition, the counter seats are divided into sections for each person, making it a suitable system for enjoying ramen while concentrating on the taste.
ICHIRAN SOHONTEN is open 24 hours a day, so it’s a great place to finish off drinking.
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| Official website | https://ichiran.com/shop/kyushu/sohonten/ |
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Thanks to the counter seats separated by each person, you won’t have to worry about other customers watching you even if you’re eating ramen alone. If you’re going to eat ramen by yourself, ICHIRAN is definitely the place to go! In addition to the main store, there are other stores scattered throughout Hakata, so be sure to check them out.
Recommended #5: “Fukuoka Kirameki Course” of Fukuoka Open Top Bus
The Fukuoka Open Top Bus is a type of bus that has no roof and is perfect for sightseeing. There are various courses available, but the one we recommend for the evening is the “Fukuoka Kirameki Course”. This is a course that takes you around Hakata’s night view.
Starting in front of Fukuoka City Hall, the tour will take you around Hakata for approximately 80 minutes. It is unique in that it covers almost all of Hakata’s famous spots, such as Nakasu and Tenjin’s downtown areas, Fukuoka PayPay Dome, and Fukuoka Tower. It is recommended for families as you can have fun looking around while feeling the breeze that is unique to an open top.
On weekdays, one tour starts at 18:30, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, two tours start at 18:30 or 19:30. You can ride without a reservation, but you may not be able to ride depending on how crowded it is, so it is better to make a reservation in advance online or by phone.
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| Official website | https://fukuokaopentopbus.jp |
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Recommended #6: Marinoa City Skywheel
Skywheel is a 60m tall ferris wheel located at Marinoa City Fukuoka, an outlet mall along the coast near Hakata Bay. It is open until 21:00 and you can see the night view of Hakata from the seaside.
A recommended date course is to enjoy shopping and dining at Marinoa City Fukuoka, then ride the Skywheel and enjoy the romantic night view. One round takes about 12 minutes, which is a short time for couples, but it will be an unforgettable 12 minutes.
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| Official website | https://www.marinoacity.com/sp/shop/skywheel/ |
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Recommended #7: Ramen Stadium
Ramen Stadium is a food theme park located on the 5th floor of Canal City Hakata, a commercial complex adjacent to Nakasu. There are 8 ramen shops, and you can enjoy a variety of ramen, not just Hakata’s famous tonkotsu ramen.
Ramen Stadium employs a unique system in which each store competes for popularity, and stores with lower popularity are replaced. Therefore, all of the ramen sold at Ramen Stadium are highly recommended.
Since opening in 2001, 87 stores have competed for popularity. Let’s try the ramen that is the winner among them.
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| Official website | https://canalcity.co.jp/ra_sta/ |
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It’s open until 23:00, so if you want to eat ramen late at night, you can’t go wrong with Ramen Stadium. There are many different types of ramen, so you can choose according to your mood.
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