Fukuoka divides naturally between the Hakata district (old town, temple, shrine, ramen) and the Momochi seafront (Fukuoka Tower, City Museum, modern waterfront). The Ohori Park and Fukuoka Castle area bridges the two and is the best green space in the city.
In Hakata, Kushida Shrine is the city's spiritual centre and home to the year-round display of the Yamakasa festival float. Tōchō-ji houses Japan's largest wooden Buddha with the added attraction of an underground tunnel. Canal City Hakata nearby offers an unusual piece of festival architecture with a reliable ramen stadium.
In the central park area, Fukuoka Castle ruins and Ohori Park connect seamlessly, with the Fukuoka Art Museum on the lake shore. On the seafront, Fukuoka Tower gives the best views and the adjacent Fukuoka City Museum holds the famous gold Han seal.