Come for the culture, stay for the people – and leave with stories you’ll carry for a lifetime.
Fukuoka – Gateway to Asia, Bridge to the World
🌏 Where East Begins – Welcome to Fukuoka
Fukuoka is located on the northern coast of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. Set along the shores of Hakata Bay, the city looks out across the sea to its close neighbours – South Korea and China. Historically, Fukuoka has served as Japan’s Gateway to Asia, and today it continues to thrive as a dynamic crossroads of Asian culture, trade, and ideas.
Its strategic location has made Fukuoka one of Japan’s most international cities – a place where traditions, languages, and peoples have long converged. For professional tourist guides, there is no better place to experience cross-cultural understanding in action.
📜 A Story Shaped by Encounters
Fukuoka’s history is rooted in centuries of exchange. The ancient port of Hakata was once Japan’s main maritime link to the Asian mainland, serving as a hub for diplomacy, commerce, and cultural transmission. Buddhism, Chinese writing systems, and even tea ceremonies first arrived in Japan through ports like Hakata.
In the 17th century, the city became a vital centre for learning and craftsmanship. Its dual identity – as the merchant town of Hakata and the castle town of Fukuoka – continues to define the city’s open spirit and proud heritage.
✨ What Makes Fukuoka Special
🏙️ Big Enough to Inspire, Small Enough to Feel Welcome
Fukuoka is a modern city with a warm heart. With its relaxed pace, walkable streets, and vibrant neighbourhoods, it’s the kind of place where global visitors feel instantly at home.
🍜 A Culinary Capital
Fukuoka is famous for its local Hakata-style ramen, and the city’s Yatai (open-air food stalls) are a nightly ritual – a perfect opportunity to experience Japanese hospitality up close.
🎎 Tradition and Innovation Side by Side
From the historic Kushida Shrine to the cutting-edge Canal City shopping complex, Fukuoka blends ancient and contemporary Japan effortlessly. Nature lovers will appreciate green spaces like Ohori Park, while urban explorers will enjoy discovering the unique mix of temples, shopping arcades, art museums, and cafés.
Why Fukuoka for the WFTGA Convention?
As tourist guides, we interpret the world. Fukuoka invites us to understand Asia from the inside – to walk the very streets where cultures met, ideas flowed, and traditions evolved. This city embodies what we, as guides, seek to share with travellers:
Authenticity
Cultural exchange
Living heritage
Hosting the WFTGA Convention in Fukuoka is both a celebration of Japan’s guiding excellence and an invitation to experience East Asia’s cultural crossroads. In a world increasingly shaped by Asia’s presence in tourism, there is no better setting to explore how we guide across cultures – and across borders.
Personal Statement Mayor Fukuoka …….
💬 From Fukuoka, We Look to the World
We invite you to discover a city that reflects the WFTGA spirit – global, inclusive, and deeply rooted in place. Whether it’s your first time in Japan or your tenth, Fukuoka will offer new insights, meaningful connections, and unforgettable moments.
📧 Have questions about the host city or local programme? Contact us at: convention2026@wftga.org