13 Eat-In and Take-Out spots around Ohori Park (with a custom map!)
In the center of the city, surrounded by blocks of residential apartments, local restaurants, schools, offices, and cultural monuments, Ohori Park is a gorgeous green and blue oasis for residents and tourists alike looking to catch a breather and enjoy the fresh air.
The park features a lively lake full of ducks, koi fish, and turtles, and is surrounded by lush green forest, park benches, stray cats, gangly blue herons, and health-conscious residents making use of the 2 kilometer jogging track that stretches along the perimeter. Just across the street from Ohori is the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, and Maizuru Park - an open spacious area that makes a great meeting point when eating lunch with a large group of friends.
Whether you live nearby or are just coming to visit, Ohori Park is a relaxing place to people watch and spend a sunny day outdoors.
Ohori Park is very easily accessible by subway from Tenjin and Hakata - simply exit at the Ohori subway stop, and you can enjoy a lovely morning or afternoon stroll at the park. This is a great way to take a pause amidst a busy Fukuoka travel itinerary, and if you combine your visit with a takeout picnic from one of the restaurants listed below, it could be exactly the recharge you never realized you needed!?
First thing’s first: Inside Ohori Park there are already several areas where food can be purchased: Pinkberry, Starbucks, &Locals Ohori Terrace, Fukuoka Art Museum, The Royal Garden, etc. All of these are great options if they suit your needs, BUT during holidays or particularly sunny days, these places tend to be extremely crowded (and a little bit overpriced.)
If you’re looking for something off the beaten path and are wanting to dig into local businesses instead of chains or major brands, then keep reading for my personal picks to consider for a day in the park! Scroll to the bottom for the custom Google Map, which will help you navigate your way to any of the listings on this blog post!
Note: Vegan / vegetarian friendly options are marked with a 🌱
SAND GOTO
Open: 8:00am-3:00pm
Closed: Wednesday
A sandwich take-out shop located near the Ropponmatsu / Fukuoka Art Museum side of Ohori Park. Open from 8am - 3pm every day except Wednesday, these ready to go lunch boxes are perfect for a picnic in the park! The shop will close earlier than expected if they sell out of sandwiches for the day, so it’s best to arrive before lunchtime to secure a set for yourself.
MUME
Open: Tuesday/Wednesday 11:00am-5:00pm
Friday/Saturday 11:00am-5:00pm
Closed: Monday/Thursday/Sunday/Holidays
With a humble minimalist aesthetic, MUME is a popular cafe amongst young residents and on the weekends, lineups can be over 30 minutes long, with entry reservations made in advance! Experience a modern twist on some of Japan’s most traditional sweets, from red bean monakas, to cakes and scones using healthy shio-koji (fermented salt). Eat-in seating is limited, but if you come to pick up some treats, Ohori Park is the perfect place to enjoy them. Check the website for the latest information regarding operation hours!
Salad Cafe Hirata (🌱)
Open: 11:00am-6:30pm
Closed: Wednesday/Thursday
For the health conscious, low carb, pro-vegetable crowd, Salad Cafe Hirata is a take-out only operation positioned a short walk from Ohori Park. Reservations in advance are recommended if you’re in a hurry, but walk-ins are accepted as well. You’ll notice “shio kouji” on the menu again here — it’s a fermented type of salt that is said to be good for your health. :)
Kafe Toruko (🌱)
Open: 11:30am-3:00pm // 6:00pm-9:30pm
Sunday: 11:30am-3:00pm Only
Closed: Monday / Thursday
Located in a quiet neighborhood just behind Fukuoka’s NHK building, Kafe Toruko is a great place to grab Turkish favorites such as eggplant and cheese stuffed gözleme, lamb köfte meatballs, chicken or lamb kebabs. Vegan/Vegetarian options are available as well! (English is understood here so don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have about the ingredients used in the dishes!)
Chabugama
Open: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday 11:30am-2:30pm
Friday/Saturday/Sunday: 11:30am-2:30pm / 5:00pm-8:00pm
Closed: Tuesdays / Holidays / Irregular (Check Facebook)
One of the closest lunch spots to the park (without actually being inside the park), this small unassuming udon restaurant is right beside Mister Donut, just past the public parking lots on the Otemon side of the park.
The vichychoisse udon is their specialty, a thick, chewy udon noodle in a cold potato soup broth, topped with seasonal vegetables and tempura - and it’s absolutely delicious! The mentaiko butter udon is also
Although google lists it as open from 11:30-2:30pm for lunch every day except Tuesdays, the shop can be a bit fickle and take holidays on a whim, so check their Facebook Page for the latest updates, or take a chance and consider yourself lucky if you manage to pass by when it is open for business.
Moritoneri
Open: 11:00am-3:00pm
Closed: Thursdays (And Holidays)
A bit of an off-beat restaurant, Moritoneri is so popular that it sometimes has lineups out the door! Located in a reformed Japanese-style home in a cozy neighborhood behind NHK, the owner runs the business off of his personal Instagram Page, and the menu of the day is posted in a hand-written memo on his Instagram Stories. Still, this shop has been featured in several publications and is adored by curry fanatics in the city for it’s hefty servings, hearty curries, and fresh ingredients. Stop by between 11:00am-3:00pm (except Thursday and Fridays) for a big plate full of aromatic spice curry. (The shop may close early if they run out of curry before 3:00pm)
Days Cup Cafe
Open: 11:30am〜6:00pm
Closed: Thursday/Sunday
Stepping into Days Cafe feels like sitting down in someone's home. The warm wood interior is cozy and inviting as the owner (with his signature round glasses) single handedly works his magic with a small selection of sandwiches, desserts, and drinks.
His specialty? Cheesecake. "My cheesecake is the best in Japan!" He says with confidence. It is so popular that it sells out rather quickly, and the cheesecake is strictly eat-in only, no takeout allowed. Drinks and sandwiches, however, are free to take to go if you decide to take a leisurely walk around Gokoku Shrine and Ohori Park!
FYLGDU MER (🌱）
Open: 12:00pm-3:00pm / 6:00pm-10:00pm
Closed: Wednesday
The shop name is not written anywhere outside, it is instead ambiguously represented by it's co-ordinates, so you would not find this restaurant unless you were specifically searching for it.
Although the dishes are more Mediterranean than Icelandic as the name suggests, the focus of FYLGDU MER is to create a space where food is a source of both nourishment and excitement. The pita bread is handmade and packs a serious crunch, the produce is rotated depending on seasonal availability, and fruits and vegetables are strictly seed-grown organic (the co-ordinates of the produce are proudly displayed as well.)
The prices are a little high but FYLGDU MER serves volume, ambience, and quality. A great little secret spot that you almost don't want to share. 😬Not sure about vegan compatibility as there may be hidden animal products (doesn’t hurt to ask), but the falafel sandwich is vegetarian friendly.
Taco Mia (🌱)
Open: 11:30-8:00pm
Closed: Mondays
Although tacos might not be the obvious choice for tourists coming from overseas, as residents we are elated to have a fast-food taco stand right outside of Ohori Park. These tasty tacos can be customized with your choice of fillings and salsas, and can be made vegan/vegetarian as well! Whether you’re eating them in-store, or taking them back to the park, these tacos make a tasty snack and go great with a cold can of beer.
bearbear (🌱)
Open: 1:00pm-7:00pm
Closed: Sunday / Monday
This 100% vegan (and gluten free) patissiere is a bit far from Ohori Park itself, but can be easily reached via a shortcut through the Fukuoka Castle Ruins on the other side of the park! Bearbear is an “allergen free” bakery that uses soy instead of dairy, and almond and rice flour instead of wheat. Grab some sweets to-go and enjoy them in the Castle Ruins, Maizuru or Ohori Park.
BIOTOP FUKUOKA
Open: 9:00am-11:00pm
Closed: Never
BIOTOP FUKUOKA is a trendy shop outside of Ohori Park that is part nursery (the kind for trees), part apparel shop, and part restaurant. Course meals, a-la-carte items, seasonal desserts, coffee, and alcoholic beverages can be enjoyed here — and the restaurant is pet friendly! A great choice for a date, a catch up with friends, or a nice rest before or after exploring Ohori Park!
Sushi Dokoro Juraku
Open: 11:30am-2:00pm (Last Order 1:30pm)
5:30pm-10:00pm (Last Order 9:30pm)
Closed: Sunday
A short walk from the Ohori Park subway station exit, Sushi Dokoro Juraku is a good stop for those wanting fresh quality sushi for a reasonable price (my personal motto is that if you come to Japan and only eat conveyor belt fast-food sushi, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice!) . Lunch sets come with a side dish and miso soup. Takeout is also available, so you can have your sushi set lunch in the park!
Kura-Shoten（🌱）
Open: Thursday-Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Closed: Monday-Wednesday + Holidays
Kurashoten (@kurasyouten) is a small Taiwanese cafe, only a short walk from Ohori Park, that specializes in "douhua", a sweet tofu pudding with customized toppings such as peanuts, tapioca, mochi, bean paste, and other seasonal options. This soy-based dessert is healthy, light, vegan friendly, and perfect for a sunny picnic in the park. 🌿♥️
Other menu options include bubble tea, a selection of Taiwanese oolongs, Taiwanese-style omelette crepes, boiled gyoza, and warm soymilk soup. The cafe operates on a limited schedule (closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Holidays) and the menu changes frequently, so check Instagram for the most recent information before making a visit.
For a reference map with location points for easy navigation, save the Google Map below to your own phone! You can refer to it when you’re actually at the park, for an idea of what’s available when you get there (and check the listings for their operation times, and browse menu photos for an idea of what to order.)
There are so many choices around the area, you might even find something that isn’t on the list - but for those who like to plan ahead, it’s good to know what options are available. Have fun, and enjoy your day in the park!
For more up-to-date restaurant listings and reviews (in ENGLISH!) be sure to check out my Instagram feed below!
Did I miss anything important? Let me know your tips and recommendations in the comments below! I always love hearing when you’ve gone and tried any of my recommendations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know if you’ve enjoyed something—or even if you didn’t! Your tips can help other travelers plan their itineraries when they come to visit, so all information is helpful!