Fukuoka - place of interest and halal food

Hi. I'll be going on to business trip to Fukuoka and will be staying there for 4 weeks. The location might be Hakata-ku, not sure yet...

I've come across some articles about the halal food choice, but real people suggestions do count. Please include your suggestions or comments etc.

Also, what do you suggest i do there, during weekend or may be at night? I'd appreciate some real guide. I'll be going with another person, but we'll be staying at different place. So i'll have to survive alone basically.

Please say whatever you want to say about fukuoka. It'll be my survival guide.

Hi,
Well as far as what to see and do, one of the most comprehensive sites on the city is at:

http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html

There are also many videos of good places to see at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-j4RLa6iC7ayvBAbOn8-0...

But regarding food, you may be in a bit of a quandary depending on how strict your diet is.
One of the first places you might look at is:
http://fukuoka-now.com/2014/03/fukuoka-city-muslim-friendly-restaurant...
for restaurants that will appeal to you. But you can't eat out all the time or it will kill your budget. So you might also look at:
http://fukuoka-now.com/2014/05/halalminds/
This place should also be able to help you:
http://www.fukuokamasjid.org

Hello Ken.
Thank you for your responce. I have to stay for a month in foreign place with very little knowledge about the language. Every single info is valuable. I'll check the links you shared. Thanks.

Anyway, will the people be kind enough to show me the way, or to help taking photos? I am really worried.

Also, I'll have to look up the info about internet access. Any suggestion about any apps that can assist me with navigation?

Hi,
I don't know what your arrangements will be, but in general Japanese people are quite happy to help out if you get lost, need to take a picture etc.
Regarding net access, the city offers free wi-fi if you have the device to take advantage of it. See:
http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/wi-fi/english/
There are many places in the city to access it.
There is also a subway day pass you can use if you will be riding a lot in a given day, as well as a Fukuoka Tourist City Pass (with many small discounts available at popular places as well as being able to ride the subways and buses. See:
http://yokanavi.com/access_tourist_eg

Thanks again.
All those sites are helpful.

Will it be snowing January?

The schedule will be pretty much like usual office worker. I have to go to office on weekday, so i'll only have night and weekend to explore Fukuoka.

I've been checking about "Fukuoka City Subway" and wonder about HAYAKAKEN. I am staying for 4 weeks, during which i will be working weekdays and will be going out weekend. Is it worth it to buy a HAYAKAKEN?

I am looking for something like Hong Kong Airport express travel pass, which need top up after certain days instead of paying for whole month fees in a single transaction. Is that what HAYAKAKEN is?

The Hayakaken is just a prepaid card, and yes it is rechargeable. It beats carrying a bunch of coins around. Although if you'll be in Fukuoka for a month and constantly using the subway, a 1 month commuter pass might be cheaper for you.
There is more info on:
http://subway.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/eng/fare/index.html
You can also see regular fares on:
http://subway.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/eng/fare/fare_table.pdf
It's also unclear what visa you will be arriving in Japan on. If a Temporary Visitor status, than you could also use a JR Kyushu Rail Pass to see some other cities like Nagasaki, Beppu, Kumamoto, etc. Kumamoto is just 40 minutes away by bullet train, and offers some great sights like its castle and beautiful Suizenji Garden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9xyXmU8U1g
Beppu is about 100 minutes away with a good connection, and could also make a good day trip. The Hells Tour, hot springs, and monkey park/aquarium are all nice:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-hOggZamc2lUNTr46ApKX...
Nagasaki is 2 hrs away and worth an overnight, but if all you can do is a day trip there it'd still be worth if you made an early start:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-gbw2yXNLK92siHyNqSNx...
Even Kagoshima City is about 90 minutes away, and seeing Sakurajima and the Senganen are worth it.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-irtXXB8IJMdkB9mF0qjn...
The pass is good for 3 days, but you could recover the costs in just one. More info is on:
https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass.html
But if you arrive in Japan on a work or student visa, you are not eligible.

BTW, it snows every year - but in that area, it rarely snows enough to accumulate on the ground. Normally it just melts right away.

I've been perusing the links and some available website. It was a bit of a disappointment that there's not much interesting event or places during winter. The garden would be so lovely in spring/autumn, and i'd miss that.

Anyway, i've read about Marinoa City outlet. Would anyone tell me about the price? Is it worth a visit? I plan to look for handbag and watch if the price is reasonable.