Hakata Old Town Walking Tour Tracing the True History of Fukuoka

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 uiro, a local sweet treat.
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.

The tour will pass through the Hakata Sennen-no Mon gate on the way to Joten-ji Temple.

Jotenji Temple is famous for being the origin of Hakata’s famous summer festival, Hakata Gion Yamakasa, as well as a range of Japanese food culture. Check out the stone monuments signifying the birthplace of udon noodles, soba noodles, manju buns, Hakata-ori textile, and Yamakasa festival, as well as the Buddhist temple.

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.

Amidst the quaint interior of this tea shop, enjoy uiro, a Japanese sweet originating from Fukuoka, and kabusecha, a type of green tea which has little bitterness and is rich in umami, from Yame.

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.

• 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. Also, participants may join only from the meeting location specified in advance.
• Depending on road conditions and physical stamina of tour participants, arrival time at each location may be considerably delayed. Furthermore, there may be changes to the itinerary.
• Due to circumstances of the shrines/temples listed in the itinerary, entry may not be possible. In this case, the tour will be led to alternative destination(s) which will be notified to customers on the day. Alternative Destinations: Waka Hachimangu Shrine, Myoraku-ji Temple, Engaku-ji Temple, Ryugu-ji Temple.
• Refunds will not be issued in case the tour visits aforementioned alternative destinations
• Children 0-5 years old may join free of charge, but seating and teacake charge at Mitsuyasu Seikaen Chaho are not included for them. If preferred, please make a booking under the child rate.
• This is a walking tour. Customers will be walking for the day’s entire itinerary (approx. 3 km). Please participate in an outfit easy to walk in.
• Customers who prefer to use public transportation partway through the tour must shoulder the required fare.
• The total walking time between each visiting spot will be approximately one hour.
• Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour.

• Hakata Old Town Walking Tour Tracing the True History of Fukuoka
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• English-speaking guide
• Teacake charge at Mitsuyasu Seikaen Tea Leaf Shop
• Admission fee

• Fees other than those listed in Includes

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• If you have arrived at the pickup location but have trouble finding the meeting point, you can call the local operator JTB Sunrise Tours on +81 3 5796 5454 (Operated between 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Japan time) for assistance.
• In case bookings have been made separately, you may be assigned to be on separate groups.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc..
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Tokyo.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 5 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 10 Travelers is accepted for booking.