There are new facilities in the Higashi ward’s Uminonakamichi area, next to the Fukuoka PayPay Dome, and many new art and entertainment facilities. There are even quite a few ‘firsts in Japan’ among the new batch of facilities!

In this article we will be introducing theme parks and activities that emphasize entertainment, leisure, art, and traditional festivals that could be just the thing to make your trip to Fukuoka unforgettable.

In in the Light and Wind Plaza in the Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, you will find the striking figure of the first athletic tower in Kyushu, the SEA DRAGOON, piercing the skies. With over 92 athletic installations built into the tower, the Kids’ Course constitutes the largest of its kind in Japan. (Open to those over 100 cm tall)

Even those who do not want to play on the course can enjoy the view from the 16.8 meter high observation deck, the Sky Corridor, and gaze out over Hakata Bay and the Genkai Sea. (Admission is 500 yen for those 4 years and older.)

Please come and enjoy the activities when you’re here! From the sky-cycle to the midair slider, and the carillon (bell) that juts out of over the sea, SEA DRAGOON will provide you with the opportunity to experience breathtaking views with outdoor activity in exhilarating fashion. (The Athletic Course costs 3,500 yen per adult.)

[SEA DRAGOON]
Address: Fukuoka City, Higashi Ward, Saitozaki 18-26
Admission: Please check the below link to confirm admissions costs.
https://www.seadragoon.jp/ 

Located right next to the Fukuoka PayPay Dome you will find the [teamLab Forest Fukuoka – SBI Securities] unique interactive art exhibit. This is teamLab’s permanent Fukuoka installation. 

Not only in Japan, but in New York, London, Paris, Singapore, and Hong Kong, teamLab has become renowned for their exhibits and permanent installations, and in Fukuoka you will find yourself entranced by the beautiful world of their art. The photos below give you an idea of what the interior is like! 

In one portion of the exhibit, you can use your smartphone to interact with the art projected onto the walls, and in others you can affect the exhibit by coordinating your movements with other exhibit-goers. Adults and children alike can find much to enjoy here!

[teamLab Forest Fukuoka – SBI Securities]
Address: Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Jigyohama 2-2-6 BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA 5F
Admissions: For more information on admission fees, please consult the homepage
https://e-zofukuoka.com/teamlabforest/ 

The BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA building located to the side of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome is the country’s first entertainment facility of its kind in Japan, featuring attractions ranging from the its excellent views to its virtual activities and even a sports museum. 

Here, we’d like to introduce our readers to one of the most fun activities- the rooftop [Zekkei Brothers SMBC Nikko Securities]! 

①  [SubeZO] An Exhilarating Slide from 40 Meters Up!

At a height of 40 meters off ground level, this slide wraps around the wall of the E・ZO building, coming in at a total length of 100 meters long. In Japan, you can only experience this kind of thrill at BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA!

Slide while taking in an excellent view of the Momochihama neighborhood! When the weather is nice, the sunlight is quite refreshing as well. Then, once you’ve passed the straight portion of the slide, you’ll find yourself in a pitch-black twisting portion. The interplay of light and sound helps to enhance the feeling of speed. 

②  [TsuriZO] A Thrilling Rooftop Rail Coaster! 

The course starts from 60 meters up, the tallest point on the E・ZO building! The rail coaster takes one rider at a time, and they hang from the rail as they zip along the rooftop. Even at a length of 300 meters, the course is bound to keep you excited throughout! 

Excellent views of the Genkai Sea, views of the normally hidden roof of the PayPay Dome, and thrilling dips and slopes on the coaster combine for a most memorable ride. Come down to the E・ZO building to experience this exclusive and exhilarating world of possibilities. 

③  [NoboZO] A Rooftop Rock Climbing Wall 50 Meters off the Surface! 

On the roof there are two wall patterns: climbing and bouldering. After having a rope fastened to the top of the climbing wall, participants scale the 9 meters to the top while aiming for the summit. The top is over 50 meters over the surface! Get to the top and you’ll feel like a climber on the top of a sheer bluff. 

The bouldering wall on the other hand sits at only 3 meters and can be climbed without equipment, making it perfect for children. 

[BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA]
Address: Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Jigyohama 2-2-6 
Admissions: For more information on admission fees, please consult the homepage
https://e-zofukuoka.com/ 

Following Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa, the Autumn festival Hojoya is considered to be one of the three major festivals in Hakata, held “In honor of all living things with a prevention on killing, and respect for the fruits of the harvest*. 

The stalls deal in all sorts of merchandise. Food, sweets, and stalls selling wares limited to Hojoya are all staples of the festival. There are even haunted houses and show tents for you to visit! In terms of things unique to Hojoya one can purchase fresh ginger as well as yakimochi, a kind of grilled confection. 

[Hojoya at Hakozaki Shrine]
Address: Fukuoka City, Higashi Ward, Hakozaki 1-22-1
Information: For more information please consult the homepage:
https://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/omatsuri/houjoya/ 

To say that the Softbank Hawks are the pride of Fukuoka would be an understatement. This team is based out of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome and commands the biggest audiences in the entire Pacific League. 

While the games themselves are lively and full of action, by the ballfield there are additionally tons of different ways to enjoy the game! For example there are many types of seating arrangements, including sofa seats, seats with tables, and even luxury seating.

There are plenty of other events to take part in as well. We recommend the [Taka no Saiten], translating to “Hawks Festival”! Here you can acquire replicas of the uniforms that the players are wearing to the game that day, allowing you to cheer the team on as one. 

Longstanding fans and people new to the sport can both enjoy the merriment and liveliness of these matches, so please come on by!

[Fukuoka PayPay Dome]
Address: Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Jigyouhama 2-2-2
Information: For more information please consult the homepage
https://www.softbankhawks.co.jp/stadium/