How should I divide five days between Fukuoka and nearby cities?
With five days, you can explore Fukuoka at a relaxed pace or visit cities such as Nagasaki, Yufuin and Beppu. Decide whether to return the same day or stay overnight, then arrange your dates around accommodation bookings and your departing flight.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days / 4 nights
Five days in Fukuoka: separate days for the aquarium and Dazaifu
Arrive at the international terminal, stay four nights near Hakata and leave in the afternoon or later on day 5. Spend one day on city walks, with separate days for Uminonakamichi by JR and Dazaifu by Nishitetsu. Dazaifu is outside Fukuoka City. If you stay in Tenjin, check the departure stations and evening return routes against your accommodation address.
Five days in Fukuoka: separate days for the aquarium and Dazaifu →5 days / 4 nights BCity sights, Momochi and Marine World
Choose this for beach walks, coastal views from above and the aquarium. Spend separate days on city exhibits, Momochi and Marine World.
City sights, Momochi and Marine World →5 days / 4 nights CCity sights, Momochi and Dazaifu
Choose this for coastal views and a walk along a shrine approach. Visit city exhibits first, Momochi the next day and Dazaifu the day after.
City sights, Momochi and Dazaifu →Five days in Fukuoka: separate days for the aquarium and Dazaifu
Arrive at the international terminal, stay four nights near Hakata and leave in the afternoon or later on day 5. Spend one day on city walks, with separate days for Uminonakamichi by JR and Dazaifu by Nishitetsu. Dazaifu is outside Fukuoka City. If you stay in Tenjin, check the departure stations and evening return routes against your accommodation address.
Day 1 · International arrivals → Hakata → old town
- International terminal → Hakata Station
Take the free shuttle from Level 1 of the international terminal, stop 5, to the south side of the domestic terminal. Descend through entrance 1A or 1B and take the Airport Line to Hakata. The official airport guide’s roughly 10-minute shuttle ride and two-stop subway trip exclude immigration, luggage collection and waiting for the shuttle.
- Hakata accommodation → Kushida Shrine
Leave your luggage at your accommodation, then explore around Kushida Shrine or eat near Hakata Station. Avoid a longer journey if you arrive late. Since you’ll use JR on day 3, check the walk from your accommodation to the JR gates at Hakata.
Fukuoka City tourism: Kushida Shrine StationMarine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
Day 2 · Ohori Park → science museum → dinner in Tenjin
- Hakata Station → Ohori Park
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Ohori Park Station and walk to the park. Choose how much of the roughly 2km lake path to walk. Check charges before entering any separately ticketed facilities.
Standard subway faresFukuoka City tourism guide to Ohori Park
- Ohori Park → Science museum in Ropponmatsu
From your lunch spot, find a walking or bus route to Fukuoka City Science Museum in Ropponmatsu. It’s near exit 3 of Ropponmatsu Station. Adult entry to the main exhibition on Level 5 costs JPY 510. Check Tuesday and temporary closures, and special exhibition arrangements separately.
Standard subway faresScience museumMain exhibition opening hours
- Ropponmatsu Station → Tenjin or Hakata accommodation
Take the Nanakuma Line from Ropponmatsu towards Tenjin-minami or Hakata. For dinner or a yatai in Tenjin, check opening arrangements and transport back to your accommodation. The Tenjin camera shows only part of the street.
Standard subway faresScience museumMain exhibition opening hoursFukuoka City yatai visitor guidance
Day 3 · Change JR trains for a day at Marine World
- Hakata Station → Kashii Station
Take the JR Kagoshima Main Line from Hakata to Kashii. Marine World’s official access map gives a roughly 11-minute train ride. JR and the subway Airport Line have different operators, so the subway one-day pass does not cover this section.
Standard subway faresMarine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
- Kashii Station → Uminonakamichi Station and Marine World
Change at Kashii to the JR Kashii Line and get off at Uminonakamichi. The official map gives roughly 20 minutes on this second train and a 5-minute walk to Marine World. These times exclude the transfer walk, train waits, lunch and admission queues. The aquarium closes on 18–21 January 2027; sea lion and dolphin shows are suspended from 12 January to 9 April 2027. Check the reopening notice before travelling for a show.
Marine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
- Marine World → Hakata Station
Standard Marine World admission costs JPY 2,500 for adults and JPY 1,200 for primary and junior high school students. Check opening and closing times for your date, then return via Uminonakamichi → Kashii → Hakata. Look up the last train and return JR fare for your travel date.
Marine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
Day 4 · From Tenjin to Dazaifu
- Hakata Station → Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Tenjin, then follow the signs and map on foot to Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station. Tenjin on the Airport Line, Tenjin-minami on the Nanakuma Line and Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) are separate stations. Nishitetsu trains are outside the subway one-day pass.
Standard subway faresNishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worship
- Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station → Dazaifu Station
Search for a route from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) to Dazaifu. The usual route changes to the Dazaifu Line at Nishitetsu Futsukaichi, but use your date’s results to confirm direct services or transfers. Enter the origin, destination and date in Nishitetsu’s official search for times and return fares.
Nishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worship
- Dazaifu Station → Dazaifu Tenmangu
From Dazaifu Station, walk along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu. The shrine’s official guide gives a roughly 5-minute walk from the station. Worship in the grounds is free. If time allows and the museum is open, follow the signs and connecting passage to Kyushu National Museum · 九州国立博物館. It usually opens from 09:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and closes on Mondays and at year-end. If Monday is a public holiday, it closes the following day; check the calendar for your visit. Standard admission to the Cultural Exchange Exhibition costs JPY 700; special exhibitions cost extra. Museum admission is excluded from the itinerary subtotal. Leave large luggage at your accommodation; it cannot be stored at the shrine.
Nishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worshipOfficial Kyushu National Museum access via the shrine approach and tunnelKyushu National Museum hours and Cultural Exchange Exhibition admission
- Dazaifu Station → Tenjin and Hakata accommodation
Look up a return train from Dazaifu to Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin). Once in Tenjin, take the subway back to your Hakata accommodation. Check the last train before starting your shrine visit.
Standard subway faresNishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worship
Day 5 · Prepare for departure in Hakata
- Hakata Station → International terminal
Travel from Hakata on the Airport Line to Fukuoka Airport Station, then take the free shuttle from domestic-terminal stop 1 to the international terminal. Allow for reaching the station gates, shuttle waits, check-in and security rather than planning only around the two subway stops.
Start with your check-in deadline and planned arrival time at the international terminal. Add lunch or shopping near the station only if there’s time for the Airport Line, shuttle from domestic stop 1 and departure procedures. For a morning flight, go straight to the airport. Don’t add Dazaifu or Marine World to departure day.
Included items: Main science exhibition JPY 510; Marine World JPY 2,500
Costs outside this subtotal: Subway, bus, JR and Nishitetsu fares; accommodation, meals, flights and shopping; separately paid options such as the planetarium, special exhibitions and museums. If you skip a facility, remove its admission charge too.
To add Momochi, swap a destination rather than squeezing it into the aquarium or Dazaifu day. If the coast matters more, replace day 4’s Dazaifu outing with the Momochi directions in the 4-day route. If you prefer an observation deck to the aquarium, replace day 3’s Marine World visit with Momochi. The main science exhibition and Marine World cost JPY 510 and JPY 2,500 for adults, totalling JPY 3,010. Dazaifu Tenmangu’s grounds are free. If you replace Marine World with Fukuoka Tower’s observation deck, the two paid attractions total JPY 1,510. Neither total includes subway, JR or Nishitetsu fares, museum admission, flights, accommodation, meals or shopping.
When should you catch the train or bus? Departure times can vary by date. Look up JR and Nishitetsu departures, transfers, last services and fares, plus Momochi bus services, for your travel date. Recheck attraction admission charges before visiting.
City sights, Momochi and Marine World
Choose this for beach walks, coastal views from above and the aquarium. Spend separate days on city exhibits, Momochi and Marine World.
Day 1 · Airport → Hakata accommodation → dinner in Hakata
- International terminal → Hakata Station
Take the shuttle from stop 5 outside international arrivals to the south side of the domestic terminal. Use entrance 1A or 1B and take the Airport Line to Hakata.
- Hakata accommodation → A meal or the old town
Leave your luggage at your accommodation and eat in Hakata. If there’s time, walk around Kushida Shrine; skip it if you arrive late.
Day 2 · Ohori Park → Ropponmatsu science museum → Hakata
- Hakata Station → Ohori Park
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Ohori Park Station and walk through part of the park.
Standard subway faresFukuoka City tourism guide to Ohori Park
- Ohori Park → Science museum
After lunch, walk or take a bus to the museum in Ropponmatsu for the main exhibition on Level 5. If it’s closed, skip the museum and spend longer in the park.
- Ropponmatsu Station → Hakata accommodation
Take the Nanakuma Line towards Hakata from Ropponmatsu.
Standard subway faresScience museumMain exhibition opening hours
Day 3 · Bus from Tenjin → Fukuoka Tower → Momochi Beach → Hakata
- Hakata Station → Bus stop in Tenjin
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Tenjin. Use Nishitetsu’s search to find the departure stop, destination and fare for a bus towards the tower.
Standard subway faresMomochi accessAdmission and hoursNishitetsu timetable and fare search
- Tenjin → Tower and Momochi Beach
If your service stops at Fukuoka Tower Minami, get off and walk to the tower. After your visit, walk along Momochi Beach to the north. The tower closes on 28–29 June 2027; on those dates, skip the deck and visit only the beach if the weather allows.
Momochi accessAdmission and hoursNishitetsu timetable and fare search
- Momochi → Tenjin and Hakata accommodation
Return by bus to Tenjin for dinner or take the Airport Line to your Hakata accommodation. The roughly 15-minute bus ride excludes waiting and walking.
Day 4 · JR from Hakata → Kashii → Uminonakamichi → Marine World
- Hakata Station → Kashii Station
Take the JR Kagoshima Main Line from Hakata to Kashii, then change to the JR Kashii Line.
Marine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
- Kashii Station → Uminonakamichi Station and Marine World
Walk from Uminonakamichi Station to Marine World. Check the day’s opening time, last entry and return JR train. The official access map gives train rides of about 11 minutes plus 20 minutes and a roughly 5-minute walk, excluding transfers and waiting. The aquarium closes on 18–21 January 2027; sea lion and dolphin shows are suspended from 12 January to 9 April 2027. Check the reopening notice before travelling for a show.
Marine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
- Uminonakamichi Station → Kashii Station and Hakata Station
After your visit, return from Uminonakamichi via Kashii to Hakata.
Marine World official 2026 access mapAdmissionHours and works
Day 5 · Hakata → international terminal
- Hakata Station → Fukuoka Airport international terminal
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Fukuoka Airport Station, then change to the free shuttle at domestic-terminal stop 1 for international departures.
Allow time for the Airport Line, travelling and waiting on the shuttle from domestic stop 1, international check-in and security. For a morning flight, go to the airport without extra sightseeing.
Included items: Main science exhibition JPY 510; tower observation deck JPY 1,000; Marine World JPY 2,500
Costs outside this subtotal: Subway, bus, JR and Nishitetsu fares; accommodation, meals, flights and shopping; separately paid options such as the planetarium, special exhibitions and museums. If you skip a facility, remove its admission charge too.
Adult admission totals JPY 4,010: science museum JPY 510 + tower JPY 1,000 + Marine World JPY 2,500. Remove the relevant charge if you skip the observation deck or museum. Subway, Nishitetsu bus and return JR fares, accommodation, meals and flights are extra.
City sights, Momochi and Dazaifu
Choose this for coastal views and a walk along a shrine approach. Visit city exhibits first, Momochi the next day and Dazaifu the day after.
Day 1 · Airport → Hakata accommodation → old town
- International terminal → Hakata Station
Take the free shuttle from international-terminal stop 5 to the south side of the domestic terminal, then the subway Airport Line to Hakata.
- Hakata accommodation → Old town or a meal
Leave your luggage at your accommodation. If there’s time, take a short walk around Kushida Shrine; if you arrive late, just eat near Hakata Station.
Day 2 · Ohori Park → science museum → Tenjin or Hakata
- Hakata Station → Ohori Park
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Ohori Park Station and walk in the park.
Standard subway faresFukuoka City tourism guide to Ohori Park
- Ohori Park → Science museum
Have lunch in Ropponmatsu and visit the science museum. Skip the indoor visit if it’s closed.
- Ropponmatsu Station → Tenjin or Hakata accommodation
Take the Nanakuma Line from Ropponmatsu to Tenjin-minami for dinner, or continue to Hakata and return to your accommodation.
Standard subway faresScience museumMain exhibition opening hours
Day 3 · Bus from Tenjin → Momochi tower and beach → Tenjin
- Hakata Station → Bus stop in Tenjin
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Tenjin. Use Nishitetsu’s search for your date to find the boarding stop for a bus towards the tower.
Standard subway faresMomochi accessAdmission and hoursNishitetsu timetable and fare search
- Tenjin → Tower and Momochi Beach
If you choose a route stopping at Fukuoka Tower Minami, visit the tower and walk to the beach to its north. The tower closes on 28–29 June 2027; on those dates, skip the deck and visit only the beach if the weather allows.
Momochi accessAdmission and hoursNishitetsu timetable and fare search
- Momochi → Hakata accommodation
Return by bus to Tenjin, then take the Airport Line to your Hakata accommodation. Check the stops and last services for the outward and return journeys separately.
Day 4 · Hakata → Tenjin → Dazaifu Station → shrine → Hakata
- Hakata Station → Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Tenjin and walk to Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station.
- Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station → Dazaifu Station
Use Nishitetsu’s official search for a train to Dazaifu and change to the Dazaifu Line at Futsukaichi if needed.
Nishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worship
- Dazaifu Station → Dazaifu Tenmangu
From Dazaifu Station, walk along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu. The shrine’s official guide gives a roughly 5-minute walk from the station. Worship in the grounds is free. If time allows and the museum is open, follow the signs and connecting passage to Kyushu National Museum · 九州国立博物館. It usually opens from 09:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and closes on Mondays and at year-end. If Monday is a public holiday, it closes the following day; check the calendar for your visit. Standard admission to the Cultural Exchange Exhibition costs JPY 700; special exhibitions cost extra. Museum admission is excluded from the itinerary subtotal.
Nishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worshipOfficial Kyushu National Museum access via the shrine approach and tunnelKyushu National Museum hours and Cultural Exchange Exhibition admission
- Dazaifu Station → Tenjin and Hakata accommodation
Take a train from Dazaifu back to Tenjin, then return to your Hakata accommodation. Leave large luggage at your accommodation; it cannot be stored at the shrine.
Nishitetsu timetable and fare searchOfficial Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worship
Day 5 · Hakata → international terminal
- Hakata Station → Fukuoka Airport international terminal
Take the Airport Line from Hakata to Fukuoka Airport Station, then change to the free shuttle at domestic-terminal stop 1 for the international terminal.
Allow time for the Airport Line, shuttle from domestic stop 1 and international security before your check-in deadline. For a morning departure, skip sightseeing.
Included items: Main science exhibition JPY 510; tower observation deck JPY 1,000
Costs outside this subtotal: Subway, bus, JR and Nishitetsu fares; accommodation, meals, flights and shopping; separately paid options such as the planetarium, special exhibitions and museums. If you skip a facility, remove its admission charge too.
Adult admission totals JPY 1,510: science museum JPY 510 + tower JPY 1,000. Dazaifu Tenmangu’s grounds are free. Subway, bus and return Nishitetsu fares, museum entry, accommodation, meals and flights are extra.
Returning to the airport on departure day
Add sightseeing on the last day only if you have time to collect luggage from your accommodation and travel to the international terminal. For a morning flight, skip sightseeing and go to the airport.
Airport shuttleSubway connectionInternational terminal procedures
Frequently asked questions
Which nearby cities can I reach with a Northern Kyushu Rail Pass?
The pass covers eligible JR journeys from Hakata to Nagasaki, Yufuin, Beppu and Kumamoto. Choose one city for a day trip or an overnight stay. Local buses, trams and accommodation are excluded. Compare individual tickets against the pass using your other JR journeys too.
Can I use the Northern Kyushu Rail Pass for an overnight stay in Yufuin or Beppu?
Yes. It covers the JR journeys from Hakata to Yufuin or Beppu and back to Fukuoka, provided both travel days fall within the pass’s validity. Accommodation, hot-spring facilities and local buses cost extra. Yufuin no Mori requires a reserved seat.
Northern Kyushu Rail Pass coverage and consecutive validityJR Kyushu seat guide
Do I need a Northern Kyushu Rail Pass to visit another city from Fukuoka?
No. You can buy individual tickets to Nagasaki, Yufuin, Beppu or Kumamoto. If you’ll also use JR on other days, compare the cost of separate tickets with the pass. Accommodation and local transport are extra.
Relay Kamome and Takeo-Onsen transferNorthern Kyushu Rail Pass coverage and consecutive validity
Official sources and dates checked
- Admission and hours ·
- Admission ·
- Hours and works ·
- Airport shuttle ·
- Subway connection ·
- International terminal procedures ·
- Fukuoka City tourism guide to Ohori Park ·
- Official Dazaifu FAQ, seasonal gate hours and free worship ·
- Northern Kyushu Rail Pass coverage and consecutive validity ·
- Relay Kamome and Takeo-Onsen transfer ·
- Yufuin no Mori reserved seats ·
- Fukuoka City tourism: Kushida Shrine Station ·
- Momochi access ·
- Marine World official 2026 access map ·
- Nishitetsu timetable and fare search ·
- Official airport boarding-stop map ·
- Fukuoka City yatai visitor guidance ·
- Standard subway fares ·
- Science museum ·
- JR Kyushu seat guide ·
- Main exhibition opening hours ·
- Official Kyushu National Museum access via the shrine approach and tunnel ·
- Kyushu National Museum hours and Cultural Exchange Exhibition admission ·