7 Cultural Places in Fukuoka

Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

Dedicated to collecting and showcasing modern and contemporary art in Asia, the museum possesses around 2,700 art works created between the end of the 18th century to the present, across 23 countries and regions in East, South and Southeast Asia. Stop by to appreciate the well-curated collection on display at any given time, and celebrate the rich, original and distinctive aesthetics of Asian art, via folk, ethnic and popular forms.

Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine

Located in the town of Dazaifu, this is the main Tenmangu shrine dedicated to the spirit of Michizane Sugawara (845-903 AD), the God of literature and learning. Thousands of plum trees, a favourite of Michizane’s, fill the shrine, and the main hall dates back to 1591. The shrine is a popular destination for students, especially during the entrance exam season; so be sure to pick up a good luck charm or two from the shops around the main hall – be it study or education-related ones, or those pertaining to health and other areas.

The road leading up to the shrine is also lined with stalls selling all manners of snacks, souvenirs and knick-knacks. There’s nothing like strolling down the picturesque street – even the Starbucks here is beautiful, designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma – while sinking your teeth into umegae-mochi, a grilled mochi cake stuffed with warm red bean paste.