Japan
Fukuoka in May
🌿 Late springPleasant and often rainy.
🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why May scores 9.0What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.0
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (24°C highs / 16°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 14.2°C)
- !Wet: ~134 mm rain, ~4 heavy-rain days
- Air quality7.9
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~19 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| May | Oct | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.0 Excellent | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | 🌿 Late spring | 🍁 Autumn (koyo) |
| High / low | 24° / 16° | 24° / 16° |
| Rain | 134 mm | 95 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 14° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 19 µg/m³ | 13 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Fukuoka weather-station normals. Rainfall: Fukuoka weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Golden Week 1–5 May · 5 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Fukuoka
- Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)2026 actualFirst blooms 24 Mar 2026, full bloom 3 Apr 2026
Observed by JMA at the city's official sample tree. The 2027 forecast isn't out yet: Japanese weather companies such as the Japan Weather Association usually publish the first one in January, and we add it then.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Cherry blossomTypical datesFirst blooms ~22 Mar, full bloom ~31 Mar
Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 12 Mar and 27 Mar (24 Mar in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Autumn leavesTypical datesMaples turn red ~1 Dec
Typical date the JMA observatory's maple turns red (1991–2020 normal); city parks are usually close to this.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Explore FukuokaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe largest city on Japan's Kyushu island, known for its food culture, open-air yatai stalls, Hakata ramen and relaxed waterfront parks.
Hakata DontakuEvery year3 to 4 May every year
One of Japan's largest festivals by attendance, with parades and performances during Golden Week.
Why go: Coincides with Golden Week, so book accommodation early.
Where: Central Fukuoka
Coming up later
Hakata Gion YamakasaEvery year1 to 15 July every year
Teams race heavy decorated floats through the streets, ending with the Oiyama race in the early morning of 15 July.
Why go: The final race starts before dawn; watch along the route or from paid stands near Kushida Shrine.
Where: Kushida Shrine and Hakata district
Kyushu Grand Sumo TournamentDate variesUsually November
The last of the six annual professional sumo tournaments.
Why go: Popular days sell out, so buy tickets early.
Where: Fukuoka Kokusai Center
Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually late March to early April
Parks fill with hanami picnics under blooming cherry trees.
Why go: Exact timing varies each year; check bloom forecasts.
Where: Maizuru Park, Ohori Park and Nishi Park
Yatai food stalls
Open-air street food stalls serving ramen, oden and yakitori in the evenings.
💡 Many cluster in Nakasu and Tenjin; they may not open in bad weather.
Ohori Park
A large park around a lake with walking paths, a Japanese garden and the nearby castle ruins.
Fukuoka Castle ruins (Maizuru Park)
Stone walls and towers of a former castle, one of the city's main cherry blossom spots.
Kushida Shrine
Hakata's main Shinto shrine, where a decorated festival float is displayed year-round.
Dazaifu Tenmangu
A major shrine dedicated to the god of learning, a short train ride from the city.
💡 Try umegae mochi, a grilled rice cake sold along the approach street.
Fukuoka Tower and Momochi Seaside Park
A tall observation tower beside an artificial beach on the waterfront.
Hakata tonkotsu ramen
Thin noodles in rich, milky pork-bone broth, with the option to order extra noodles (kaedama).
Mentaiko
Spicy marinated pollock roe, eaten with rice or in pasta and snacks.
Motsunabe
A hot pot of beef or pork offal with cabbage, chives and garlic.
Mizutaki
A chicken hot pot cooked in a cloudy chicken broth.
Hakata gyoza
Small, bite-sized pan-fried dumplings.
Mentaiko
Packaged spicy cod roe, sold chilled or in shelf-stable products.
💡 Hakata Station and department stores
Hakata ningyo
Finely painted unglazed clay dolls, a traditional local craft.
Hakata-ori
Tightly woven silk textiles, best known for obi sashes, also sold as small accessories.
Hiyoko
Chick-shaped sweet buns filled with bean paste, a well-known Fukuoka confection.
💡 Hakata Station
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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