Located on the northern shore of Kyushu, Fukuoka is one of Japan's most vibrant cities: It is the fastest-growing city outside Tokyo, it has the youngest average population and has gone to great lengths over the past few years to position itself as Japan's startup capital.
Compared to larger cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, Fukuoka is extraordinarily compact: It takes just 10 minutes to get from the airport to the city center. Yet the city packs in an extraordinary amount into that space: from beaches and mountains, to Japan's oldest Zen temple and even one of Asia's 50 Best restaurants. For visitors, this is excellent news: In one weekend you'll see a microcosm of Japan as a whole and leave infused with the city's boundless energy.