You may not find Susakiuramachi on a map, but it is one of the best spots to stay in Fukuoka to be close to everything. Find excellent hotels and restaurants here and even a few yatai food stalls. Savor authentic Japanese specialties of hot pot, ramen, pork bone soup and local beer while you sit next to a handful of other diners at these informal counters.
The district of Susakiuramachi is centrally located between Tenjin and Kego, two of Fukuoka’s most popular areas. In the district, look for the modern Our Lady of Victory Cathedral, with its very tall and equally modern belfry standing a short distance away. Walk a few minutes southeast to the Iwataya department store.
For more shopping, head northeast to Tenjin’s numerous malls. The Tenjin Underground Mall features about 150 stores in a bright and pleasant setting, perfect for getting out of cold or rainy weather. It also connects underground to high-end stores such is Mitsukoshi and Daimaru and a subway station. You could spend the whole day shopping without going outside. Tenjin Core offers even more shopping, especially popular with teenage girls and young women.
Just east of Tenjin is Nakasu Island, known for its yatai food stalls and red-light district. Next to the island look for the Hakataza Theater, the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and the Kushida Shrine.
About 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) west of Susakiuramachi is beautiful Ohori Park. Spend an afternoon here walking on the pretty stone bridges leading to islands in the large lake that once formed part of a moat around 17th-century Fukuoku Castle, whose ruins are still visible. Walk south of the lake to visit Fukuoka Art Museum, with 11th-century Buddhist sculptures and the very large Gokoku Shrine, shining with gold.
Visit Kego Park, Kego Shrine and the Solaria Plaza shopping center and movie theater, highlights of the Kego district southwest of Susakiuramachi. Fukuoka has excellent bus and subway transportation systems, making it very easy to get between districts. Even Fukuoka Yafuoku! Dome, the city’s popular sports and concert venue, is just a short ride away from Susakiuramachi.
