Deciding where to stay in Fukuoka can be tricky. Comprised of two towns on each side of the harbour, Fukuoka is a sprawling modern city that’s grown to become the eighth-largest metro area in Japan. The castle town of Fukuoka and the Hakata merchant town combined in 1889, creating two distinct sides of the city.
If you’re travelling to Japan and want to avoid the crowded streets of Tokyo, Osaka or Yokohama, Fukuoka provides a nice alternative.
It’s smaller compared to the megapolises, but it still offers the amenities of a typical modern Japanese city. Fukuoka has large commercial districts with massive malls and endless options for dining or entertainment. Along with the modern features, Fukuoka keeps in touch with its past, maintaining many shrines and temples.
Not sure where to look? Get your accommodation search started with this guide to the best places to stay in Fukuoka, Japan!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Japan Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Fukuoka
Fukuoka contains seven wards, each with its own distinct offerings. The wards are connected via trains, buses, and subways, providing convenient transportation between attractions.
Depending on what you want to see and do in Fukuoka, you may prefer to stay in one ward over another. In the main downtown sections of Fukuoka, you’ll find the major commercial areas of the city. This includes a large underground mall and a nightlife hub.
The former town of Hakata provides access to the city’s main religious and cultural sites. The area also has plenty of green spaces, filled with parks and gardens.
Most of the wards border the harbour, ensuring you can reach the waterfront attractions and beaches no matter where you stay.
The best areas to stay in Fukuoka are:
- Chuo Ward
- Hakata Ward
- Sawara Ward
- Higashi Ward
Chuo Ward
✔ Best area to stay in Fukuoka for sightseeing and shopping
The Chuo Ward is the most popular choice for first-time travellers. Staying in this area places you closer to some of the top attractions in Fukuoka.
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As the main administrative centre and home to the two main downtown areas, Chuo Ward offers plenty of shopping, seafood, and sightseeing.
The two main areas of Chuo Ward include the Tenjin downtown area and Daimyo. The ward includes the Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the city’s art museum, and a massive sports complex.
One of the more interesting sites is the Tenjin Underground City. The large shopping centre includes multiple underground levels, housing hundreds of stores. It’s a shopper’s paradise.
Near the underground mall, you’ll find Oyafuko-Dori. Known as the city’s nightlife district, the area has a wide variety of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants open during all hours of the day and night.
While Chuo Ward is heavily developed, it also includes sprawling parks where you can get away from the traffic and modern buildings. Ohori Park is the perfect spot to stretch your legs and take a stroll around part of the city.
Attractions in & around the Chuo Ward: Tenjin Underground City, Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka Yafuoku Dome, and Nagahama Fish Market.
Recommended hotels in Chuo
Chuo Ward includes some of the best hotels in Fukuoka. As the area technically includes two major downtowns, Chuo ward provides accommodations for every type of traveller. Enjoy a stay in a boutique-style hotel near the parks or a resort near the beach.
- Richmond Hotel Tenjin Nishi-Dori: This hotel is inside the Tenjin district and about two kilometres from Fukuoka Castle. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, breakfast, and friendly staff. The interior of the hotel has a futuristic vibe, thanks to the spacious lobby and minimalist décor.
- Mizuka Imaizumi 3 Unmanned Hotel: If you prefer your privacy, you may enjoy a stay at an unmanned hotel. At this location, you can check in and check out using computer screens, eliminating the need for human interaction. The rooms are small, but the location is great. You’re just a short walk from Tenjin Station.
- Nishitetsu Grand Hotel: This hotel also offers compact rooms and a convenient location. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the entertainment district and a short drive from Ohori Park. The hotel also offers eight different dining options and a bakery with freshly baked goods in the morning.
Hakata Ward
✔ Best neighborhood to stay in Fukuoka for culture and scenery
For a complete Fukuoka itinerary, you need to visit Higashi Park and the giant wooden Buddha statue at Tochoji Temple. You can visit both sites when staying in the Hakata Ward.
This ward is known for containing most of the cultural sites and many of the best things to do in Fukuoka. You can find dozens of temples and shrines, along with the historic Hakata Sennen-no-Mon Gate.
Hakata was originally a separate city. In fact, it’s one of the oldest cities in Japan. It was a merchant city that eventually merged with neighbouring Fukuoka in the late 1800s.
When the cities merged, residents voted on the name. Half chose Hakata and half chose Fukuoka. Ultimately, the local government decided on Fukuoka.
Hakata Ward is known as the traditional centre for the manufacturing of Hakata ningyo dolls. These traditional Japanese dolls are popular throughout the country and continue to come from the region.
The region also has a musical legacy as the home of Mentai Rock. The musical genre spawned the creation of many J-pop idols in the early 1980s and has recently experienced a revival.
Attractions in & around the Hakata Ward: Tochoji Temple, Higashi Park, Fukuoka City Aquarium, Hakata Sennen-no-Mon Gate, Sofuku Temple, Reisen Park, Canal City
Recommended hotels in Hakata
Hakata offers a wide range of hotels, including several options right near Fukuoka Airport and Hakata Station. The diverse selection includes everything from three-star hotels to luxury resorts and traditional Japanese inns.
- Hotel WBF Grande Hakata: As one of the highest-rated hotels in Fukuoka, this hotel strives to deliver exceptional customer service. The staff is incredibly helpful, providing directions or dining recommendations. You’re also a short walk from Hakata Station, making it easy to venture out and explore the city.
- Hotel Okura Fukuoka: Located in the heart of the Hakata ward, this luxury hotel provides guests with 10 different dining options. You also get access to an indoor pool and an onsite microbrewery. For a five-star hotel, the rates are surprisingly reasonable, so book early as rooms fill up quickly.
- Grand Hyatt Fukuoka: If you enjoy shopping, this five-star hotel has you covered. It’s housed inside the Canal City, the massive commercial complex and top Fukuoka attraction. The hotel also offers spacious rooms decorated in relaxing warm tones.
Sawara Ward
✔ Top-rated area in Fukuoka for seafood and beaches
As with most of the major wards, Sawara Ward borders the harbour. It’s also home to one of the most popular beaches and seaside parks.
Tourists tend to stay in this area for access to the beaches and the great dining options along the waterfront.
Sawara is home to Momochihama Beach and Momochi Seaside Park. The park was originally developed for the 1989 Asia Pacific Expo. It includes futuristic buildings, tree-lined streets, public parks, and no visible electrical lines or phone lines above ground.
The area is packed with commercial development, offering access to dozens of shops and restaurants. It also includes several of the top attractions in Fukuoka.
During a stay in the Sawara, you can visit the 234-metre-tall Fukuoka Tower. The tower includes an observation deck with great views of the city.
After climbing down from the tower, you can take in a baseball game at Fukuoka Yafuoku Dome or examine culturally significant artifacts at Fukuoka City Museum.
Along with these reasons to stay in Sawara, the area also includes some of the best seafood restaurants in the city (and possibly the country).
Attractions in & around the Sawara Ward: Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka Yafuoku Dome, Fukuoka City Museum, Momochihama Beach, and Momochi Seaside Park.
Recommended hotels in Sawara Ward
Sawara has lots of apartments and traditional Japanese inns. If you’re only visiting for a few days and want a private bathroom, the area does include a few hotels. The available options are all right by the beach and near Chuo.
- Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk: With views of the bay, an outdoor pool, and an indoor fitness centre, this luxurious hotel is a popular choice in Sawara. It’s near the water, allowing you to walk out the front doors and quickly reach Fukuoka Tower or any of the other nearby attractions.
- The Residential Suites Fukuoka: This stylish hotel offers a variety of rooms to suit any taste. You can choose from carpeted or wooden floors, rooms with balconies, and accommodations with complete kitchenettes. It’s also just a short walk from the Fukuoka City Museum.
- Hotel New Gaea Domemae: While it’s not the highest-rated hotel, it provides a convenient spot for exploring the city. The hotel is about a mile from Fukuoka Tower and a few blocks from Chuo. It’s a three-star hotel with decently sized rooms and a coin-operated laundrette.
Higashi Ward
✔ Recommended district for aquariums and seaside resorts
As the easternmost ward, Higashi Ward is a little further from the downtown areas and the crowded tourist spots. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy time near the harbour.
The Higashi Ward area includes many waterfront attractions, as the land features numerous small peninsulas. In fact, you’re never more than a few city blocks from the water.
A portion of the ward stretches out into the bay, with a large artificial island at the tip.
Island City is a modern eco-friendly neighbourhood built to extend the port functions of the harbour. It also houses several futuristic-looking parks featuring raised walkways winding around the botanical gardens.
Other highlights include Kashii Kaen, a compact theme park near the water with rides and a Ferris wheel, and a large city aquarium with a diverse selection of marine life.
Of course, this ward also has its own selection of shrines and temples to visit. Hakozaki Shrine is one of the more popular religious sites in the city, featuring iconic antiquities and well-preserved gates.
Attractions in & around the Higashi Ward: Island City, Marine World, Shika Island, Hakozaki Shrine, Kashii Kaen, Kashigu, and Shikaumi Shrine
Recommended hotels in Higashi
Higashi doesn’t have a large selection of hotels. Several of the options are near the border with Hakata. If you want to explore Island City, the artificial island has its own resort.
- The Luigans Spa and Resort: As the only resort on Island City, this spot fills up quickly. It also has an outdoor swimming pool, dining options, and spa treatments. Many of the rooms offer ocean views and their own balconies. If you want to relax and unwind near the beach, this is a top choice.
- Vessel Hotel Fukuoka Kaizuka: Located near the harbour, this three-star hotel helps you feel at home, thanks to an abundance of amenities. Your room includes a DVD player, nightwear, toothbrush sets, a desk, and a fridge. You’re also just a five-minute walk from JR Kaizuka Train Station.
- Fukuoka Recent Hotel: This three-star hotel offers a wide selection of rooms at different rates, ranging from single rooms with sofa beds to Japanese-style rooms with futon beds. It also has its own onsite restaurant.
- Hotel Guell Hakata: This hotel sits right near the border with Hakata. If you want to stay in the neighbouring ward, but can’t find any vacancies, give this hotel a try. Besides a convenient location, it offers stylish, spacious rooms.
