Fukuoka 福岡
Top street food
Lively Fukuoka city is the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture and the biggest city on Kyūshū (pop 1.54 million).
It’s a vibrant place on the northwest coast, a fusion of two cities in 1889, when the port of Hakata and the castle town of Fukuoka were united into one city called Fukuoka.
Hakata is still the name of one of Fukuoka's central districts and of the main railway station - it’s the name you’ll see on shinkansen schedules, rather than Fukuoka.
The city is known Japan-wide for its yatai, open-air food stalls, that generally seat 10 or less. The best places are on Nakasu Island. A favourite dish is Hakata Ramen, a local ramen dish that features noodles in a thick, creamy tonkotsu soup, topped with slices of chashu pork.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival involves a time trial race of festival floats in July.