Fukuoka, Metropolitan capital in Kyushu, Japan.
This coastal city on the island of Kyushu stretches from the harbor facing open water to residential areas inland, with business districts, university campuses, and industrial zones. Several rivers cross through the built-up area, dividing the space into separate districts that each have different functions and atmospheres.
Two medieval settlements, the merchant quarter of Hakata and the castle district of Fukuoka, existed side by side for centuries before joining at the end of the 19th century. After heavy destruction during the Second World War, the city was rebuilt entirely in the decades after 1945 and grew into the primary metropolis of western Kyushu.
Every evening, small open-air food stalls line the riverbanks, where locals gather on stools to eat noodle bowls and grilled skewers. Throughout the year, religious parades move through the streets, with groups carrying portable shrines on their shoulders while crowds look on.
Most international visitors arrive at the airport west of downtown, which connects directly by subway and offers flights to many destinations across Asia. Within the city, several subway lines and bus routes link all major districts and places of interest.
Beneath the Tenjin district lies a sprawling underground shopping area with over 150 stores, spanning several city blocks and connecting directly to subway stations. Visitors can walk dry routes between train stops, department stores, and restaurants regardless of the weather outside.
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