Fukuoka, Japan has seen a seven fold increase in visitation figures last year compared to 2022, welcoming 2.8 million of international tourists in 2024 following a decade-long revitalisation.
Let’s look at the key openings and new attractions that helped enhance Fukuoka’s appeal to travellers, including the most recent hotel openings, the flourishing of coffee culture, and other artisan movements related to beverage.
Clusters of hotels spanning luxury, bespoke concept properties and rooftop retreats
- The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka: Opened June 2023, this is Marriott International’s first luxury hotel in Kyushu, conveniently located only 15 minutes away from Fukuoka Airport in the vibrant Tenjin district. The 167-key hotel boasts four restaurants, two bars, a spa, an indoor pool, and a Club lounge. Its design pays homage to “Hakata-ori,” a traditional textile from Fukuoka. Lead-in rates from ¥100,000/night (£517/night)
- NOT A HOTEL FUKUOKA: Launched in November 2023, this 8-room gem caters to adults seeking for the ultimate bleisure experience, with a guest-only lounge, +BLANC for guests to enjoy exclusive dining and drinks, and communal bikes and electric cars for rental. Most notably, the hotel’s striking exterior features stacked boxes, with each spacious room designed for unique experiences—workspace, chef-inviting dining, and retreat with a jacuzzi terrace. Lead-in rates from ¥112,000/night (£580/night)
- One Fukuoka Hotel: Set to open on 24 April this year, this 41-room hotel is the newest addition to Tenjin’s hospitality scene, with a rooftop lounge and a large public bath and sauna, with stunning bay views from the top of the One Fukuoka Bldg, which opens the same day.
The rise of third-wave coffee in Fukuoka City
- TAG STA is an espresso stand in Haruyoshi, where you can not only enjoy hand-drip coffee but also a gallery space, hosting exhibitions of works from selected Japanese artists with a view to promoting ‘low threshold art’. Opens 8am to 8pm daily.
- COFFEE COUNTY has opened a second store in Fukuoka Prefecture in addition to their roastery in Kurume City. The store, located near Yakuin Station, is known for its delectable cakes and desserts inspired by coffee origins in Latin America and seasonal fruits. It’s also a dynamic space that hosts art galleries and pop up events. Opens 11am to 7.30pm (closed Wednesdays).
- Artist Cafe Fukuoka is a space that can be used as a base for artists to interact, including consultation services, exhibitions and events. The facility includes a coworking space, a production space, and a community café filled with art books for browsing. Open 11am to 7pm (closed Mondays).
Pair your Fukuoka escape with visits to local brews and sake-and-wine tasting
- Todoroki saketen Yakuin is the brand’s second outpost offering 100 varieties of sake, 50 shochu and 200 wines that the owner and staff have collected on their travels. Each evening visitors can enjoy sake and wine kaku-uchi (standing) style with staff matching sake to guests according to their mood and preference with either 9ml or 45ml pours. Store opens from 12pm to 9pm, Kaku-uchi opens from 4pm to 9pm (closed Sunday / Monday).
- OHORI BREWERY is a microbrewery on the south side of Ohori Park in Chuo-ku, that opened in April 2023. The interior is designed to replicate bars in London and New York and features a working brewery so visitors can watch the brewing process while enjoying a pint of home-brew. Open 4pm to 10pm (Tuesday to Friday), and 1pm to 10pm (weekends and holidays).
Fukuoka is known as Japan’s ‘Gateway to Asia’ due to being the nearest point on the main islands to the Asia mainland, offering a blend of cosmopolitan and local culture. To access Fukuoka from Tokyo there are multiple direct flights daily or it’s a five-hour train journey via Shinkansen.
