Hakata Old Town Walking Tour with Kyushu-French Fusion Dinner

Hakata, rich in history and culture, has developed from its shrines and temples, spreading diverse customs and food cultures to various regions. On this tour, customers will explore Hakata’s shrines and temples with an English-speaking guide, delving into Hakata’s lesser-known history. The tour concludes with a visit to Fukuoka’s latest gourmet spot. Here, customers will enjoy a lavish French dinner course at Goh, a new restaurant by one of Fukuoka’s top chefs. Goh, recognized as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, uses the finest ingredients from the Kyushu region. This sought-after restaurant is hard to book, but this tour includes a reservation for two customers per day!

The tour will pass through the Hakata Sennen-no Mon gate, the main gate to the 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. Feel free to explore Furusatokan which is made up of 3 buildings: the exhibition building, the townhouse building, and the souvenir building.

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.

Savor a French course dinner served table d’hôte style, where customers gather around a large table to enjoy their meal. The dishes served from the open kitchen are all original, combining carefully selected ingredients of the Kyushu region with French cuisine. Enjoy a special Fukuoka evening while taking in the night view of Nakasu.
*Guide accompaniment ends once customers have been led to their seats in the restaurant. The tour ends after customers finish enjoying the meal.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• 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
• Except during the meal at the restaurant, customers will be joining the regular walking tour. (Max. 10 customers per group)
• 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.
• This tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter (or an English-speaking tour conductor and local guide) from the meeting location until entry to Goh. *Guidance service ends upon entry to Goh. There is no accompaniment during dinner.
• Customers under 12 years of age are not permitted.
• This is a walking tour. Customers will be walking for the day’s entire itinerary (approx. 4 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 menu served at Goh will vary depending on seasonality and stock availability on the day. *Furthermore, vegetarian and allergy-friendly meals are not available (additional charges required for drinks at the location).

• Hakata Old Town Walking Tour with Kyushu-French Fusion Dinner
  Add

• Admission fee
• English-speaking guide
• Teacake charge at Mitsuyasu Seikaen Tea Leaf Shop
• Dinner charge at Restaurant Goh in the 010 Building

• Drinks charges at Restaurant Goh
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off
• Gratuities

Trending Fukuoka Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out

• 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 tour buses.

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.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 2 Travelers is accepted for booking.