Stylish stone bridges lead to the islands decorating the lake in a central park filled with museums, gardens and shrines.
A vast and picturesque lake adorned with charming islets and traditional pavilions stands at the heart of Ohori Park, a leafy haven in central Fukuoka. Around the water’s edges is a walking path, with wooden benches and grassy patches. Explore the rest of the park for its fascinating museums and scenic Japanese gardens.
Join the joggers keeping fit on the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) walking path, as you make your way around the large lake. Watch locals go by, walking their pets, skateboarding and cycling. Rest on one of the elegant benches while enjoying excellent vistas of the water.
Purchase food and drink for a picnic with your family. Make your way along the impressive stone bridges to reach the three forested islands in a long line across the center of the lake. You can also stroll out to the traditional red pavilion standing over the water for some of the best views of the park and the extraordinary birds that migrate from Siberia in winter.
Head southeast to the Fukuoka Art Museum, whose permanent collection features Buddhist sculptures dating from the 11th century. Nearby stands the immense Gokoku Shrine, with its golden temple structure.
Note that the site’s name is Japanese for moat. The park was inaugurated in the late 1920s although it originally served as a moat for the 17th-century Fukuoka Castle. Visit the castle ruins today in Maizuru Park.
Most of the grounds are free to access at all times. There is an entrance fee for the Japanese Garden, which opens Tuesday through Sunday from morning to late afternoon.
Ohori Park is just west of the center of Fukuoka. Take public transportation and get out at the Ohorikoen stop on the Kuko Line. You can also ride a bus to a stop along the park’s northern boundary. While in the area, visit neighboring attractions such as the Fukuoka City Science Museum, Maizuru Park and the Korokan Ruins Museum.
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