5 Recommended Spots to Experience Nature in Fukuoka

1. Kanmon Straits and Hayatomonoseto

Honshu, the main island, and Kyushu, are separated by a thin channel. It\'s currently used as a waterway to connect the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea and is a major point in marine traffic. The narrowest point of the strait where the current is also fastest is called Hayatomonoseto. It\'s only 700m wide. You can look up at the Kanmon Bridge that connects Honshu and Kyushu, or gaze at the huge tankers and other ships of various sizes crossing through. Some recommended spots are Mekari Park on the Kyushu side, and Mimosusogawa Park on the Honshu side. If you can go a little further away, from the summit of Hinoyama Park, you can gaze at the sight of the Kanmon Straits below and the Sea of Japan stretching into the Seto Inland Sea.

2. Ohori Park and Ohori Pond

This park, almost smack-dab in the center of the city of Fukuoka, is known as an oasis in the middle of the chaos of the city. It\'s also famous for the pond that takes up more than 50% of the grounds, and is one of the leading parks in the country for water scenery. Inside the park, there\'s a Japanese garden and a wild bird grove. The three islands floating in the pond are connected by 4 bridges, so it\'s perfect for walks. There are swan boats and row boats, as well as "amenbo boats" in the shape of pond skaters available for rental. You can use these to leisurely enjoy the scenery and have a lovely time.

3. Nokonoshima

This island is just a ten minute ferry ride away from Meinohama. It\'s a small island with a perimeter of around 12km, and you can enjoy the beautiful ocean and the seasonal flowers all year round. Nokonoshima Island Park is famous for Fukuoka flora. There are always beautiful flowers in bloom, including rape and cherry blossoms in spring, sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn, and daffodils in winter. It\'s also popular as an ocean swimming spot in the summer. The Nokonoshima campground and swimming area that\'s open from May to September offers lodging in beach huts and bungalows.

Nokonoshima Island Park costs 1,000 JPY to enter for adults over high school age
Nokonoshima Campground costs 1,200 JPY for a day-trip swimming fee for adults over high school age

4. Oshima

Oshima, also called Chikuzen Oshima, is a small island with a perimeter of about 15km that nonetheless is mostly covered in mountain forests and other wilderness. You can enjoy sea fishing into a fish preserve (reservations required) and sea kayaking at Umingu Oshima, a facility for marine-related experiences. There\'s also Yume no Sayoshima, which is a small island that has a beautiful contrast of vermilion torii gates planted in the sea with a backdrop of pine trees. Oshima has plenty to see!
From Togo Station on the JR Kagoshima Main Line, you can take a bus for 20 minutes to Kouno Minato Wharf and take a ferry for about 25 minutes. It takes a little time to get there, but once you are, you\'ll be able to fully enjoy the rich nature abundant on the island and in the ocean.

5. Shikanoshima

This island is connected to Kyushu by a sand reef, and is right at the entrance of Hakata Bay. You can access it by bus or car, as well as a 30 minute ferry ride from Hakata Port.
This island\'s biggest point is how beautiful the ocean is. There are diving spots on the east coast like Shirose, Kurose, and Akase, and you might be able to meet colorful schools of tropical fish or seahorses in the sea! One of Fukuoka\'s unique points might be that you can see such beautiful ocean so close to the city.

Fukuoka is one of Japan\'s leading cities, but nearby there\'s plenty of lush nature. If you stretch your legs a little, you can get your fill of nature!