Recommended Sightseeing Guide to “Tenjin,” Fukuoka’s Top Shopping Area!

Tenjin, located in Chuo Ward of Fukuoka City, is the largest shopping area in Kyushu! With fashion buildings such as “Tenjin Core” and “VIORO,” the Tenjin Underground Shopping Street lined with numerous stores, and food stalls featuring Fukuoka’s famous local cuisine, you’ll encounter many tourist spots just by walking through Tenjin.
This time, we’ll introduce plenty of information about Tenjin! In addition to shopping spots, we’ll also highlight recommended gourmet options, so be sure to check it out.

1. Shopping Buildings Leading Kyushu’s Fashion Trends

As the largest shopping area in Kyushu, Tenjin is home to numerous fashion buildings. Here, we introduce some of the most iconic fashion buildings representing Tenjin.

▶ Tenjin Core

Located just steps from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, Tenjin Core is a hub for Kyushu’s fashion trends! With a wide array of apparel shops, it attracts trend-conscious young people. Events in collaboration with students are also held here, making it a popular dating spot. However, Tenjin Core is planned to be rebuilt along with the adjacent Fukuoka Building and is scheduled to close at the end of March 2020.

▶ VIORO

VIORO is another fashion building located very close to Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station. This one targets mainly adults in their 20s and up. With many tenants opening their first stores in Kyushu, it’s highly regarded by fashion-savvy shoppers. On the top floor is "hus VIORO," a restaurant serving casual European-style home cuisine. With semi-private rooms and terrace seating, it’s a great option for couples visiting Tenjin on a date!

▶ IMS

The multi-purpose commercial complex IMS (Inter Media Station), which has a concept of being a hub for information exchange, houses fashion shops, general goods stores, restaurants, and an event hall. Among them, “KIRIN SOW-SOW” on the 12th floor is a stylish beer dining spot perfect for dinner! You can enjoy delicious beers such as Kirin draft and craft brews. Like Tenjin Core, IMS is also scheduled to close for redevelopment by the end of fiscal year 2021.

2. Stylish Underground Shopping Area: Tenjin Underground Shopping Street

Tenjin Underground Shopping Street stretches 590 meters north to south along Watanabe-dori. With about 150 shops lined up, this vast underground street sees around 400,000 people passing through daily, including those using Nishitetsu and subway lines. Designed with a theater-like concept, the passageways are built with bricks and dimly lit, which contributes to its stylish atmosphere—a big reason why tourists love it.

3. Local Arcade District: Shintencho Shopping Street

Tenjin's charm as a sightseeing destination isn't just its flashy shopping buildings and underground streets. Shintencho Shopping Street, located behind Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, is an arcade with about 100 shops. A shopping street continuing from the Showa era, it’s bustling with people of all ages every day. A large clock tower at the entrance chimes every hour on the hour from 9 AM to 8 PM, echoing through the lively arcade.
A recommended spot in Shintencho is the "Shintencho Club" at the west end of South Street. Though originally a cafeteria for employees working in the arcade, it’s open to the public! With a wide variety of menu items, it offers delicious and affordable lunches thanks to its company-cafeteria origins.

4. Historic Shrine by the Naka River: Suikyo Tenmangu Shrine

About a five-minute walk east from the Tenjin intersection, Suikyo Tenmangu Shrine—with its striking vermilion building—is an ancient shrine said to be the origin of the name “Tenjin”! Legend has it that Sugawara no Michizane, exiled from the capital, gazed at his reflection in the water here and lamented his fate.
Though located in Kyushu’s largest shopping area, the shrine grounds are calm and serene, making it a soothing spot for tourists. Like Dazaifu Tenmangu, it enshrines the god of learning, making it a popular power spot. The charm featuring white fabric with gold embroidery and plum blossom design also makes for a great souvenir.

5. Hidden Chill Spot in Tenjin: ACROS Fukuoka

ACROS Fukuoka is a multi-purpose facility located across from Suikyo Tenmangu Shrine. From the shrine side, it looks like an ordinary building, but head to the south side facing Tenjin Central Park and surprise! The building is completely covered in a terraced forest, making it disappear into greenery.
Designed as a typical countryside forest, the garden allows you to climb to the rooftop. As you pass through the green belt where water flows and insects play, a stunning view of the Genkai Sea and the mountains of Dazaifu awaits!
On basement level B2, there is “Buffet Grand China,” a Chinese restaurant known for its all-you-can-eat offerings. The weekday lunch buffet is a great deal at just 999 yen before tax (as of April 2019).

◎ Lastly: Tenjin Is Fun Just to Wander Around!

With large fashion buildings and an underground shopping street, it’s no wonder Tenjin is called Kyushu’s largest shopping area. Even in its bustling corners, there are relaxing spots like Suikyo Tenmangu Shrine and ACROS Fukuoka that offer peace and quiet, making it a place of comfort for Fukuoka locals. All the spots introduced here are within walking distance, so feel free to explore Tenjin at your own pace!

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Recommended Sightseeing Guide to “Tenjin,” Fukuoka’s Top Shopping Area!