If you are going to go sightseeing, you want to incorporate into your itinerary things that you can only see and experience during that time of the year. In this issue, we will introduce the situation, events, and recommended spots in March in Fukuoka for those who are interested in such things.
About Fukuoka in March
Atmospheric temperature
Average temperatures in Fukuoka in March range from about 7 to 16 degrees Celsius, gradually warming up as the month progresses. During the daytime, you will often feel the warmth of spring, but mornings and evenings can still be chilly. Especially at the beginning of the month, the cold of winter remains, and toward the end of the month, the weather becomes more spring-like.
Events
March is the season when various spring events begin in Fukuoka. This is the time when spring flowers such as cherry blossoms, tulips, and apricot blossoms bloom, attracting many tourists to see the beautiful spring scenes. As the weather gradually warms up, it is also a time when outside events can be held comfortably in the warm sunshine.
Travel
March is a good time for sightseeing in Fukuoka. This is a good time to visit historical shrines and temples, and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is especially popular. In addition, visitors can enjoy shopping and dining in areas such as Tenjin and Hakata in the center of Fukuoka City, where they can also enjoy seasonal foods.
March Fashion
When visiting Fukuoka in March, a layered style is recommended to cope with the temperature difference between day and night. Light jackets and cardigans are appropriate for the relatively warm days, but coats and sweaters are necessary for the cooler mornings and evenings. In addition, since there are rainy days, it is convenient to carry a folding umbrella.
All you can eat strawberries of various varieties! Strawberry Picking Spots
Fukuoka is famous for its various delicious gourmet foods, and strawberries are one of Fukuoka’s specialties. Fukuoka is one of the nation’s top producers of strawberries, and famous Fukuoka brand strawberries such as “Amaou” are sold in the city.
Therefore, there are many strawberry farms in Fukuoka where you can enjoy strawberry picking from December to May. Basically, reservations are required for strawberry picking, so please check the information on the official website of each farm.
Strawberry Fields Chikushino Strawberry Farm （ストロベリーフィールズ 筑紫野いちご農園）
Strawberry Fields Chikushino Strawberry Farm, located about 40 minutes by car from Fukuoka City, is a farm where visitors can also enjoy sweets made from strawberries. About five different varieties of strawberries are grown here, so visitors can compare different kinds of strawberries depending on the season. The farm is closed on Mondays, and strawberry picking is by reservation only, so please make a reservation through the official website.
It also has a sweets store that sells cakes made with strawberries and other seasonal fruits, as well as baked goods, jams, and other items. There is also a café space where you can eat in, making it perfect for use before or after strawberry picking.
Official website: https://strawberryfields.jp/
Lion Kajitsuen（らいおん果実園）
Located about 10 minutes by car from Nishitetsu Chikushi Station, Lion Kajitsuen is a strawberry specialty orchard where visitors can compare many varieties of strawberries. Strawberry picking is usually held from December to May, and reservations are required. Reservations are accepted online, so it is recommended to make a reservation as soon as you decide on a schedule.
Official website: https://www.lionkajitsuen.com
Shiraki no ichigo（白木のいちご）
Located a 15-minute walk from Misawa Station, this farm specializes in strawberries. You can enjoy plenty of large, ripe strawberries of various varieties. Reservations are accepted from two weeks in advance, so please check the official website and make a reservation to enjoy strawberry picking.
Official website: https://www.lionkajitsuen.com/english
Field of rape blossoms in spring
Spring is the time of year when many flowers are at their best. Generally speaking, cherry blossoms are the most famous spring flowers in Japan, but rape blossoms are also a seasonal flower that colors the city bright yellow.
Nonokonoshima Island Park （のこのしまアイランドパーク）
Nokonoshima Island Park, located on Nokonoshima Island, is one of Fukuoka’s most popular flower viewing spots. Nokonoshima Island is located in Hakata Bay and can be reached in about 10 minutes by ferry from the Meinohama Nokonoshima Ferry Terminal.
Nokonoshima Island Park is a nature park where a variety of flowers bloom throughout the four seasons. The park has restaurants, a coffee shop, a playground, an athletic field, a mini zoo, and many other places to play so that you can spend the whole day there.
The rape blossoms are at their best from late February to mid-April, and are popular every year as a spectacular spot where the blue of Hakata Bay and the yellow of the rape blossoms can be seen at the same time. In March, poppies and cherry blossoms also begin to bloom, making the area even more spectacular.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park（海の中道海浜公園）
A national park with a vast site, located right next to JR Uminonakamichi Station. In addition to a large garden, the park also has restaurants, cafes, various playgrounds, and places to interact with animals. Visitors can also rent bicycles, so it is recommended to use them to get around the large grounds as if you were cycling.
In the park, rape blossoms bloom beautifully until late March. Various other flowers, such as poppies, cherry blossoms, and tulips, are also in full bloom from March to April, adding color to the park.
I want to see it in March, too! Ume Spot
Plum blossoms are in full bloom around mid-February, but there are spots where you can view them even if you visit Fukuoka in March. Pretty white and pink plum blossoms will let you know that spring has arrived.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine（太宰府天満宮）
At Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a variety of plum trees are planted within the shrine and can be enjoyed until early March. These plum trees are valued as sacred trees because of their association with the shrine, and have become symbols of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
Sugawara Michizane, enshrined at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, is known as the god of learning. Since Michizane was fond of plum blossoms, many plum flowers are planted at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
Tsunashiki Tenmangu Shrine （綱敷天満宮）
Tsunashiki Tenmangu Shrine is located about a 10-minute walk from JR Shiida Station. Although there are approximately 1,000 ume trees, it is a hidden ume viewing spot that is surprisingly unknown to travelers.
During the period from mid-February to early March, when the best viewing time is from mid-February to early March, the “Shiida Ume Festival” is held every year. Events are also held on weekends, and you can feel the bustling atmosphere where local people gather.
