Fukuoka, Japan, blends centuries-old heritage with forward-thinking and creative spirits. In Fukuoka, travelers can explore everything from ancient shrines and castle ruins to modern art and fashion-forward districts. This year, the city’s calendar is filled with concerts, culinary festivals and cultural exhibits.

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In spring, cherry blossoms take center stage and bloom at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, a national historic site featuring preserved stone walls and blooming trees. Summer features the Hakata Gion Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event dating back 700 years. The bright foliage and art installations at Ohori Park’s Japanese Garden attract visitors and locals alike in the fall, while winter sees sparkling lights and local treats at festive Christmas markets.

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Fukuoka’s Hakata’s Old Town is especially worth a visit. Kushida Shrine was founded in 757 and is a symbol of Hakata’s traditions. Today, the shrine blesses visitors with prosperity and longevity. It also hosts local customs, traditions and events such as the Yamakasa Festival. While in the area, visit Hakata Machiya Folk Museum for a glimpse into the city’s past and to engage in local craft making and learn about the customs shaping life in old Hakata.

Another popular spot is team Lab Forest Fukuoka, an immersive venue offering a new kind of interactive art experience with two main themes: Catching and Collecting Forest, a learning zone where guests can explore and interact with digital wildlife using their cell phones; and Athletic Forest, a new athletic space to help develop and improve spatial awareness through immersive, interactive experiences.

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SORA – A Fantastical Nighttime Art Experience at the Japanese Garden of Ohori Park  transforms the 100-year-old garden into a living display of light and motion. Visitors contribute to the show by slightly altering the display through movement, which embodies the Japanese belief that “divinity resides in all things.”