FUKUOKA NOW

SEARCH

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Guide

Fukuoka Autumn Guide 2026

Autumn brings a busy calendar to Fukuoka: music, art, startups, festivals, food, sports and international conferences, with events taking place across the city. In Tenjin, art, music and startup events overlap, while Hakata hosts historic festivals and nighttime illuminations. Head to the waterfront, the islands or Uminonakamichi for music festivals and cultural events in different surroundings. October also brings entrepreneurs, creators, city leaders and others to Fukuoka from across Japan and around the world.

These events grow out of different communities, but with so much happening in the same city at the same time, why stop at one? Fukuoka Now has brought together notable events across Fukuoka and Kyushu, organized by date and category to help you plan.

Add another stop before or after an event already on your calendar, or try something outside your usual interests. Whether you live here or are visiting, this guide is an invitation to explore somewhere new, meet people and discover another side of Fukuoka this autumn.

Browse by category

Browse by date

September / October / November

◆ indicates an umbrella program bringing together multiple events or activities. The guide begins with monthly listings for browsing by date, followed by detailed event listings organized by category.

September

October

November

View the event venue map

ART / DESIGN / ARCHITECTURE

Fukuoka’s autumn art scene extends well beyond museums. Galleries, commercial complexes and public spaces host emerging artists, contemporary art fairs, architecture, design and major exhibitions. Explore Tenjin, Ohori and Hakata to see the range of creative work on show across the city.

◆ FaN Week – Fukuoka Art Next 2026

Fukuoka Art Next, or FaN, is a Fukuoka City initiative that brings art into museums, galleries, commercial spaces and public places throughout the city. During FaN Week, combine exhibitions and events into an art walk around Fukuoka. Art events taking place across the city are also introduced as part of the wider FaN program.

9/19 (Sat.)-10/12 (Mon., holiday)
Fukuoka Art Museum, Artist Cafe Fukuoka, ONE FUKUOKA BLDG., and other venues
Various locations in Fukuoka City
Official website

SICF Fukuoka

SICF, an open-call art festival launched by Spiral in Aoyama, Tokyo, in 2000, supports emerging creators. At its first edition in Kyushu, 60 selected artists and groups will present painting, sculpture, fashion, crafts, product design and more.

9/19 (Sat.)-9/22 (Tue., holiday)
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F ONE FUKUOKA CONFERENCE HALL
1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2026 (AFAF)

This Fukuoka contemporary art fair connects Japan and Asia, bringing galleries from Japan and overseas to Fukuoka International Center. Visitors can buy works as well as view them, making the fair a chance to explore contemporary art as a potential collector. It is also a major stop during FaN Week.

VIP Preview: 10/1 (Thu.) 13:00-19:00; Public Days: 10/2 (Fri.)-10/4 (Sun.)
Fukuoka International Center
2-2 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

FAF Architecture Culture Festival – Rediscovering Fukuoka Bank Head Office

Spend a day exploring architecture at the Fukuoka Bank Head Office, designed by Kisho Kurokawa. The program includes tours of areas normally closed to the public, talks, architectural photography, the announcement of a new selection of notable Fukuoka buildings, and live music.

Date: 10/3 (Sat.) 10:00-18:00
Venue: Fukuoka Bank Head Office, FFG Hall
Address: 2-13-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

The Creators 2026

A Fukuoka event bringing together creativity, entertainment and technology. Creators and performers present their work and meet one another, while visitors can experience new forms of creative expression and technology firsthand.

Date: 10/10 (Sat.)-10/11 (Sun.)
Venue: UNITEDLAB
Address: 1-3-36 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

The Karun Thakar Collection: Indian Chintz, A Story Around the World

Colorful cotton textiles known as chintz originated in India and spread across Asia, Europe and Japan. Drawn from the internationally renowned Karun Thakar Collection, this exhibition explores their designs and the trade and cultural exchanges that carried them around the world.

10/17 (Sat.)-12/20 (Sun.)
Fukuoka Art Museum
1-6 Ohori Koen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

MUSIC / NIGHT CULTURE

The waterfront, Hakata Station, Nakasu, Tenjin, Nokonoshima and Uminonakamichi: Fukuoka’s music events are shaped as much by their settings as by their sound. From September into October, combine a festival with a walk through town or a short trip to an island.

◆ Fukuoka Music Month 2026

A project connecting several major music festivals under the banner of Fukuoka as a “music city.” In 2026, seven events beginning with BAYFES will take place over six consecutive weeks. Each weekend brings a different venue and another chance to discover a different part of Fukuoka and its music scene.

9/5 (Sat.)-10/11 (Sun.)
Bayside Place Hakata, Nakasu, JR Hakata Station, Tenjin, Nokonoshima,
Uminonakamichi, and other venues
Various locations in Fukuoka City
Official website

Hakata Paradise – BAYFES Eve

On the night before BAYFES begins, Hakata Port Tower’s observation deck becomes a DJ lounge for one night. Listen to music while looking out over Hakata Bay and the city lights from around 70 meters above ground—a waterfront prelude to the festival the following day.

9/4 (Fri.) 19:00-22:00
Hakata Port Tower Observation Deck
14-1 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official Instagram
Fukuoka Now Event Page

BAYFES 2026

A free music festival at Hakata Port built around the theme “CREATE THE BAY CULTURE.” Along with live performances and DJs, much of the appeal comes from simply spending time in the waterfront setting itself. BAYFES launches Fukuoka’s autumn music season from the city’s bay area.

9/5 (Sat.) 14:00-21:00, 9/6 (Sun.) 14:00-20:30
Bayside Place Hakata
13-6 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Sing! HAKATA

One of Japan’s largest participatory singing events brings gospel, choral singing and a cappella to the square outside Hakata Station. Groups gather at this gateway to Kyushu, with a mass sing-along on the final day bringing the venue together.

9/12 (Sat.)-9/13 (Sun.), scheduled 10:00-20:00
JR Hakata Station Square
1-1 Hakataeki Chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

NAKASU JAZZ 2026

Live jazz fills stages across Nakasu. Head for a favorite performance, or wander along the river and Nakasu Odori, stopping for dinner or a drink and following the music from stage to stage.

9/12 (Sat.)-9/13 (Sun.)
Around Nakasu Odori, Tenjin Central Park, Canal City Hakata, and other venues
Nakasu area, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

ISLA DE SALSA 2026 – World Beat Festival

Nokonoshima in Hakata Bay hosts this world beat festival, bringing together music, dance, food and art from different cultures. The trip across the water is part of the experience: the day begins with a ferry ride to the island.

9/19 (Sat.) gates open 12:00, performances begin 13:00, scheduled to end 20:00
Nokonoshima Camp Village
Noko, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

MUSIC CITY TENJIN 2026

One of Kyushu’s largest urban music events turns Tenjin itself into a festival venue. Stages appear outside Fukuoka City Hall and at locations around the district, making it easy to catch free performances between shopping, dining, and exploring the neighborhood. For two days, music becomes part of the rhythm of the city.

9/26 (Sat.)-9/27 (Sun.)
Fureai Hiroba on the west side of Fukuoka City Hall and other venues around Tenjin
1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, and other locations
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

SYNAPSE FESTIVAL 2026

A community festival combining music with art, wellness, food and time spent together. After two years on Nokonoshima, it moves to Uminonakamichi in 2026 and expands into a three-day event built around a longer stay.

10/2 (Fri.)-10/4 (Sun.)
INN THE PARK Fukuoka / Light and Wind Plaza, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
18-26 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
Official Instagram
Fukuoka Now Event Page

INSPIRATION by SUNSETLIVE

A new music and culture festival carrying forward the spirit of Sunset Live, which has helped shape Fukuoka’s seaside culture for decades. Live music, food, shops, and more come together at Uminonakamichi, surrounded by sea and greenery.

10/10 (Sat.)-10/11 (Sun.), gates open 11:00, performances begin 11:30
INN THE PARK Fukuoka / Light and Wind Plaza, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
18-26 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

KIETH FLACK 32nd ANNIVERSARY PARTY

KIETH FLACK, part of the Oyafuko-dori music scene since 1994, celebrates its 32nd anniversary. Bands, MCs, singers, DJs and beatmakers come together for a close-up encounter with Fukuoka’s club culture.

10/17 (Sat.)
KIETH FLACK
1-8-28 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

STARTUP / INNOVATION

Early October brings entrepreneurs, investors, creators, engineers, digital nomads and students to Fukuoka from Japan and overseas. Alongside specialist conferences, there are talks, pitches and meetups open to people with an interest in the scene. Explore events around the city to see what Fukuoka’s startups and innovators are working on.

Colive Fukuoka 2026

Entrepreneurs, creators, investors and remote workers from around the world spend 10 days in Fukuoka working, learning and meeting one another. The program goes beyond conference sessions, offering contact with local people and culture and a taste of everyday life in the city.

Opening Party: 9/30 (Wed.); Main Program: 10/1 (Thu.)-10/10 (Sat.)
Various locations in Fukuoka City
Official website

◆ RAMEN TECH 2026

Five days packed with events related to startups, investment, technology, research, creativity, and more across Fukuoka. Rather than a single conference in one venue, RAMEN TECH lets participants choose the programs that interest them and move around the city from event to event.

10/7 (Wed.)-10/11 (Sun.)
Dates, times, venues, and admission vary by event
Various locations in Fukuoka City, centered on the Tenjin and Daimyo areas
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

GLOBAL CONNECT (SPARK) DAY

Under the theme “Know the World. Connect with the World,” this international program brings overseas startups, venture capital firms and support organizations, particularly from Asia, to Fukuoka. Learn about international markets and investment, and meet people working in them.

10/7 (Wed.)-10/8 (Thu.)
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F
1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

THE GATHERING

For three days during RAMEN TECH, CIC Fukuoka opens its doors to startups, companies, investors, universities, research institutions, government organizations, and others from Japan and overseas. Talks and meetups are designed to create unexpected encounters between people who might otherwise move in very different circles.

10/7 (Wed.)-10/9 (Fri.)
CIC Fukuoka
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 7F, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

RAMEN TECH Global Summit 2026

A major RAMEN TECH event connecting Fukuoka with the world. Entrepreneurs, investors, companies, engineers and people who support startup communities gather for sessions and pitches on startups and collaboration, offering a look at innovation across Asia.

10/8 (Thu.)
Daimyo Conference
Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Tower, 2-6-50 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

STARTUP KYUSHU 2026

A two-day gathering of entrepreneurs, companies, investors, students, government representatives, and others from across Kyushu. Alongside conference sessions, the program includes art, networking activities, BBQ, and more, creating connections across industries, roles, and prefectural borders. It is also a good introduction to Kyushu’s wider startup scene.

10/8 (Thu.)-10/9 (Fri.)
Artist Cafe Fukuoka, Maizuru Park BBQ GARDEN, and other venues
Around Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

StartupGo!Go! 2026

One of Kyushu’s leading startup events. The program centers on pitches by seed and early-stage companies, alongside sessions, exhibitions, business matching, and more. Entrepreneurs, investors, companies, and local governments from Japan and overseas gather to make connections that can lead to new businesses and collaborations.

10/9 (Fri.)
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F
1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

FFG Mirai no Kaigi

Local companies, startups and others pursuing new ideas gather to meet potential collaborators. The event aims to turn those connections into new businesses and projects rooted in the region.

10/9 (Fri.)
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F
1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

FOOD / DRINK

&SAKE FUKUOKA 2026

Sake breweries from across Fukuoka Prefecture join popular restaurants at Fukuoka International Center. Try food and sake pairings, talk directly with brewers, and sample dishes from restaurants that can be difficult to book—all under one roof over two days.

9/26 (Sat.)-9/27 (Sun.)
Fukuoka International Center
2-2 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Fukuoka Oktoberfest 2026

Fukuoka’s annual autumn beer festival is inspired by the world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. German beers and dishes including sausages fill the venue, while a large festival tent hosts traditional music performed by musicians visiting from Bavaria.

10/16 (Fri.)-10/25 (Sun.), 2026
Reisen Park
109 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

FESTIVAL / TRADITION / HERITAGE

Hakata’s autumn brings shrine festivals passed down through generations, lights created by local communities, and evenings spent exploring historic temples and shrines. These events offer a glimpse of how the city’s history remains part of everyday life.

◆ Hakata Akihaku

An autumn program connecting festivals, temple and shrine events, illuminations, traditional culture, food, walking events, and more across Hakata from September through November. Rather than one single event, Akihaku serves as a gateway to a wide range of experiences that reveal Hakata’s history and culture.

September-November
Venue: Hakata area, centered on Hakata Old Town
Location: Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Hakozaki Shrine Hojoya

Hakozaki Shrine’s mid-autumn festival has a history of more than 1,000 years and is one of Hakata’s three great festivals. Rituals and offerings continue for seven days and nights, while hundreds of stalls line the roughly one-kilometer approach to the shrine. Look out for local Hojoya traditions such as fresh ginger sold with its leaves attached.

9/12 (Sat.)-9/18 (Fri.)
Hakozaki Shrine
1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Kaze no Ichiba – Hakozaki Shrine Flea Market

A flea market along the approach to Hakozaki Shrine, with vendors selling antiques, vintage goods, household items, and more. The atmosphere is much calmer than during the shrine’s major festivals, making it a pleasant opportunity to browse for unexpected finds while exploring the Hakozaki neighborhood.

10/4 (Sun.)
Hakozaki Shrine approach
Around Hakozaki 1-chome, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
Official Facebook
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Sumiyoshi Shrine Grand Festival

Sumiyoshi Shrine’s annual grand festival gives thanks for the autumn harvest. Along with Shinto rituals, the program includes children’s sumo and yabusame horseback archery. Just a short distance from Hakata Station, it offers a close-up look at shrine festival traditions that have long been part of the local community.

10/12 (Mon., holiday)-10/14 (Wed.)
Sumiyoshi Shrine
3-1-51 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Hakata Tomyo Watching 2026

For one autumn evening, tens of thousands of handmade candle lanterns illuminate Hakata’s temples, shrines, parks, and narrow streets. Large-scale designs created on the ground are among the highlights, while each district has its own displays to discover on foot. It is a chance to see Hakata’s streets and community culture in a completely different light.

10/17 (Sat.)
Reisen, Gokusho, Naraya, Ohama, and other areas of Hakata
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Hakata Okunchi

An autumn festival at Kushida Shrine with a history stretching back around 1,200 years. Along with rituals giving thanks for the harvest, mikoshi portable shrines, children in traditional dress, and other participants parade through the streets of Hakata. It reveals another side of Kushida Shrine and Hakata’s merchant culture, quite different from the summer Hakata Gion Yamakasa.

10/23 (Fri.)-10/24 (Sat.)
Kushida Shrine and the streets of Hakata
1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, and surrounding areas
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Nakasu Festival 2026

Nakasu’s autumn festival brings portable shrines carried by women, stage performances, food and other activities to Fukuoka’s best-known nightlife district. It is also a chance to see the local community behind the area’s bars and bright lights.

Oct 30, 2026 (Fri.)–Oct 31, 2026 (Sat.)
Throughout Nakasu
Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

Hakata Old Town Light-up Walk 2026: Sennen Koya

Temples, shrines and gardens in Hakata Old Town open after dark for this autumn illumination event. Walk between historic sites to see their architecture and gardens in a different light, with special access to places normally closed at night.

10/31 (Sat.)-11/3 (Tue., holiday)
Jotenji Temple, Tochoji Temple, Myorakuji Temple, Myotenji Temple, and others
Hakata Old Town, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

SPORTS / LARGE-SCALE EVENTS

Autumn brings major sporting events to Fukuoka and Kyushu, with streets and open landscapes becoming part of the spectacle. Watch international road cycling from the roadside, experience a grand sumo tournament, or see hot-air balloons over the Saga Plain. Each event also offers a different view of its host city and surroundings.

Tour de Kyushu 2026

An international road cycling race bringing professional teams from Japan and overseas onto public roads across Kyushu. On October 10, the Saga-Fukuoka Stage runs from Karatsu through Itoshima before finishing at Tenjin Central Park in central Fukuoka. Spectators can watch for free along the route, while the finish area will feature a dedicated spectator zone with food and other booths. It is a rare chance to feel the speed and intensity of an international road race right in the heart of the city.

10/9 (Fri.)-10/12 (Mon., holiday) / Saga-Fukuoka Stage: 10/10 (Sat.)
Various locations across Kyushu, including Nagasaki, Saga, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Oita, and Miyazaki
Official website
Fukuoka Now Tour de Kyushu 2026 Fukuoka Stage Special

2026 Saga International Balloon Fiesta

One of Asia’s largest international hot-air balloon events brings balloons and crews from around the world to Saga. Early-morning competition flights, balloons in unusual shapes, and illuminated evening displays create completely different scenes depending on when you visit. Easily accessible as a day trip from Fukuoka, it is one of Kyushu’s signature autumn events.

10/30 (Fri.)-11/3 (Tue., holiday)
Kasegawa riverbank and the Saga Plain
Kasegawa riverbank, Saga City, Saga
Official website

Grand Sumo November Tournament (Kyushu Basho)

Kyushu hosts one of professional sumo’s six annual grand tournaments. For 15 days, wrestlers and fans from across Japan gather in Fukuoka—a chance for international visitors to experience this traditional Japanese sport live.

11/8 (Sun.)-11/22 (Sun.)
Fukuoka International Center
2-2 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

GLOBAL GATHERINGS / INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Alongside festivals and public events, Fukuoka hosts international conferences that bring experts, city leaders and businesspeople from around the world. They offer another way to understand the city this autumn: through the people gathering here and the discussions they bring.

4th ISEE Asia – International Symposium on Entrepreneurship Education in Asia

An international symposium bringing together universities, researchers, educators, and practitioners, primarily from across Asia, to discuss the present and future of entrepreneurship education. Held entirely in English, the program explores the intersection of education and startups through examples and perspectives from across the region.

10/10 (Sat.)-10/11 (Sun.)
ONE FUKUOKA CONFERENCE HALL
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 6F, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

Humanitude Without Borders International Conference in Fukuoka 2026

An international conference centered on Humanitude, a care methodology developed in France. Healthcare and nursing-care professionals, researchers, and practitioners from Japan and overseas gather in Fukuoka to share knowledge across national borders and specialist fields, and to explore the future of medical and long-term care.

10/18 (Sun.)-10/19 (Mon.)
Fukuoka International Congress Center
2-1 Sekijomachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

15th Asia-Pacific City Summit

City representatives, international organizations, companies, and others from across the Asia-Pacific region gather in Fukuoka to discuss the future of sustainable cities. Led by Fukuoka City together with organizations including UN-Habitat’s Fukuoka Office, the summit explores urban policy and new forms of cross-border collaboration.

10/19 (Mon.)-10/21 (Wed.)
Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk
2-2-3 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

15th Japan-America Societies International Symposium, Fukuoka

An international symposium bringing together Japan-America societies from Japan and the United States. Held in Fukuoka in 2026, the event considers the future of Japan-US relations from the perspective of a city positioned at the heart of East Asia. Participants include leaders and specialists from business, government, academia, and international exchange.

10/22 (Thu.)-10/24 (Sat.)
ACROS Fukuoka International Conference Hall and other venues
1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, and other locations
Official website

CITY CULTURE / COMMUNITY

Hotels, commercial spaces, creative venues and the waterfront host events where people, music, art and food meet. Alongside the major festivals, these gatherings offer a closer look at Fukuoka’s current culture and communities.

◆ ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. CULTURE MONTH

ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. presents a cultural program centered on September. Inspired by its “Creative Crossroads” concept, the building hosts art, music, wellness and other events, with collaborations involving FaN Week and MUSIC CITY TENJIN.

9/1 (Tue.)-10/5 (Mon.)
Various locations inside ONE FUKUOKA BLDG.
1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

SLICE OF THE KNOT vol.2

Wood-fired pizza, art, DJs and cocktails bring people together at THE KNOT. The hotel opens its doors to the city, creating a meeting place for Fukuoka’s bar, art and music scenes and the people who enjoy them.

9/25 (Fri.) 18:00-22:00
MORETHAN Cafe Restaurant Lounge / THE KNOT FUKUOKA Tenjin 1F
1-9-63 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website
Fukuoka Now Event Page

ONE SESSIONS

A lounge session centered around THE CAFE at ONE FUKUOKA HOTEL, where music, art, people, ideas, and conversation intersect. All it takes to join is a drink, while the hotel’s ground floor becomes an informal gateway into Fukuoka’s cultural scene. The October 1 edition is held in collaboration with Art Fair Asia Fukuoka.

10/1 (Thu.)
THE CAFE by ONE FUKUOKA HOTEL
ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. 1F, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official website

Kamome Bazaar 2026 Autumn

Food, market stalls and music come together on Fukuoka’s waterfront at this community festival. Just minutes from the city center, the harbor offers a place to eat, listen to music and spend time by the water, with a glimpse of everyday life in the port district.

10/3 (Sat.)-10/4 (Sun.)
Kamome Hiroba
Minato 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official Instagram

* Information is current as of September 9, 2026 and is subject to change. If you notice any changes, please contact Fukuoka Now.

 

Category

Tag

Published

Last Updated

View All