Fukuoka’s street food culture centres around its yatai – open-air food stalls which line the streets when dusk falls and open through to around 2am. Space is limited so it’s best not to linger: instead go yatai-hopping and sample Hakata ramen, grilled chicken skewers, oden stew and more all in the same night. Keep an eye out for Hakata Yatai Bar Ebichan, which serves up some 60 different cocktails from its tiny stall.

A stroll through Maizuru Park – just 15 minutes from the city centre – offers enviable views of the Fukuoka Castle ruins, one of the most impressive Fukuoka attractions. Time your visit to coincide with cherry blossom season (between March and April) to experience the park in its sakura-strewn glory.

This serene shrine, surrounded by bright plum trees, is a must-visit Fukuoka attraction for those in search of a little downtime. Just 30 minutes from the city centre, sitting at the end of a path lined with quaint shops on both sides, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines. It’s dedicated to the Shinto god of education – so you can join the students who visit to pray for success in their exams.

If you have a sweet tooth and a love of the rails, the Aru Ressha is a must-do when you visit Fukuoka. The “Sweet Train”, as it’s better known, runs between Fukuoka and a variety of locales – but it’s the journey that’s the real destination here. Step inside the opulent wood-panelled interior and you’ll be served a five-course meal created by celebrity chef Yoshihiro Narisawa – including four elaborate desserts, which give the train its nickname.

Some of Fukuoka’s best shopping destinations are located in Hakata, in the centre of the city. Tenjin Underground Mall is the perfect place for a bit of rainy-day retail: this collection of boutiques, concept stores and cafes stretches along a network of cobbled streets underneath the city. A short walk away, Canal City Hakata boasts not only shops, but also a movie theatre, an arcade and dozens of restaurants. After a hard day’s shopping, refuel at the complex’s Ramen Stadium on the 5th floor, which features eight ramen shops each focusing on a regional version of the dish.

The Hakata Machiya Folk Museum is the ideal kind of museum: informative, but compact. Located in a two-storey townhouse, it allows visitors to Fukuoka to step back in time and experience the city’s history through a series of folk culture exhibitions and displays of artifacts from the Meiji and Taisho eras. Grab a souvenir in the form of traditional Hakata crafts and sweets to take home.

Just an hour from Fukuoka lies the Itoshima peninsula, a popular getaway for the city’s urbanites. Popular attractions include the Torii Gate – a striking white structure erected right on the shoreline – as well as the Kayasan rice fields, with views of Mt Kayasan in the distance. For something special in the colder months, visit the kakigoya oyster huts which pop up along the coast: locals gather here to barbecue fresh oysters and seafood in the oyster season, from October to late March.

From December to May, Fukuoka’s fields fill with red as strawberry season enters full swing. The prefecture is known for the fruit, particularly the Amaou species – literally “sweet king” – because they’re bigger and more honeyed than their regional counterparts. Many fruit farms in Fukuoka offer strawberry picking tours as well as jam-making classes – resulting in a delicious souvenir that makes it one of the best things to do in Fukuoka.

A 45-minute bus ride from the city centre and a 10-minute ferry ride leads you to the near-isolated island of Nokonoshima, one of the best Fukuoka attractions. Expect peace, quiet and beautiful views of Fukuoka city in the distance. The fields are full of more than 30 types of seasonal flowers, meaning that something is always in bloom.

The hot spring resort of Yufuin lies about two and a half hours by train from Fukuoka, and it’s well worth an overnight stay at one of the plentiful hot spring ryokan inns in the area. Many ryokans offer their guests private sessions, so they’re able to enjoy the hot spring baths in secluded peace. After an evening soaking in the onsen, get up early and beat the crowd to visit Lake Kinrin, revered for its morning mist.