It often rains during your trip. Many famous sightseeing spots in Fukuoka seem to be outdoors, but in fact there are also many indoor spots close to the station. There are plenty of commercial facilities, amusement parks, and shopping malls where you can enjoy the whole day even on rainy days. If you are looking for places to play in Fukuoka regardless of the weather, please refer to this article!
Leisure facilities for children
NOBOLT
With an area of approximately 4,000 ㎡ and a height of approximately 20 m, it is one of the largest indoor sports and athletic facilities in Japan. A total of 16 types of attractions are available, including attractions for physical enjoyment and athletic areas for children. From Japan’s first attraction to trampolines and bouldering, this is a spot where visitors can enjoy themselves all day long.
Since it is expected to be crowded on weekends and holidays, advance reservations from the official website are recommended. You can also see the details of the playground equipment and fees in the facility, so please check it out.
Official website: https://www.taito.co.jp/NOBOLT
BOSS E-ZO FUKUOKA
Entertainment facility opened in 2020. It features attractions with spectacular views and an interactive museum by TeamLab, offering unique experiences. Located next to MIZUHO PayPay Dome FUKUOKA, it is about a 15-minute walk from Toujinmachi Subway Station.
There is also a wide variety of restaurants, offering ramen, tempura sushi, and more. We recommend visiting the adjacent “MIZUHO PayPay Dome FUKUOKA” together with baseball games and other events.
For more information on facilities and fees, please visit the official website below.
Official website: https://e-zofukuoka.com/
Marine World Uminonakamichi（マリンワールド海の中道）
This is a large aquarium located in Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. The highlight of this aquarium is the dolphin and sea lion shows, which are very popular among children. The venue, with Hakata Bay in the background, offers a sense of freedom, as if the pool and the sea are connected. A sea lion stage is set up right in front of the bleachers, so you can enjoy the performances right in front of you.
The large aquarium that runs through the first and second floors of the museum is also famous, and is quite impressive even for adults. The adorable sea otters that move around freely are also a must-see.
The museum also has stores and restaurants, so you can spend the whole day there. On sunny days, a picnic at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is also recommended.
Official website: https://marine-world.jp/
Indoor facilities for your enjoyment
Kyushu Railway History Museum（九州鉄道記念館）
The Kyushu Railway History Museum is located in Mojiko Retro District. It features a red brick building constructed in the Meiji era. The museum exhibits nostalgic trains, railway-related materials, and models.
There are a variety of indoor exhibits and hands-on experiences, including a driving simulator and the Kyushu Railway Grand Panorama. In particular, the Meiji era train is a must-see. The 1909 train on display is surrounded by dolls of passengers and conductors from that era, making it a very realistic space to enjoy.
On a fine day, visit the “Miniature Train Park” where you can experience riding on five miniature trains. You can experience driving the trains in authentic facilities equipped with signals and other equipment. The mini trains are modeled after trains still running in JR Kyushu today, making this facility a must-see for railroad enthusiasts.
Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History（北九州市立いのちのたび博物館）
Renovated in March 2023, it is one of the largest museums dealing with natural history and history in western Japan. It is conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from “Space World Station”. Inside the museum, the history of life from the birth of the earth to the present is constantly on display, and special and special exhibitions are also held.
The museum features a realistic view of the world of living creatures, including a diorama of a moving dinosaur and large stuffed specimens of living creatures. The dinosaur skeletons are particularly impressive! Enjoy learning about the evolution of life through these highly entertaining exhibits.
Convenient commercial facility directly connected to the station
Tenjin Chikagai (Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall) （天神地下街）
This underground shopping center is directly connected to the Tenjin and Tenjin-Minami subway stations. Tenjin is said to be Kyushu’s largest downtown area, and the Tenjin Underground Mall has approximately 150 stores. Access to Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport is also very convenient, as you can go directly to them by subway.
The inside of the basement, designed in the image of 19th century Europe, has a retro atmosphere with cobblestone floors. There are a variety of fashion stores, as well as gourmet food, book, and cosmetic stores. It is a great place to come with friends, or as a couple or family.
Fukuoka Parco（福岡パルコ）
This shopping mall is directly connected to Tenjin Station. There are floors from the first basement to the eighth floor, and more than 150 stores are located here. There are many stores for young people, and there are many fashion-related tenants.
The museum also has stores featuring Rilakkuma and ONE PIECE, so it is recommended for anime and character lovers. Of course, there are also restaurants and cafes, so you can enjoy eating along with shopping. The Tenjin underground shopping mall is also just a short walk away, so why not spend a whole day shopping in the Tenjin area on a rainy day?
JR Hakata City Amu Plaza Hakata（JR博多シティ アミュプラザ博多）
In addition to restaurants and shopping areas, this commercial complex includes a movie theater, rooftop garden, and cultural facilities. The facility is directly connected to Hakata Station and sells a wide range of souvenirs, making it a great spot to visit before returning from a trip.
The restaurant floor is very large and offers all kinds of restaurants, including not only Japanese and Western cuisine, but also cafes and izakaya (Japanese style pubs). The rooftop garden is also a hidden gem. It has beautiful flowerbeds with seasonal flowers, as well as viewing and photo spots for children to enjoy.
Large commercial facility forshopping
Canal City Hakata（キャナルシティ博多）
On an area of about 43,500 square meters, this complex offers a variety of things to do, including a shopping mall, movie theater, theater, amusement facility, and hotel. It is 3 minutes from Kushida-jinja-mae Station, but you can also walk there from Hakata Station.
In the center of Canal City Hakata, lined with colorful buildings, runs a canal approximately 180 meters long. The waterfront stage will be the site of events by performers and live music, as well as a dynamic fountain show featuring 3D projection mapping, a must-see.
Bayside Place Hakata（ベイサイドプレイス博多）
With many events, shopping and dining, adults and children alike can enjoy shopping and dining all day long at this complex. There are events that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons, such as cherry blossoms in spring, fireworks and beer garden in summer, Halloween in fall, and illumination in winter. The bus is convenient for getting there from Hakata Station, and it takes about 30 minutes.
You can see Hakata Bay from the observation room of the Hakata Port Tower, which is free of admission. When illuminated at night, the Port Tower has a romantic atmosphere and is recommended for dates.
At Bayside Place Hakata, there are many tricks to enjoy no matter how many times you come, such as gourmet food, music events, and hands-on classes for children. The aquarium with its huge cylindrical tank is also very popular among children. There are also bathing facilities, so we recommend taking a bath to refresh yourself before leaving.
Hakata Riverain Mall（博多リバレインモール）
Hakata Riverain Mall is a large complex that includes not only shopping and dining, but also hotels, museums, and theaters. It is directly connected to Nakasu Kawabata Subway Station in the center of Hakata, making transportation convenient and ideal for rainy days.
The restaurants and stores are generally stylish and geared toward adults, but the Fukuoka Anpanman Children’s Museum in Mall is also located here, making it a very popular spot for children. This is a great spot to visit with the family or for a date night for adults.
