Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium - Rugby World Cup JAPAN 2019
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium is located Hakata-ku in Fukuoka prefecture. It is one of the 3 stadiums for Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 in Kyushu island.
Fukuoka city
Fukuoka, the capital city of Fukuoka prefecture, is the biggest city in Kyushu island. It is located on the northern shore of Kyushu island. Fukuoka’s population is 1.6M, 5th highest population city in Japan, excluding special wards of Tokyo.
The city is the center of politics, economy, and transportation for Kyushu island. Fukuoka is often known or called as Hakata, a part of Fukuoka city as Shinkansen station in Fukuoka city is named Hakata.
Stadium
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, also called Level5 Stadium, is located in Hakata-ku of Fukuoka city. The stadium, opened in 1995, is the home for J League team, Avispa Fukuoka as well as Top League team union, Coca-Cola Red Sparks.
In order to host the Rugby World Cup matches, the stadium was repaired since 2017. And, due to this repair, the capacity decreases from 22.5K to 21.6K.
Access to Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium
The stadium is located in 25-minute walking distance from Fukuoka Airport (FUK) or Fukuokakuko (Airport) station of Fukuoka City Subway.
Train
Fukuokakuko (Airport) station is the nearest station to the stadium. From the station, you can walk for 25 minutes or take a bus.
Fukuokakuko (Airport) station can be accessed by Fukuoka City Subway, Airport line. It takes 5~6 minutes from Hakata station by subway, only 2 stops.
If you land on Fukuoka Airport, the station is at the airport. You are ready to walk to the stadium or take a bus.
Bus
There are local buses, Nishitetsu bus, from the airport or Fukuokakuko station. You can take a bus and get off Higashi-hiraokoen-iriguchi. From the bus stop, it takes about 7~10 minutes by walking.
Shuttle bus
When there is an event at the stadium, there are shuttle buses available from several points in Fukuoka city. There are shuttle buses from Fukuokakuko station to the stadium. Also, there are shuttle buses from Tenjin and Hakata bus terminal.
How to access to Fukuoka from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya
From Tokyo to Fukuoka
From Tokyo, you can choose to take trains or fly. Shinkansen is available from Tokyo to Hakata, the central station of Fukuoka, without any transit. It takes nearly 5 hours from Tokyo to Hakata by Shinkansen Nozomi train, the fastest train.
By air, there are many flights from Haneda International Airport Domestic terminal to Fukuoka Airport. It takes less than 2 hours by air from Haneda Airport to Fukuoka Airport. As Fukuoka Airport is located closed to the city central of Fukuoka, flight is popular way to go to Fukuoka from Tokyo.
From Osaka to Fukuoka
Shinkansen is available from Shin-Osaka to Hakata station in Fukuoka. It takes about 2 hours 30 minutes from Shin-Osaka to Hakata station.
Since there are flights from Kansai International Airport or Osaka International Airport, flight can be an option.
From Nagoya to Fukuoka
There are Shinkansen trains from Nagoya station to Hakata station. It takes 3 hours 20 minutes from Nagoya to Hakata. There are flights from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
Flight search to Fukuoka
If you fly from your country or other city, check the following flight search.
How to go to the stadium with Japan Rail Pass
If you plan to purchase JR Pass, you can take Shinkansen to Hakata station from other cities, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and more.
Since you can not take Shinkansen Nozomi train with JR Pass, you can take other Shinkansen trains, such as Hikari, Kodama, Sakura, etc.. Even though Shinkansen Nozomi train is the fastest train, it is possible to go to Hakata/Fukuoka from Tokyo and other cities. Take Shinkansen and save money.
Matches at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium
There will be 3 matches at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium.
- 2019 September 26th (Thu.) 16:45 Italy vs. Canada
- 2019 October 2nd (Wed.) 16:45 France vs. U.S.A.
- 2019 October 12th (Sat.) 19:45 Ireland vs. Samoa
Fukuoka Attractions
Fukuoka is popular for tourists as it is easy to access by train and air. As the biggest city in Kyushu island, there are many places for shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
What to do in Fukuoka
Canal City Hakata
Canal City Hakata is a complex commercial facility including shops, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, and hotels. And, there is a canal crossing the center of this area, surrounded by buildings.
Canal City Hakata has a stage for events. Also, there is a fountain show everyday. You can enjoy entertainment as well as shopping and eating.
In addition, there is Canal Tourist Lounge on the 1st floor of Canal City Hakata. This tourist lounge provides tourist information for foreigners, cafe service, souvenirs, and Japanese cultural experiences.
Fukuoka Tower
Fukuoka Tower is located in seaside momochi area of Fukuoka city. It is the tallest seaside tower in Japan with 234 meter. There is an observation deck in this tower. You can enjoy a 360 degree view from the observation deck.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
It is a seaside park located in Higashi-ku of Fukuoka city. The park is located on the other side of Hakata Bay from the city central of Fukuoka. This park can be accessed by train, JR Kashii Line. However, it is interesting to take cruises operating between Seaside Momochi/Hakata Pier and Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. You can enjoy crossing Hakata Bay.
Marine World Uminonakamichi
In Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, there is an aquarium, Marine World Uminonakamichi. Dolphin and sea lion show are popular attractions of the aquarium. You can enjoy dolphin performing with Hakata Bay in the background.
Ohori Park
Ohori Park is located in Chuo-ku of Fukuoka city. The park is known as one of the most beautiful water parks in Japan, registered Place of Scenic Beauty.
There is a pond at the park and there are 3 islands connecting through the pond. You can enjoy crossing the islands and bridges on the pond. Rental boats are available on the pond for non-winter season.
There is Japanese Garden where you can feel Japan’s traditional culture. Also, there is a Noh theater, Ohori Park Noh Theater.
What to eat in Fukuoka/Hakata
Fukuoka/Hakata is known as a place having many local foods. The most famous one is ramen, Japanese style noodles orginating in China. You can try ramen in a yatai, a small, mobile food stall in Nakasu.
Nakasu is the biggest entertainment district in Kyushu island. There are many shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. There are many yatai at night in Nakashi serving ramen, oden, and more.
In Nakasu, you can try not only ramen yatai but also many different kinds of yatai. Usually, yatai food is very reasonable and people including customers are friendly at yatai. You can enjoy not only food but also communication with locals and tourists.
Where to stay in Fukuoka
Fukuoka has many hotels in the city. You have many choices from luxury ones to budget ones. Check the following hotel prices from various travel sites.
Since the stadium is closed to the city central, it can be your option to stay in the city central so that you can enjoy before/after watching matches.
Go back to Rugby World Cup JAPAN 2019 overview
© 2020 Japan Rail Pass. Authorized JR Pass agent. Experts of shinkansen and limited express trains in Japan.
