Fukuoka - Ohori Park

Ohori Park is set up around the old ditch of Fukuoka Castle ruins. Adjoining it is another park called Maizuru Park that is always decorated with seasonal flowers. These two parks provide an urban oasis for the surrounding area, where people can enjoy green and water.

The Ohori Koen Japanese Garden is a beautiful oasis adjacent to the Ohori Park. Focusing on traditional beauty that makes this a truly Japanese garden, modern features are added to this wonderful combination of mountain, forestry, and waters. The man-made mountain is the perfect place to relax with the waters flowing around the large lake, the rock garden, and many tea rooms with outdoor gardens. From the dark green summer, to the red maple autumn, to the winter pines, you will enjoy all four seasons here.

Fukuoka Art Museum: The Fukuoka City Art Museum is a simple but elegant house designed by Maekawa Kunio. Not only are the pieces of world-famous artists such as Milo, Dali and Chagall but also of Kyushu-born artists such as Shigeru Aoki, Seiji Togo and Hanjiro Sakamoto are displayed here. The museum also collects Asian antiques, important cultural assets including tea utensils and Buddhist art!

Fukuoka Castle Ruins: Kuroda Nagamasa, the first lord of Fukuoka province, started constructing Fukuoka castle in 1601 and took 7 years to finish it. The castle was a flat-land type and had around 50 observatory towers of various sizes. Among them, Tamon-yagura (designated as an important cultural property), Shiomi-yagura, Otemon, Kinen-yagura, Najima-mon are conserved today. The Wild Cyperus ohwii Kukenth is designated as a natural treasure by the prefectural government and grow in the moats around the castle ruin. There is also a tablet of Manyo poems on the castle site. The castle ruins are designated as a national historic site and it is also called “Maizuru-jo (castle)”.

Fukuoka Jo Mukashi Tanbo Kan (Fukuoka Castle History Exploration Hall) opened on the site of Fukuoka Castle Ruins in April, 2012. It introduces the attractive history of Fukuoka Castle which was constructed by Kuroda Josui and his son Nagamasa. Time-Space Virtual Movie represents the old Fukuoka Castle with computer graphics! The dynamic and realistic movie amazingly represents the stately and valiant image of Fukuoka Castle. In the movie is seen the main keep tower of Fukuoka Castle, much of which is still shrouded in mystery.

Korokan Historical Museum: “Korokan” was one of the ancient guest houses for foreign diplomats, built in Heian period (794-1185). The guest houses of the time were set up in three locations; Heiankyo (Kyoto), Namba (Osaka) and Chikushi (Fukuoka). Among them, “Korokan” of Chikushi, whose ruins today remain in in Chuo-ward, Fukuoka City, is the only one whose original location has been identified. It is said that the house had ushered the imperial embassies and missions from China (Shilla) for about 400 years from the end of 7th century to 11th.The museum exhibits remains of the building and trading items of the time. There is also a panel display of the ancient history of diplomacy.

At Sannomaru Square, with the layered interior design expressing the eras past, you can learn the history of Korokan and Fukuoka Castle and enjoy set menus of traditional matcha tea or green tea and some sweets, as well as light meals at the Josuian tea room there. On March 31, 2018, Mayu-no-Yakata opened in Sannomaru Square, offering kimono dress-up experience services. You can also enjoy a stroll around Fukuoka Castle or Maizuru Park in a kimono.
You can come empty-handed and pick your favorite from a variety of kimonos, ranging from those for ladies, men and kids, to ninja costumes. Hair styling services are also optionally available. (paid service)