Hi Reader,

When Gary and I stopped in Fukuoka on our Carnival Luminosa cruise, I wanted to do two things. I wanted to see what teamLab was all about and go up Fukuoka Tower. We fit in both, plus a little shopping and a sit-down lunch, and still made it back to the ship by 3:35 p.m.

Visiting Fukuoka From a Cruise Ship

We started with a stop at Don Quijote before our 11 a.m. entry at teamLab Forest Fukuoka. If you’ve never done a teamLab experience, this one lets you become part of the art. We colored a salamander and a butterfly, then watched them show up in the artwork. It was fun trying to spot our own creations once they joined all the others.

After teamLab, we went to MARK IS for a buffet lunch. I was glad we’d left enough time to sit down and eat before heading to Fukuoka Tower.

We booked our tower tickets through Klook and went up to the observation deck for views of the city and Hakata Bay. We also did the stamp rally and picked up a Fukuoka Tower keychain. I like bringing home little souvenirs like that. Every time I see it, I’ll remember the day we colored a salamander in Japan

Travel Tip of the Week

Planning a Port Day Without Feeling Rushed

I start with the ship’s all-aboard time and work backward. When we explore on our own, I aim to be back at least an hour before the ship is scheduled to sail, and earlier if the posted all-aboard time or traffic calls for it.

Then I pick one thing to plan the day around. In Fukuoka, that was our 11 a.m. teamLab reservation. Shopping, lunch, and the tower all fit around it. If we’d started late, we could’ve skipped shopping. If we’d needed more time to get back to the ship, we could’ve headed straight to the port after lunch.

We used the GO taxi app to get to Don Quijote and also to get back to the ship. One thing I’d do before leaving the ship is save the exact name and address of your cruise terminal. Some apps display place names in Japanese, so having the English name and a map pin handy makes it easier to confirm you’ve selected the right spot.

This Week’s Travel Recommendation

Find teamLab Forest and Fukuoka Tower Tickets on Klook

If you’re planning your own Fukuoka port day, you can find tickets for both stops on Klook. I’d choose your teamLab entry time first, then see how the tower fits around it. Give yourself time to enjoy the art, sit down for lunch, and look out over the bay without checking your watch every few minutes. Klook is similar to Viator and GetYourGuide, but is more prevalent in Asian countries.

​Explore Fukuoka tickets on Klook​

What would you do first in Fukuoka, color something at teamLab or head up the tower for the view? Hit reply and let me know.

Until next time,

Melodie
​Travel Must Do's​

P.S. Join the Come Travel with Melodie Facebook group to share travel tips, ask questions, and connect with fellow travelers.

P.P.S. Some links may be affiliate links, which means if you click and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Travel Must Do's.