Ohori Park and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle form one of the most pleasant and historically interesting green areas in the city. Located just a few minutes from the lively Tenjin district, this area combines nature, history, and urban views. The large artificial lake of Ohori Park, with its islands connected by elegant bridges, is one of the favorite spots for locals to walk, run, or simply relax. Not far away are the remains of Fukuoka Castle, built in the 17th century by the Kuroda clan: today you can still see stone walls, gates, and some defensive structures that hint at the scale of the original fortress. Visiting these two areas in the same itinerary is one of the best ways to discover a quieter and more historical side of Fukuoka.
The names Ohori Park and Maizuru Park actually refer to two parts of the same large green area in central Fukuoka. Ohori Park usually refers to the park surrounding the large artificial lake, while Maizuru Park includes the fortification area and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. In practice, however, the two parks are directly connected and can be visited seamlessly as one large complex of parks and historical sites.
aerial view of the area (credits: Fumio Ashimoto)
Ohori Park is one of the most popular parks in Fukuoka and lies immediately west of Maizuru Park, forming in practice a single large green area. The park is centered around a large artificial lake, created at the beginning of the 17th century as part of the defensive system of Fukuoka Castle. The name “Ohori” literally means “large moat”. A path about 2 km long runs all around the lake and is widely used for jogging and walking. Three bridges cross the water and connect several small central islands. The park layout, developed in the 1920s, was inspired by the West Lake of Hangzhou in China.
Ohori Park (credits: Thomas Gittel)
There are also several cafés around the lake, including a very popular Starbucks. In some seasons it is possible to rent pedal boats and small rowboats. The area becomes particularly popular during the cherry blossom season in spring. On the southern side of the park, near the Fukuoka Art Museum, there is also the Ohori Japanese Garden, a traditional landscape garden (entrance about 250¥).
Just east of Ohori Park lies Maizuru Park, a large urban park occupying the site where Fukuoka Castle once stood, one of the most important castles in Kyushu during the Edo period. The castle was built in the early 17th century by the powerful Kuroda clan, who ruled the region for more than two centuries.
Today, what remains of the original complex are mainly the stone walls, several defensive gates, and the foundations of the towers. Although the main buildings have disappeared, the size of the fortifications still gives an idea of the scale of the castle, which was among the largest in western Japan.
Maizuru Park
The park is also one of the most popular places in the city during the cherry blossom season in spring, when hundreds of sakura trees attract many visitors. Thanks to its proximity to Ohori Park, Maizuru Park and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle are a natural stop for anyone wishing to combine a walk in the greenery with a visit to one of the city’s most important historical sites.
Maizuru Park
The castle area is now integrated into Maizuru Park and can be easily explored on foot through paths that climb along the old walls and lead to several viewpoints. The two places most sought after by visitors are the platform of the former main keep (tenshudai) and the watchtower Tamon Yagura.
View from Tenshudai
Around the lake of Ohori Park there are several cafés where you can stop for a drink or a snack with a view of the water. They are a good option for a break during a walk in the park. Among them we recommend & LOCALS Ohori Park Shop on the south side, Starbucks Ohori Park on the east side, Cafe Aquam inside the Fukuoka Art Museum, and Royal Garden Cafe Ohori Park on the north side.
The area of Ohori Park, Maizuru Park, and the ruins of Fukuoka Castle lies just west of the city center and is easily accessible by subway. The most convenient station is Ohori Koen Station on the Kuko Line, about a 5-minute walk from the lake. Another option is Akasaka Station, also on the Kuko Line, from which the castle fortifications and the eastern side of Maizuru Park can be reached with a walk of about 10–15 minutes.
If you are staying in the Tenjin district, you can also reach the area on foot in about 20–25 minutes or by bicycle. Once there, the entire area is easy to explore on foot: paths connect Ohori Park, Maizuru Park, the ruins of Fukuoka Castle, and the Fukuoka Art Museum, making it possible to visit all of these attractions within the same itinerary.
