Five free Fukuoka attractions: Tours, shrines and parks

Find five free-entry activities around Hakata and Tenjin, including a guided walk, Kushida Shrine, Maizuru Park, Ohori Park and Acros Step Garden, with hours and access.

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  • Fukuoka
  • Free attractions
  • Shrines, temples and parks

Many places in central Fukuoka charge no admission fee. This article introduces 5 options: 1 free guided walk and 4 attractions, giving only officially published addresses, transport and hours. Facilities, activities or separately charged areas within these locations may not be free; check notices on site. For more places, see Fukuoka attractions.

Key points

Attraction Area Officially published hours
Hakata and Tenjin walking tour (free guided tour) Hakata, Tenjin Starts at 14:00, about 60 minutes
Kushida Shrine Hakata Main hall worship 4:00 to 22:00, open year-round
Maizuru Park (Fukuoka Castle Ruins) Tenjin, Ohori Not listed on official page
Ohori Park Ohori Not listed on official page
Step Garden Tenjin March to October 9:00 to 18:00; November to February 9:00 to 17:00

Hakata and Tenjin walking tour (free guided tour)

For the full schedule, meeting point, route, capacity and days without tours, see the “Free guided walk” section of Fukuoka attractions. Official information:

  • Hakata route starts at 14:00 and lasts about 60 minutes. No reservation; first come, first served; approximately 6 people.
  • Route passes Kushida Shrine, Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, Ryuguji Temple and Tochoji Temple.
  • Enquiries: Fukuoka City volunteer tourist guides, 092-733-5050 (weekdays 9:30 to 17:00).

Kushida Shrine ()

  • Address:
  • Official introduction: Hakata’s principal guardian shrine, called Okushida-san by local residents.
  • Worship times: main hall 4:00 to 22:00; goshuin reception 9:00 to 17:00; no closing days.
  • Transport (official): 2-minute walk from Kushida Shrine-mae Station on the Nanakuma Subway Line; 6-minute walk from Gion or Nakasu-kawabata Station on the Airport Line; 2-minute walk from the Nishitetsu Bus stop Canal City Hakata-mae.
  • For festivals, see the Fukuoka festivals and event calendar.

Maizuru Park (Fukuoka Castle Ruins) ()

  • Address:
  • Official introduction: about 15 minutes on foot from Tenjin, a park known for the Fukuoka Castle ruins.
  • Transport (official): 5 to 8 minutes’ walk from Nishitetsu Bus Otemon or Heiwadai Korokan-mae; about 8 minutes’ walk from Akasaka or Ohori Park Subway Station.
  • Opening hours: not listed on the official page.
  • For cherry blossoms, see Fukuoka cherry blossoms; some illuminated areas during the cherry blossom festival have separate admission fees (see that page).

Ohori Park ()

  • Address:
  • Official introduction: one of Japan’s notable waterside parks and also a summer fireworks event venue.
  • Transport (official): immediately accessible on foot from Ohori Park Subway Station.
  • Opening hours: not listed on the official page.
  • Fukuoka Art Museum is beside the park. See 10 rainy-day attractions in Fukuoka.

Step Garden (, Acros Fukuoka)

  • Official introduction: a rooftop garden on a stepped, green slope with waterfalls, also called Acros Mountain; approximately 5,400 square metres, linking the greenery of Tenjin Central Park to the top floor.
  • Opening hours: March to October 9:00 to 18:00; November to February 9:00 to 17:00.
  • Admission: free.
  • Rooftop observation deck opens only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 10:00 to 16:00 (official).
  • Address and transport: not listed on the official page reviewed; see the Acros Fukuoka official website.

How to plan

  • Hakata: combine the free guided walk and Kushida Shrine, starting at 14:00.
  • Tenjin and Ohori: Step Garden, Maizuru Park and Ohori Park are in the same general area. For transport, see the Fukuoka transport guide.
  • For a 3-day, 2-night trip, see the Fukuoka 3-day, 2-night itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Are these attractions completely free?

Entry to the attractions themselves is free, but on-site facilities, activities, paid exhibitions or illuminated areas may have separate fees. Check notices on site.

Do I need a reservation?

The official guided tour information says no reservation is required. The other attractions’ official pages do not list reservation requirements.

Further reading

Sources