This time, we spent a two-day, one-night trip exploring Fukuoka's nightlife and popular morning spots with two influencers: Kaisei, who shares fun daily updates centered around Fukuoka on Instagram, and Azusa, an influencer based in Miyazaki. 

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Kaisei’s Kyushu Trip
Shares information about hole-in-the-wall restaurants, onsens, hotels, and other spots with a focus on Fukuoka but also throughout Kyushu. Has over 303,000 followers. （@_high_genkides）

Azu
Miyazaki born and raised! Shares Miyazaki cuisine and tourism info on her Instagram page. Currently has over 73,000 followers. （@azu_miyatabi）
*As of November 2025.

Enjoy Fukuoka’s representative hot pot dishes, Mizutaki and Motsunabe, at Hakata-rou in Suijo Park right in the heart of town!

Before embarking on any trip, it’s important to eat, so let’s fill up with a true Fukuoka specialty!

The first stop is in Suijo Park, a small patch of greenery located slightly to the north of Tenjin Chuo Park. Located between Tenjin and Nakasu, Suijo Park has deck space to relax along the river front and restaurants that allow diners to take advantage of the view. 

On the second floor of the SHIP’S GARDEN building in the park is Hakata-ro Nishinakasu. This beloved establishment serves not only Hakata cuisine, but also regional food from all around Kyushu. 

Perfectly situated next to the Yakuin Shin and Naka Rivers, the restaurant affords a view of both. As the sun sets, the area likewise settles into a more somber and relaxed atmosphere. It is in this environment that you can enjoy a special dinner of local specialties.

The main dishes on offer here are two of Fukuoka’s primary hot pot classics: mizutaki and motsunabe. For those who don’t know, mizutaki is a hotpot dish that primarily features chicken and later other vegetables cooked in a very light broth or water to accentuate the flavor of the chicken, and motsunabe refers to a hotpot dish prepared with small intestine (usually beef) that is stewed together with plenty of cabbage and other veggies. Can’t decide which one floats your fancy? Fortunately, you don’t have to, as the restaurant conveniently serves a half-and-half set.

By using a pot with a partition in the center, one can enjoy both types of hotpot at the same time!

The springy and fluffy texture of the small intestine used in high-quality motsunabe has no odor and is very tasty. Removing the smell is an art unto itself, with restaurants often specializing in the technique to do so. 

As for the mizutaki, the restaurant uses chicken from Arita in Saga, renowned for its soft texture, juiciness, and rich umami, especially when used in hotpot. They are no less choosy when it comes to the other ingredients in the hotpot, using exclusively cabbage grown in Kitakyushu’s Wakamatsu area and vegetables grown in Itoshima, making no compromises in their pursuit of flavor. 

Both Kai and Azu were stunned by both the motsunabe and mizutaki, saying “delicious, delicious!!” as they ate. The perfect way to fill up before a night out on the town!

Hakata-ro Nishinakasu
Address: SHIP’S GARDEN Suijo Park, 2F, Nishinakasu 13-1, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City 
Hours: Lunch 11:30 ~ 15:00 (last order 14:00) / Dinner 17:30 ~ 22:00 (last order 21:00)
Fixed holidays: none
Access: 3-minute walk from the subway Nakasu-Kawabata Station, 5-minute walk from Tenjin Station
Website

A glimmering ride surrounded by city lights and the evening breeze, Fukuoka Open Top Bus

Without further ado, let’s get this nightlife show on the road- literally! 
Starting things off is the Fukuoka Open Top Bus, a sightseeing activity that is very popular with tourists.

The Fukuoka Open Top Bus allows passengers to enjoy in Fukuoka’s sights and scenery from atop a double decker bus with no roof. This time Kaisei and Azu joined the Night Cruise, which takes guests through Tenjin, Hakata, and even Fukuoka Tower, glittering vistas when the sun sets. 

Other routes include the Seaside Momochi course that travels right next to the beachfront, and the Downtown Hakata course that goes through the historical Hakata Old Town area, among others.   

An announcer kindly explains the various landmarks and areas as the buss passes by, providing a helpful overview of Hakata and Tenjin. 

After Tenjin and Hakata, we then find ourselves on the Fukuoka Urban Expressway.
The announcer then says “Here, enjoy the thrill of the ride as if it was a roller coaster ride!” before the bus immediately speeds up! Because there is no roof, the wind hits you directly, making this feel almost exactly like a roller coaster ride! Just look at Azu and Kaisei:

With clear views of the Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka, the Hilton Fukuoka Seahawk, and Fukuoka Tower, driving through the Momochi area affords the perfect chance to snap a photo of these landmarks. The height of the Fukuoka Open Top Bus is maybe the only way such a perfect angle will present itself!

Upon exiting the Fukuoka Urban Expressway Fukuoka Tower is the first landmark to make its appearance. As this ride was the day before Halloween, the tower featured a festive Jack-O’lantern motif. 

The Fukuoka Open Top Bus is one of the best ways to take in the nighttime scenery. Feel the rushing wind, thrills, and beautiful views and enjoy yourselves like Azu and Kaisei! 

❖Fukuoka Open Top Bus
Boarding location: Fukuoka City Hall Lobby Ticket Counter (1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
Times: 9:00 ~ 19:00
Course: Fukuoka Night Cruise (80 minutes), Seaside Momochi course (60 minutes), Fukuoka Downtown course (60 minutes)
Cost: Adults: ¥2,000 per person/Children: ¥1,000 per person (from 4 years old to elementary school age)
Websita 

Enjoy Fukuoka on the water, River Cruise

Our next stop is located five minutes away from Suijo Park at Fukuhaku Deai Bridge. This bridge connects the Tenjin and Nakasu・Hakata areas, and is often used as a shooting location for dramas and movies, making it a highly symbolic location in the city. Just next to this bridge one can take a trip by boat with the River Cruise.

River Cruise is, as the name suggests, an activity in which passengers can take a trip through the heart of Fukuoka by boat through the Naka River and even up into Hakata Bay. The view of the city from atop a boat is quite a bit different from land, making the River Cruise experience quite popular with tourists. 

Today our pair will be taking part of the Nakasu Cruise Night Course. Taking roughly 30 minutes from start to finish, the light of the buildings framing the river and the bridges overhanging it makes for romantic scenery, to say nothing of the beauty of the nighttime scenery of Hakata Bay.

With that, let’s set sail! 
This boat takes passengers towards Hakata Bay, allowing them to get a good look at Bayside Place Hakata and the Hakata Port Tower, both popular spots and even more popular once seem from the water. The beautifully illuminated buildings and the light reflecting on the water's surface were utterly stunning, and Azusa couldn't help but break into a beaming smile.

However, one of the best aspects of the River Cruise must be getting to pass beneath the bridges overhanging the Naka River. Since the bridges are located close to the sea, at high tide you can experience the thrill of passing just barely under the bridge's underside.。

However, one of the best aspects of the River Cruise must be getting to pass beneath the bridges overhanging the Naka River. Since the bridges are located close to the sea, at high tide you can experience the thrill of passing just barely under the bridge's underside.

However, one of the best aspects of the River Cruise must be getting to pass beneath the bridges overhanging the Naka River. Since the bridges are located close to the sea, at high tide you can experience the thrill of passing just barely under the bridge's underside.

While tourists are of course welcome, there are probably many long-time residents of Fukuoka that haven’t seen the city from the water before. We encourage those residents to come by and enjoy the tour as well!

❖Naka River Cruise (from official website)
Boarding location: Tenjin Central Park, Fukuhaku Deai Bridge (6-3-1 Nishinakasu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
Check-in Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Courses: Nakasu Cruise (Duration: approx. 30 min), Hakata Bay Cruise (Duration: approx. 45 min)
Fares:
・Nakasu Cruise Day Course (11:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Weekdays (Mon-Thu): Adults ¥1,000 (Children ¥500) / Weekends (Fri-Sun & Holidays): Adults ¥1,500 (Children ¥800)
・Nakasu Cruise Night Course (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Adult ¥1,500 (Child ¥800)
・Hakata Bay Cruise (14:00, 17:00, 19:00)
Adult ¥2,000 (Child ¥1,000)
*Child fare applies to elementary school students and younger
Official Website:

A grand finale with the out-of-this-world entertainment at Anmitsu-hime! 

Rounding out our evening together is the out-of-this-world entertainment show, Animitsu-hime.

Located on Tenjin’s Oyafuku-dori street, the show is well-known to the people of Fukuoka.

Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2025, Anmitsu-hime presents a spectacular 75-minute show featuring lavish costumes, dynamic dance performances, hilarious comedy sketches that will have you laughing nonstop, and elegant Japanese dances. 

Shows are often exciting affairs due to the proximity of the audience to the stage. Interacting with the performers is a big part of the fun!

Azu and Kaisei were besides themselves with laughter as they watched. Now having fun while watching is one thing but…

Kaisei ended up getting roped onstage! Joining the performers for their comedy routine the entire room was filled with raucous laughter. Anmitsu-hime is in fact well known for audience participation in their shows, and one of the major reasons they are so popular.

Once the show finished, its time for a commemorative photo!

In the top-middle of the photo is the famed leader of the Anmitsu-hime troupe- “Tomato”-san. It looks like fun was had by everybody!

❖Anmitsu-hime
Address: TM-20 Building 2F 3-7-13 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Cost & times: Please confirm via their homepage
Location: 6-minute walk from the Tenjin subway station
Official website:

Start the morning off strong with a stroll through the Yanagibashi Rengo Market

In the morning following that night of wild partying we found Kaisei by the Yanagibashi Rengo Market. 

Located in the center of Fukuoka, this market manages to retain a retro atmosphere from the old days. With a history of over 100 years, this market is also referred to as the Kitchen of Hakata by locals. In addition to professional chefs and foodies seeking tasty meals, lately tourists have been visiting this important culinary landmark in increasing numbers.

It is now morning and as usual, an energetic scene is unfolding in the market. 

Piquing our interest is a real old school shop- Takamatsu no Kamaboko. 

Well known for their fresh surimiage (a kind of tempura in which minced fish is combined to make a kind of patty), many come here to buy one to eat as they explore the rest of the market. The menu variety here is staggering. From classics to slightly unusual offerings, you’ll have ordered a wide variety of items before you know it! 

Kaisei ends up going with the following three options: starting from the right the gyrokke, then a fried treat made to resemble Fukuoka’s primary soul food, tonkotsu ramen, and finally the standard handmade large chikuwa (fish cake). 

That’s a stirring way to kick off the day for sure! When asked on his order he says “The gyorokke is both fluffy yet tastes rich, the tonkotsu ramen one tastes unique because it actually uses ingredients used in making actual ramen, and the fish cake just gets tastier the more you chew it. Perfect for a walk around the place.”

❖Yanagibashi Rengo Market
Address: 1-5 Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Hours: depends on the shop
Access: 3-minute walk from the Watanabe-dori subway station 
Official site: 

Enjoy the fruits of the sea for breakfast at °F/CONCEPT

After exploring the market Azu and Kaisei get back together and head to the final destination on their itinerary, the restaurant °F/CONCEPT. 

°F/CONCEPT is a restaurant/izakaya located in the Yanagibashi Rengo Market that opens at 9:00 in the morning. The owner is an intermediate wholesaler at the Nagahama Fish Market, allowing him to pick out the freshest fish for the daily menu at reasonable prices. This combination of affordability and flavor has earned the restaurant a dedicated following of locals and the praise of visitors. 

The restaurant is bustling with customers during the breakfast service. 

Azu opts to order the limited-number daily set special. Today, the star of the show is the aji or horse mackerel fry. Accompanying the fried fish is an assortment of sashimi, a small bowl, and even miso soup. Now that’s what you call a hearty breakfast!

Looking at all this fresh, delicious fish, Azu can’t help but crack into a smile!
Incidentally, when aji fry is the special one can even get seconds of it. How generous!

After wracking his brains over his order, Kaisei finally decides to get the Yanagibashi Omae set. The set features delectable fish sent directly from the market to the restaurant. 

The star of the show here is the lavish jubako, or food box. In it a bed of white rice is topped with a thick rolled omelet with a piece of mentaiko covered with fresh salmon roe. Off to the side a bowl of gomasaba, or mackerel sashimi served in a sesame sauce, aji fry, and Hakata Torimon for dessert garnish this luxurious set.

▲Photo text: This menu is currently unavailable, but there are plenty of other delicious set menu items to try

Kaisei looks awfully happy about his order, doesn’t he?
The generous serving of fresh, delicious seafood leaves them completely full. Now that’s a good breakfast.

❖°F/CONCEPT 
Address: 1-4-7 Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Hours: 9:00 – 21:30 (last order for food: 20:30/drinks: 21:00)
Days off: Sunday
Access: 7-minute walk from the Watanabe-dori subway station
Instagram

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Night and day reveal different faces of Fukuoka

So, how was that for a one-night, two-day itinerary? 
Fukuoka is a city that is positively filled with delicious food and interesting sightseeing spots. With so much to offer, there are plenty of holes in the wall and unique experiences that even most locals don’t know about!

Whether its day or night, the many faces of Fukuoka are sure to have you coming back for more!