Fukuoka Sightseeing

Fukuoka Sightseeing

Top 5 attractions in Fukuoka you must see !!!

1. Fukuoka Tower

• 234 metre tall
• It is the tallest seaside tower in Japan.
• Took 14 months to build and cost ¥6,000,000,000 !!!
• The tower has a triangular cross-section which is covered with 8000 half-mirrors.
• Thats why it has the nickname ‘Mirror Sail’.
• The tower is designed to withstand magnitude 7 earthquakes and winds of a speed up to 65m/s.  !!!
• Despite this, the strongest recorded earthquake has been only magnitude 6, and the strongest winds being at 49m/s.
• The tower was a major feature in the 1994 Japanese film Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla

2. Fukuoka Dome

• Fukuoka Dome serves as the headquarters of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
• In 2005, Yahoo! Japan bought the stadium’s naming rights for 5 years term, and renamed it Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome
• Has a capacity of 35695 spectators
• Japan’s first stadium with a retractable roof.
• Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Eagles, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Ayumi Hamasaki and Billy Joel have performed at the Dome.

3.  Marine World ( Umino – Nakamichi )

• Opened in 1989 in the “Cultural Resort Area” of the nationally operated Uminonakamichi Seaside Park.
• This aquarium focuses on the aquatic life of Tsushima’s warm current.
• The largest water tank, which holds 2,000 gallons of water, is for dolphin and sea lion shows.
• A panoramic water tank (Depth: 7 m, amount of water: 1400 gallons) is home to more than 120 sharks of 20 different kinds.
• There are over 70 large and small water tanks, including an outdoor whale pool (Diameter: 13m Depth: 15m, Water amount: 720 gallons).
• Offers fun exhibits with easy and simple explanations,  dolphin and sea lion shows,  live aqua show at the large panoramic tank,  home of the amazingly big sharks.
• This aquarium is surrounded by the ocean and flourishes because of it.

4.   Shikanoshima Beach

• Not to be confused with the Kyuka-mura Shikanoshima Beach on the outer tip of the pennisula which caters more towards families.
• You can see it when you are coming into Shikanoshima from the highway along the sandbar.
• Between July 1st and August 31st, there is a special neeting set up offshore to filter out trash and more importantly , jelly fish.
• Many people DO use the beach at other times, especially surfers, but risks( small chance ) being stung by them.
• Have Fun !!!

5. Hakozaki Shrine

• The annual Tamaseseri Festival (January 3) and the Hojoya Festival (September 12-18) attract many to visit the shrine.
• Hakozaki Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of the kami Hachiman.
• This shrine especially venerates the memories of Emperor Oijin, Empress Jingu and Tamayori-bime.
  
• It was founded in year 923.
• The Shrine was burned to ground during the first Mongol invasion.
• When the shrine was reconstructed, a calligraphy Tekikoku kofuku (敵国降伏) was put on the tower gate.