Fukuoka Castle Ruins

Maizuru Park in Fukuoka City was built around the ruins of Fukuoka Castle, a 20-minute walk from Ohori Koen Station. The castle served as the base of a powerful regional lord through the Edo period and was later occupied by American forces after World War II, layering the site with centuries of history. Wide stone walls are the most intact surviving feature. Spring is the most popular time to visit, when around a thousand cherry trees come into full bloom and the grounds fill with picnicking families. Year-round, the park also houses sports facilities and an art museum worth combining into the visit.