Jun 14, 2024
Excellent guide, especially enjoyed cycling through Fukuoka castle ruins and Ohori park. - Cycling through Ohori park and the Fukuoka castle ruins were the highlights. Our guide Haruka was great, and we felt safe at all times. We always find that a cyclng tour is the best way to start to get to know a new city when we visit, and this was certainly the case with our Fukuoka cycling experience . Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 2, 2024
Great Way to See the City - Our guide Haru was great! He kept our group together and provided us with information at each stop. The break at the cafe in Ohori Park for a sweet treat was appreciated. This was a perfect day and a perfect way to see the city close up. We would recommend this tour to our family and friends.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 11, 2024
Interesting bike ride through Fukuoka and Hakata - This trip was a very interesting discovery of both sides of Fukuoka (Fukuoka and Hakata).
While the guide was Japanese, there was a "baito" student who functioned as a translator between the guide and me.
We cycled through busy and calm streets of Fukuoka and visited the remains of Fukuoka Castle, Ohori Park, a small and old candy shop, Shofuku-ji and Kushida Shrine.
The explanation was really interesting, the weather really nice and both the guide and the translator were really friendly. This gets a thumbs up from me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 10, 2024
Cycling with Haru - Haruka our guide was knowledgeable, funny and he always ensured that we felt safe as we navigated our way through the windy city streets and narrow lanes of Fukuoka. The Sakura was blooming, the city was buzzing and the ramen was delicious. Thank you for a fantastic afternoon Haruka! Thoroughly recommend this experience.
Review provided by Viator
Mar 27, 2024
Great bike tour in the city - Top organization, very flexible when the weather conditions are bad. Top guide, very well informed about the individual destinations, great snack stop in Ohori Park, top tour, everything perfect! We would do it again in a heartbeat, highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 15, 2023
A Ramen good cycling experience!!!! - The cycle was at a relaxed pace.
At each stop we made the information we received was excellent .
Our guide and translator did an amazing tour.
Thanks to both.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 20, 2023
Great Way to Start Your Visit to Fukuoka - Just arrived in Fukuoka from a long flight and wanted to get oriented to the city.
We were traveling as a couple and booked via their web site prior to arriving. Booking through the web site was very straightforward and easy. In addition, reminder emails are sent before your trip.
You meet Harumi at 1 pm at the HafH Fukuoka THE LIFE Hotel/Cafe across the street from the Canal City Mall. She arranged for a tour guide and English translator since we were both from California.
The bikes were clean, comfortable and good condition. The city is flat so very easy to ride. Much of the way also had dedicated bike lanes. In addition, our guide took special care to look out for cars as we rode through the city.
The modern city of Fukuoka was formed with the merger of the former cities of Hakata and Fukuoka. Historically, Hakata was the port and merchant district, and was more associated with the area's culture and remains the main commercial area today. On the other hand, the Fukuoka area was home to many samurai, and its name has been used since Kuroda Nagamasa, the first daimyō of Chikuzen Province, named it after his birthplace in Okayama Prefecture and the "old Fukuoka" is the main shopping area, now called Tenjin.
We proceeded south to our first stop at the ruins of Fukuoka Castle (福岡城跡, Fukuokajōato) which are located in the middle of the city in Maizuru Park, named after the castle's alias, Maizuru Castle. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), Fukuoka Castle used to be the largest castle on Kyushu, but it was almost completely torn down after the Meiji Restoration as an unwanted symbol of the feudal past. Nowadays only ruined walls and a few turrets remain. We stopped at various locations including the moat/lotus flowers, main gate and castle top for a city view. At each stop our guide explained the history of the castle and took pictures.
We then rode to Ohori Park (大濠公園, Ōhori-kōen) which is a pleasant park in central Fukuoka with a large pond at its center. There is a walking path around the circumference of the pond that is just a little over two kilometers long and is popular for jogging, walking pets and leisurely strolls by the water.
Ohori is Japanese for moat, and the park's pond once served as part of the moat system of the neighboring Fukuoka Castle. The park was constructed between 1926 and 1929 and designed after the classical garden style of the West Lake in China. There are three islands in the middle of the pond that are connected to the mainland and each other by elegant stone bridges.
We road along the lake and took a break in the park. Our guide provided local snacks and ice cream while we sat along the lake taking in the scenery.
We then proceeded north to "Hakata Town" and the Shofuku-ji Temple. Shofukuji (聖福寺, Shōfukuji) has the distinction of being the first Zen temple constructed in Japan. It was founded in 1195 by the priest Eisai, who introduced the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism from China into Japan. Although the temple buildings cannot be entered, visitors can walk through Shofukuji's attractive temple grounds and observe the buildings from outside. Our guide explained how this was Japan's first Zen temple and the birthplace of Japanese tea.
We then rode to Kushida-jinja which is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu and Susanoo, it is said to have been founded in 757. This is a shrine to pray for safety. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival is centred on the shrine and during July this place is busy with activity. Our guide explained the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival and provided a keep sake souvenir.
We really enjoyed this relaxing afternoon bike ride through the city streets.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 5, 2024
Title of review - I had a great time cycling through Osaka. The weather was perfect and we saw all of the major attractions. Our guide was an expert on Osaka and its history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 5, 2024
17km scenic ride experience of Fukuoka - Haruka, our guide, is friendly and English is ok. The tour is a nice way to get a taste of the different part of Fukuoka city. The 17km of bike ride is good, with rest spots at various attraction sites.
Review provided by Viator
May 21, 2024
Good cycling but not much historical information - The student guide was friendly. He was very caring to ensure my safety while cycling on the road. He also took care of my need and introduced me Japanese sweets and desserts. The bike was also in good condition . However, I felt that the historical tour didn’t meet my expectation of a historical tour of Kyushu. About 10-15% of the information was given. I am not sure if a professional guide is needed. For the trips I booked in Australia and Europe with Trip Advisor, this was totally different in terms of historical discovery. The company should invest in training their guides about the country’s history. Overall, cycling was fun on the road but lack of historical elements.
Review provided by Tripadvisor