We travel for food so when I think of Fukuoka, three things immediately come to mind – tonkotsu ramen, yatai stalls, and motsunabe. They’re three of my favorite things about this city that’s regarded by many as the gateway into Kyushu.

To be honest, Fukuoka isn’t my favorite city in Japan. I don’t find it as exciting as Tokyo or Osaka or as charming as Kyoto or Kanazawa but what it does have, is amazing food. In fact, a Japanese friend of mine told me that it’s one of three cities that Japanese people like to visit when they travel for food, the other two being Nagoya and Hiroshima.

Food tops the list of our favorite things to do in Fukuoka but there’s enough to do in this city to merit a short stay. If you’ll be visiting Fukuoka, even for just a day, then this comprehensive Fukuoka travel guide will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip.