IJET-33 is right around the corner. But what a waste it would be to come all the way to Fukuoka without enjoying the sights! The city, the prefecture, and the whole of Kyushu have so much to offer. Here's a list of some of the IJET-33 Organizing Committee's favorites:
Fukuoka
- Asian Art Museum (福岡アジア美術館)
Contemporary and pop art exhibits featuring creators from locations all throughout Asia.
https://faam.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/en/ - Fukuoka City Geisha Experience & Hakata Tour w/ Lunch
https://www.byfood.com/experiences/kimono-stroll-with-lunch-and-tea-in-hakata-fukuoka-1041 - Ohori Park (大濠公園) / Maizuru Park (舞鶴公園)
Fukuoka's signature green space, with playgrounds, jogging paths, museums, castle ruins, a Japanese garden, and easy access via the Fukuoka City Subway.
https://www.ohorikouen.jp/en/
https://gofukuoka.jp/spots/detail/26832 - The Sasaguri Henro (篠栗遍路)
A hiker's delight! Experience this mini-pilgrimage of 88 area temples, including Nanzoin (南蔵院), home of Japan's largest reclining Buddha statue. The full path covers roughly 50 km.
https://sasagurikanko.com/pilgrimage-about/ - Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉神社) / Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)
Peaceful escapes from the downtown hustle and bustle. Each shrine is just 15 minutes' walk from Hakata Station, and Kushida is also immediately adjacent to the Kushida Shrine subway station.
https://gofukuoka.jp/spots/detail/26920
https://gofukuoka.jp/spots/detail/26906 - Nokonoshima (のこのしまアイランドパーク)
Local island getaway accessible via 10-minute ferry ride from Meinohama Ferry Terminal. The ferry operates daily from morning until night, with departures scheduled roughly once per hour.
https://nokonoshima.com/ - Pokémon Center Fukuoka (ポケモンセンターフクオカ)
Discover exclusive items and meet your favorite Pokémon at Pokémon Center Fukuoka!
https://www.pokemon.co.jp/shop/en/pokecen/fukuoka/ - Fukuoka Dome Dante (暖手)
"Shake hands" with stars. Mizuho PayPay Dome FUKUOKA, located immediately adjacent to the conference venue, is surrounded by bronze casts of the hands of celebrities that have performed at the dome over its history, including Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Simon & Garfunkel, Phil Collins, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, and Jon Bon Jovi.
https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/stadium/dante.html - Fukuoka Now
For more ideas, check out the local news and event resource Fukuoka Now!
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/
Dazaifu (about 30 mins by train from Nishitetsu Tenjin Station)
- Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天満宮) / Kamado Jinja (竈門神社) / Keidai Art Museum (境内美術館)
The photo on the IJET-33 banner is of a bridge in Dazaifu Tenmangu. Some say that Kamado Jinja was the inspiration for Kimetsu no Yaiba.
https://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/ - Kyushu National Museum (九州国立博物館)
One of only four National Museums in the country, the Kyushu National Museum is situated just outside the Dazaifu Tenmangu complex. Its collections focus on "Japanese cultural formation in the context of Asian history."
https://www.kyuhaku.jp/en/ - Traditional Aizome (Indigo-Dyeing) Experience (藍染絣工房)
https://craftinn.jp/en/aizome
Kitakyushu (about 15 mins by shinkansen, 45 mins on ltd express, 90 mins by local express)
- Mojiko–Shimonoseki Kanmon Tunnel Footpath (関門トンネル人道)
Walk underwater across the Fukuoka–Yamaguchi border and enjoy fugu, the local delicacy.
https://www.mojiko.info/ - Kokura Castle (小倉城)
Visitors can explore the inside of the castle and climb up to the top of the main keep. Additionally, from the Starbucks located in the nearby shopping mall "Riverwalk," you can enjoy a coffee while taking in the view of Kokura Castle.
https://kokura-castle.jp/english-information/ - Hiraodai (平尾台)
One of Japan's three major karst landscapes, known for its magnificent scenery. It’s highly recommended for those who enjoy hiking. The area has restaurants, shops, and a pottery-making experience.
https://trip.cocokite-yokatta.jp/ - Kitakyushu Manga Museum (北九州市漫画ミュージアム)
Just 2 minutes on foot from Kokura Station, this museum boasts a collection of over 70,000 volumes, plus displays on the history and making of comics in Japan and the life of Fukuoka-native and world-renowned creator Leiji Matsumoto.
https://www.ktqmm.jp/
Elsewhere in Kyushu
- Mt. Aso (阿蘇山) - One of the world's few supervolcanoes, Aso has the largest caldera of any volcano on earth.
- Yakushima (屋久島) - A bit difficult to access but a great place to hike. Home to trees that predate the pyramids.
- Yame (八女市) - Fukuoka's premier tea-producing region.
- Yanagawa (柳川市) - An area in southern Fukuoka Prefecture known for its traditional canal rides and delicious unagi.
- Nagasaki (長崎市) - Located to the west of Fukuoka, with area sights including the Nagasaki Peace Park, Dejima, Gunkanjima, and Glover Garden.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4400.html - Takeo Onsen (武雄温泉) - A long-established hot springs town in Saga Prefecture.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/food/saga-hirakawaya-takeo-onsen/ - Beppu (別府) / Yufuin (由布院) - Situated on the eastern side of Kyushu, these areas are among the most popular hot springs getaways in all Japan.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4700.html