Conference organizers will find myriad opportunities for attendees to learn about cutting-edge technology from companies in the city and region, while incentive groups can enjoy offerings as varied as traditional craft experiences and gourmet food tours.
Welcome to Fukuoka.
Accessible and international
The airport is only six minutes by subway from Hakata Train Station, the nexus for the city’s convenient public transport system and other parts of Japan. This proximity to the station makes getting to other regions easy and efficient.
As one of Japan’s largest and most important ports, Fukuoka is the country’s sixth-largest city by population, and has a fast-growing economy.
Multilingual staff can be found at most large hotels and MICE facilities, and there are more than 39,000 hotel rooms in the city, so whatever your budget, you’ll find a hotel that suits your group.
This care for the urban environment and proximity to the ocean and mountains is reflected in the city’s efforts to be more sustainable. In December 2023, Fukuoka City joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, becoming the first municipality destination member in Japan.
The city continues to maintain the long-developed identity that makes it unique and ranks regularly among Japan’s most livable cities. I immediately noticed the convivial atmosphere on arrival, and the city’s responsible approach to development while considering residents and visitors makes Fukuoka a unique value proposition.
Top-quality facilities
Another large convention hall in the city is Hakata International Exhibition and Conference Center, which opened in 2021. It has two 3,000sqm multipurpose halls and 16 meeting rooms.
In downtown Fukuoka, the conference facility ACROS Fukuoka creates a green oasis through its unique “step garden” and can welcome conferences and meetings of various sizes.
International conference attendees are sure of a comfortable stay, too; I was impressed by the presence of international brand hotels, multilingual staff, and warm, local hospitality.
One international hotel is the oceanfront Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk, with 1,052 guestrooms and extensive F&B options. The centrally located five-star Grand Hyatt Fukuoka’s 372 rooms and banqueting/meeting facilities, meanwhile, are ideal for mid-sized conferences. Opened in 2023, The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka is one of the city’s newest hotels. It boasts 167 rooms, numerous dining venues, and banquet rooms, some of which are equipped with a large LED screen.
Diverse experiences and activities
Many of Fukuoka’s activities are unique to the city, and share a commitment to preserve the past while developing for the future.
Fukuoka has long been a site of shrines and temples, including the beautiful Tochoji Temple. It is said that the city is even home to one of Japan’s oldest Sumiyoshi Shrines, of which there are about two thousand branches around the country.
I caught a glimpse of the future, meanwhile, at teamLab Forest Fukuoka, a new kind of digital museum created by famed international art collective teamLab, which aims to cohesively synthesize art, technology, and nature. It was an unforgettable experience to wander the immersive environment, using my smartphone to “capture” animals, learn about them, and then “release” them back into the wild. For my next incentive trip, I will make use of the option to book the museum exclusively, for up to 200 guests.
For groups that want something more traditional, I recommend the Hakubyoga ink wash painting activity for groups of up to 40. While this experience can be carried out in virtually any setting, I was able to try it in the designated cultural property Takamiya Teien Saryou, a tea house, garden, and event space. Experiencing an ancient art in such a well-preserved setting was a rare joy, which was made all the more special thanks to the delicious Japanese fusion cuisine served prior to the activity.
Indeed, Fukuoka’s rich culinary culture can be found almost everywhere in the city, and due to the diversity of gourmet options, the city can meet a range of dietary requirements including vegan, halal, and allergies.
While dining at Kayanoya Restaurant, I was serenaded by music on traditional koto strings and shakuhachi flute. There was also an opportunity to learn about how the restaurant makes its high-quality dashi stock, which can be made to accommodate vegan guests.
Exploring the region
Outside the prefecture, to the south, the 17th century Kumamoto Castle is only 33 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train, and in the east lies Beppu, a long-established onsen town where cooking is often carried out using geothermal steam. Heading north, in less than an hour it’s possible to reach Hiroshima, the site of the Peace Memorial Museum and “floating torii gate” at Itsukushima Shrine, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. Even South Korea’s bustling port city of Busan is within reach thanks to a direct international ferry service of 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Access support
So, what are you waiting for? If you have a conference, meeting, or event you are considering holding in Japan, please get in touch with the Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau.
They will be only too pleased to help you bring your MICE event to Fukuoka City, and look forward to hearing from you!
Email: mpf@welcome-fukuoka.or.jp
