Japan's tallest seaside tower, 234 metres, on Hakata Bay with a viewpoint at 123 metres; admission 800 ¥.
The Fukuoka Tower is the tallest building in the city and the tallest seaside tower in Japan, at 234 metres tall and with a spectacular facade of 8.000 semi-reflective mirrors that reflect the sky, the sea and the clouds in a visual effect that changes with every hour of the day. It was built in 1989 for the Asia-Pacific Exposition (Yokatopia). The viewpoint at 123 metres offers 360-degree views over Hakata Bay, the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and, on very clear days, the mountains of northern Kyushu. The night-time viewpoint is especially popular: Fukuoka at night seen from the tower has a scale and a compactness of lights very different from Tokyo or Osaka. Admission costs 800 ¥ for adults (500 ¥ for children). Hours: 9:30-22:00 (last access 21:30). It is in the Momochi district, ten minutes by bus from Tenjin station, next to the Fukuoka City Museum. It combines well with a stroll along Momochihama beach, which is a two-minute walk away.
