The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in Fukuoka, Japan

Mountain, Hotel or Restaurant! 10 best spots in Fukuoka with a beautiful night view Fukuoka prefecture is a cosmopolitan area with the population of more than 5 million. The high density of residential areas, motorways, and high-rise buildings offer great night views. Here we show you popular spots for a night view in Fukuoka. Why don’t you include one of them in your sightseeing trip?

1． Sarakura Yama

This is the most famous spot for night view in Fukuoka. The nigh view from the top of this mountain is breathtaking. You can get to the top of the mountain by the 1100m long cable car and then by the slope car for another three mininutes.

The observation deck at 662m above the sea level offers you a night view of Kitakyushu city and even Kanmon Bridge and Shimonoseki when the sky is clear. The night view was selected as one of “New top three Japanese night views” in 2003. Lights of the industrial areas produce a fantastic scenery at night. You will be impressed with this night view of the sea, Wakato Bridge and the factory lights.

2． Aburayama Katae Tenbodai

Aburayama is the 597m high mountain, located south of Fukuoka city. It’s popular among locals as it’s close to the city center. The view from the Katae Observation deck on the hillside is amazing. You have a panoramic view over Fukuoka city center, Hakata Port and Fukuoka Tower.

You can see also cars on the motorways and airplanes taking off from and landing to Fukuoka Airport. There are benches and lights at the observation deck. It gets busy on weekends and the parking space may get full. We recommend you to get there before dark.

3． Atago jinja

photo by umeyama102   /   embedded from Instagram

This shrine, one of the Atago shrines, is located on the small hill 60m above the sea level. It’s one of the oldest shrines in Fukuoka and people visit the shrine wishing for a good relationship or love. The shrine is one of the most popular night view spots in Fukuoka city. You can get to the view spot by taking up the stairs next to the parking.

From this spot, you have a view of Fukuoka Tower, office buildings, residential areas, motorways and Hakata Bay. Many people visit this shrine for the view. There are enough street lights and benches, so it’s safe to visit even at late night. The hill around the shrine is famous for cherry blossoms in spring and colored leaves in autumn. You can enjoy both night view and cherry blossoms/autumn color if you are lucky!

4． Mojiko Retro Tenbositsu

photo by jeon_seong_bin_   /   embedded from Instagram

Many buildings from the Taisho to Showa eras remain in the neighborhood of JR Mojiko station. The exotic townscape attracts many tourists. “Mojiko Retro Tenbositsu” is located at the 31st floor of “Retro Highmart”, a high-rise apartment building designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurokawa in the area called Mojiko Retro.

The glass-walled observation room located at 103m high offers a view over Kanmon Straits and streets of Mojiko Retro. The night view is even better especially from the end of November to the middle of February when an illumination event is held. The best time of the day to visit the observation room is between the sunset time when the sky and the sea becomes red colored and the time when lights start to be switched on.

5． Komenoyama Tenbo Hiroba

photo by haruo_osakana   /   embedded from Instagram

This spot is a popular spot, not too far from the city center of Fukuoka. You have a 200 degree panoramic view of Fukuoka city, Hakata Bay, Sasaguri Town and Onojo city from the observation deck located at 594m high Mount Komenoyama.

Access by public transport may be difficult but the night view from this spot is fantastic. You can enjoy the view from inside a car as there is no fences of guardrails blocking the view. It’s nice in cold winter night! There is also a bench at the observation area, if you want to have an even nicer view. You could also lie down on grass to relax and enjoy the view.

 
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6． Night view of factories in Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu is famous for Yawata Steel Works which were registered as one of the Modern Industrial Heritage Sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. This city led Japan’s industrialization and used to be one of the four major industrial zones in Japan. Recently factories along the coast are getting famous for night-view.

You can have a view over factories from hills around the city such as Sarakura Yama or Takato Yama, but we recommend you to see them from a boat. There is a cruising boat showing a night view of factories and the city. The cruising tour operated by Kanmon Kisen has a navigator on board. You will not forget this great night view of factories from the sea.

→Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in North Kyushu, Fukuoka, Japan

7． Koura Taisha

photo by mika_oct25   /   embedded from Instagram

Koura Taisha is a more than 1600 years old shrine located on the top of Mount Koura. Historically the governors of this area visited this shrine and still now many people visit here for praying. The road to this shrine is a popular driving path and many people drive at night for the view.

You have a view over Kurume city and Torisu area from the observation deck behind the shrine. You can access to the observation deck through the stairs next to the parking. If it’s not too late night, you will see lighted lanterns. If you come in early evening, you can visit the shrine first and then enjoy the night view.

→Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Kurume, Fukuoka

8． Shiouji Kenmin no Mori

photo by shimi____   /   embedded from Instagram

“Shiouji Kenmin no Mori” covers approximately 342ha of Mt. Shiouji. It is popular for cherry blossoms in spring time and colored trees in autumn. It’s also s spot for night view. The access is easy: only 15 min by car from Dazaifu Temmangu.

There are a few view points along. You can enjoy a night view from inside of a car but walk up to the view spot from the parking is even better. You can see lights of Dazaifu, Kurume and Torisu underneath. It’s not a very well-known spot. So it’s not very busy even on weekends. You can visit Dazaifu Temmangu and Kyushu National Museum during day, come here for night-view and then soak in a spa in Futsukaichi.

9． Takatoyama Park

This is a park on top of 124m high Mt. Takatoyama. It’s a very famous night view spot in Kitakyushu. The view from here is registered as a “Japan’s night view heritage”. The park has an observation deck which has lights and toilet facilities. You can see the view of Wakato Bridge and lights of factories and city from the observation deck.

You see warm orange lights mainly. It’s like a picture with the sea, city, factories and the bridge. It’s easy to access from the city center.

10． Fukuoka Tower Observation Room

This 234m tower is covered with 8000 half mirrors. It’s the highest tower along the sea in Japan. Lifts takes you from the 1st floor to the observatory room located at 123m above the ground in 70 seconds. Nothing blocks 360 degree panoramic view.

You see cars on the motorways right underneath the tower and Hakata Bay and Fukuoka city center in distance. You may say this is the best night view in Fukuoka. The tower itself is illuminated in different colors in different seasons. Enjoy the view of the illuminated tower after enjoying the night view listed in “100 Best night views” from the observation room.

Enjoy beautiful night views in Fukuoka!

Fukuoka ken has many nice cities with the sea and mountains. There are many old shrines, temples, touristic attractions and many night view spots too. We listed here view spots that locals usually go. Spend great time with your partner, friends or families at one of these spots in Fukuoka!