Hakata Old Town Walking Tour Tracing the True History of Fukuoka
- 3h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
Explore Hakata's rich history and diverse culture with our guided tour. Known for its flourishing trade with the Asian Continent, Hakata has developed a unique blend of customs, traditions, and food cultures. Our English-speaking guide will take you on a journey through Hakata's revered shrines and temples, offering insights into its lesser-known history. The tour includes a visit to the 300-year-old Mitsuyasu Seikaen Tea Leaf Shop, where you can savor kabusecha, a type of green tea from Yame, a renowned tea-producing region in Fukuoka, and local Japanese confectionery. After a brief rest, we'll continue to Hakatamachiya Furusatokan to experience Fukuoka's deeply-rooted lifestyle and customs. The tour concludes with a visit to the cherished Kushida Shrine, a local favorite. Join us for an immersive journey into Hakata's past and present.
Inclusions
What's included
- English-speaking guide
- Teacake charge at Mitsuyasu Seikaen Tea Leaf Shop
- Admission fee
What's not
- Fees other than those listed in Includes
Itinerary
Duration: [2025] 15 mins [2026] 30 mins. On the way to Tocho-ji Temple, customers will take a stroll through the Hakata Old Town area. The tour will stop at Sennen-no-Mon, a welcome gate in Hakata Old Town where many historical cultural heritage sites remain, as well as Joten-ji Temple which is the birthplace of Hakata Gion Yamakasa, the iconic summer festival of Hakata.
Duration: [2025] 20 mins [2026] 40mins. This temple's five-story pagoda is cherished by the locals as a new symbol of Hakata. The Fukuoka Daibutsu (Great Buddha) in the temple grounds is Japan’s biggest wooden seated statue of Gautama Buddha. This cypress wood statue is 10.8 meters tall and weighs 30 tons. In the pedestal of the Gautama Buddha statue lies The Hell and Pure Land Tour which signifies "experience the world of the dead, return back to life, and let go of impurities and worries." The Daishi-do hall, five-story pagoda, Kuroda clan graveyard, main hall (outside only), Rokkaku-do hall 'Fukuoka Daibutsu' and 'The Hell and Pure Land Tour' will also be visited.
Duration: [2025] 40 mins [2026] 30 mins. Amidst the quaint interior of this tea shop, enjoy local Japanese confectionery and kabusecha, a type of green tea which has little bitterness and is rich in umami, from Yame.
Duration: [2025] 25 mins [2026] 40 mins. Inside this building, which is replica of a traditional Hakata townhouse, various exhibits introducing Hakata's annual events, handicrafts, and the good old days of Fukuoka life are on display. Here, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of local culture and history.
Having the oldest history as Hakata’s tutelary shrine, Kushida Shrine is where the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival is offered, and kazariyama floats are displayed all year round. Fondly called “Okushida-san” by the locals, this is where Hakata’s local Shinto deities are enshrined.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 516
- 40
- 31
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 17 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meeting Time: [2025]2:20PM [2026]12:00PM. Meet in front of Fukuoka City Tourist Information Center (Hakata Station General Information Center) in the middle of JR Hakata Station concourse.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that participants may not join partway through the tour. Customers who are late for the departure time will have their reservations canceled
How it compares in Fukuoka
- Its from-price is 71% above the median of the 337 experiences we list in Fukuoka.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 21 of 337.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Fukuoka
Fukuoka, on the north coast of Kyushu, is a relaxed port city of temples, riverside food stalls and ramen, facing Korea across the sea.
Fukuoka is the biggest city on Kyushu, formed from two old towns, the merchant port of Hakata and the castle town of Fukuoka, on either side of the Naka River. Hakata keeps temples such as Tochoji, with a large wooden seated Buddha, and Shofukuji, said to be Japan's first Zen temple, founded in 1195. The ruins of Fukuoka Castle lie beside Ohori Park, with its large lake and walkways.
Top-ranked sights in Fukuoka: Ohori Park, Kushida Shrine, Dazaifu Tenmangu.
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