Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is located on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu. It is one of Japans largest and most populated cities and has been an important port city for many centuries. In 1889 the port city of Hakata and the former castle town of Fukuoka were unified into one city called Fukuoka, although Hakata remains the name of Fukuoka's central district. The city is set around the scenic Hakata Bay and combines historical areas and traditional shrines with green parks and leisure areas with shops and restaurants.

The city has several traditional Japanese shrines and temples, including Shofukuji Temple, Tochoji Temple and Kushida Shrine, which is the location of Fukuoka's famous Hakata Gion Festival. This festival takes places each year and fills the streets of the city with a parade of elaborately decorated floats. The Hakozaki Shrine is host to the lively Tamaseseri and Hojoya festivals.