Fukuoka is Japan’s most underrated big city: compact, by the sea, two stops from its airport, and with arguably the best street food in the country. November is one of its best months — dry, mild, with autumn colours arriving in the temples. Here is how to build a stay around your sumo day.
Day 1: a sumo day
Start early with a stable’s morning training session, walk through the temple district of Hakata — Kushida Shrine, Shofukuji, Tochoji — and have lunch before heading to the Fukuoka Kokusai Center around 14:00. After the last bout, walk to Nakasu for dinner at the yatai. Details in our guides to morning practice and to the tournament timetable.
Evening: the yatai food stalls
Fukuoka is famous for its yatai, open-air food stalls that set up at dusk along the river in Nakasu and in Tenjin. Eight to ten people squeeze around each counter for ramen, yakitori, oden and mentaiko (spiced cod roe), with a beer or shochu. It’s friendly, but menus are in Japanese and etiquette matters: order a dish and a drink per person, don’t linger when people are waiting. A guided yatai tour takes care of that.
Fukuoka: Yatai Food Stalls Night Tour with Local Guide
Best food tour- Duration: about 3 h
- Price: from about $70
- Rating: 5/5
A local guide takes you to several stalls, orders the specialities and explains them. Ideal after a day at the sumo.
Check availability on GetYourGuide →Fukuoka: Nakasu Food Stall Private Guided Tour with Tastings
Private- Duration: 2–3 h
- Price: from about $93
- Rating: 4.7–4.8/5
The private version, for couples and small groups who want the guide to themselves.
Check availability on GetYourGuide →Day 2: Dazaifu, Ohori Park and ramen
Dazaifu Tenmangu, the great shrine dedicated to the god of learning, is 40 minutes from Tenjin by Nishitetsu train. Walk up its approach lined with shops selling umegae-mochi, admire the camphor trees and the Kengo Kuma-designed Starbucks, then visit the Kyushu National Museum next door. Back in town, stroll around Ohori Park and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle (Maizuru Park). In the evening, it’s time for Hakata tonkotsu ramen, the creamy pork-bone broth that made the city famous, or a motsunabe hot pot.
Day 3: a day trip in Kyushu
| Destination | Why go | Tour from |
|---|---|---|
| Beppu & Yufuin | The « hells » of Beppu and the hot-spring village of Yufuin | about $47 |
| Mount Aso & Takachiho Gorge | Volcanic landscapes and a mythical gorge you can explore by boat | about $48 |
| Yufuin no Mori train | A scenic train ride to Yufuin and Beppu, with Dazaifu | about $74 |
| Nagasaki | History, Dejima and the peace park; 1.5 h by train | on your own |
From Fukuoka: Nyoirinji Temple, Beppu Hells & Yufuin
Best day trip- Duration: 1 day
- Price: from about $47
- Rating: 4.7/5 (300 reviews)
A coach day trip combining the frog temple of Nyoirinji, the colourful hot springs of Beppu (tickets included) and the village of Yufuin.
Check availability on GetYourGuide →Mt. Aso & Takachiho Gorge Tour with Optional Boat Ride
Nature- Duration: about 10 h
- Price: from about $48
- Rating: 4.7/5 (700+ reviews)
Volcanic plateaus of Aso and the basalt cliffs of Takachiho. Note: following an accident, access to the Aso crater is restricted and the volcano is viewed from a distance.
Check availability on GetYourGuide →Fukuoka in November: weather and seasons
Expect mostly dry days with highs around 15–19 °C at the start of the month and nights around 10 °C at the end. The autumn leaves turn red from mid to late November, at their best in Dazaifu, at Komyozenji temple and in the gardens of Rakusuien. Training rooms and evenings at the yatai can be chilly: bring a warm layer.
Where to stay
- Hakata Station: practical for the Shinkansen, the airport and the bus to the sumo.
- Nakasu / Tenjin: food stalls, shopping, nightlife, buses to the venue from Tenjin.
- Book early: hotels fill up on tournament weekends.
Getting to Fukuoka
Fukuoka is about 5 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen (or about 2 hours by plane), 2.5 hours from Shin-Osaka and about 1 hour from Hiroshima. Fukuoka Airport is just 5 minutes by subway from Hakata Station, with direct flights from Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, Bangkok and Singapore — handy if you are combining Japan with Korea.
Read also:Fukuoka Kokusai Center: access, food and tips
Frequently asked questions
Is Fukuoka worth visiting in November?
Yes: the weather is mild and dry, autumn leaves appear in late November, and the Kyushu Basho brings the top sumo wrestlers to town.
How many days do you need in Fukuoka?
Two to three days are enough to see the sumo, the yatai, Hakata and Dazaifu; add a day for a trip to Beppu, Yufuin or Mount Aso.
How far is Dazaifu from Fukuoka?
About 40 minutes by Nishitetsu train from Tenjin, or by direct bus from Hakata Station.
What food is Fukuoka famous for?
Hakata tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), motsunabe hot pot, yakitori and, during the sumo season, chanko-nabe.
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