Golden Week is just around the corner, bringing a run of holidays during one of the most comfortable times of the year. It’s an ideal season for city walks and easy day trips.
In 2026, Golden Week runs from April 25 to May 6. Across Fukuoka, outdoor events, markets, and seasonal flowers will be at their peak. This guide organizes options by date and theme, making it easy to plan and enjoy even a short break efficiently.
Golden Week Highlights
Hakata Dontaku Port Festival (Fukuoka City)
One of Fukuoka’s largest annual events, held on May 3 and 4. Parades and performances take over the city center, with wide-ranging traffic restrictions in place. For details, see Fukuoka Now’s Hakata Dontaku Guide.
Outdoor Markets & Food Events (Various Locations)
During Golden Week, craft and food markets appear across the city, especially around Maizuru Park and Tenjin. Each venue offers a different mix, making it easy to visit multiple spots in one outing.
Wisteria & Azalea Season (Across the Prefecture)
Around Golden Week, the season shifts from wisteria to azaleas. Many shrines, temples, and parks feature clustered plantings, allowing you to enjoy seasonal blooms even with limited time.
Golden Week Events Around Fukuoka
A full roundup of events taking place in and around Fukuoka during Golden Week.
April 26–29 (First Half)
Outdoor markets and seasonal events begin to pick up across the city. In areas around Fukuoka, large-scale pottery fairs are also held in production regions. Wisteria is approaching peak bloom during this period.
• 3/20~5/17 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Uminonakamichi Flower Picnic 2026
• 4/21~6/14 (Dazaifu City): The Magnificent Hosomi Collection: Jakuchu, the Rimpa School, and the Fine Art of Kyoto
• 4/24~26 (Itosima City): Itoshima Handmade Carnival
• 4/24~6/28 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): The Great Dinosaur Exhibition
• 4/24~26 (Tagawa City): 52th Aganoyaki Spring Ceramic Festival
• 4/25 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Farmers Market – Midori no Machi Marche
• 4/25~26 (Nishi-ku, Fukuoka): GGBC ’26
• 4/25~26 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Torikai Hachimangu Shrine Curry Festival
• 4/27 (Itosima City): Takasu Kagura Shinto Dance
• 4/26 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Hakozaki Shrine Flea Market
• 4/26 (Itosima City): Celebration of Itoshima Green Onions
• 4/26~5/6 (Itosima City): Shiraito Falls Fureai-no-Sato: Yamame Fishing Festival
• 4/28~5/5 (Munakata City): Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament 2026
• 4/29 (Itoshima City): Ito Okashi Fes
• 4/29 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): 11th Sharing Market
• 4/29~5/5 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kyushu Craft Beer Week 2026
• 4/29~5/5 (Arita-cho, Saga): Arita Ceramic Fair
• 4/29~5/5 (Karatsu City, Saga): Karatsu Yakimon Ceramic Festival
• 4/29~5/5 (Hasami-cho, Nagasaki): Hasami Ceramic Festival
April 30–May 2 (Mid-Week)
Crowds tend to ease slightly during this period, making it a good time for exploring the city. Azaleas begin to reach their peak.
• 5/1~17 (Fukuoka City): TACHINOMIST10
• 5/2~6 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Marine World Night Aquarium
• ~5/17 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Uminonakamichi Flower Picnic 2026
• ~6/14 (Dazaifu City): The Magnificent Hosomi Collection: Jakuchu, the Rimpa School, and the Fine Art of Kyoto
• ~6/28 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): The Great Dinosaur Exhibition
• 4/26~5/6 (Itosima City): Shiraito Falls Fureai-no-Sato: Yamame Fishing Festival
• 4/28~5/5 (Munakata City): Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament 2026
• 4/29~5/5 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kyushu Craft Beer Week 2026
• 4/29~5/5 (Arita-cho, Saga): Arita Ceramic Fair
• 4/29~5/5 (Karatsu City, Saga): Karatsu Yakimon Ceramic Festival
• 4/29~5/5 (Hasami-cho, Nagasaki): Hasami Ceramic Festival
May 3–6 (Peak Period)
Major events such as the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival bring citywide activity, including road closures in central areas. The city center is busy throughout the day, and travel to nearby areas also increases during this period.
• 5/3 (Itosima City): Sakurai Futamigaura, Shimenawa Festival
• 5/3~4 (Fukuoka City: Hakata Dontaku Festival 2026
• 5/3~4 (Fukuoka City): Hakata Matsubayashi
• 5/3~4 (Itosima City): Fukuoka Green Party
• 5/3~5 (Toho Village, Fukuoka): Koishiwara Spring Pottery Festival
• 5/4 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kyushu Pixel Marche
• 5/5~10 (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka): Fukuoka International Women’s Tennis Cup 2026
• ~5/6 (Itosima City): Shiraito Falls Fureai-no-Sato: Yamame Fishing Festival
• ~5/5 (Munakata City): Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament 2026
• ~5/5 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): Kyushu Craft Beer Week 2026
• ~5/5 (Arita-cho, Saga): Arita Ceramic Fair
• ~5/5 (Karatsu City, Saga): Karatsu Yakimon Ceramic Festival
• ~5/5 (Hasami-cho, Nagasaki): Hasami Ceramic Festival
• ~5/6 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Marine World Night Aquarium
• ~5/17 (Fukuoka City): TACHINOMIST10
• ~5/17 (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka): Uminonakamichi Flower Picnic 2026
• ~6/14 (Dazaifu City): The Magnificent Hosomi Collection: Jakuchu, the Rimpa School, and the Fine Art of Kyoto
• ~6/28 (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka): The Great Dinosaur Exhibition
Fukuoka Now Original Guides
A curated selection of seasonal guides researched and compiled by the Fukuoka Now editorial team. Designed for solo outings as well as trips with friends or family, these guides offer practical ways to make the most of Golden Week.
Strawberry Picking Guide 2026
Fukuoka is known for premium strawberry varieties such as Amaou and Toyonoka. This guide brings together farm locations offering picking experiences, along with seasonal timing to help you plan your visit. Strawberry picking can typically be enjoyed through Golden Week and into early May.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/guides/fukuoka-strawberry-picking-guide/
Wisteria Guide 2026
This guide highlights notable wisteria spots across the prefecture, with context on their history and location. It includes sites such as shrine and park trellises that can be easily incorporated into a city walk. The best viewing period typically runs from late April to early May.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/guides/wisteria-guide/
Azalea Guide 2026
This guide features notable azalea spots in and around Fukuoka, with details on access and peak viewing times. Many locations are found in parks and shrine grounds, where large clusters create sweeping landscapes of color. The best viewing period typically runs from mid-April through Golden Week.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/guides/azalea-guide/
Clam Digging Guide 2026
A practical guide covering everything from preparation and equipment to basic techniques, making it accessible even for first-timers. It also introduces key clam-digging spots around Fukuoka. In 2026, the most suitable dates during Golden Week are April 28–30 and May 1.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/guides/clam-digging-guide/
Free Things to Do in Fukuoka
A go-to guide highlighting free spots and services across the Fukuoka urban area, curated with an international perspective. Useful for Golden Week outings or showing visitors around.
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/guides/free-in-fukuoka/
Originally written in April 2016, updated April 2026.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in Apr. 2016.