ACROS Fukuoka is a cultural complex in Tenjin, the central district of Fukuoka, next to Tenjin Central Park. The Argentine architect Emilio Ambasz designed it with a glass face on the north side and stepped gardens on the south side that continue the greenery of the park. Inside, the Fukuoka Symphony Hall hosts concerts, and the building also has galleries, a cultural information center for visitors, shops and restaurants. Plan time for the garden terraces and the rooftop view over the city.
The building and its architect
ACROS Fukuoka was designed by Emilio Ambasz, an Argentine architect known for his work in green architecture. The name is an acronym for Asian CrossRoad Over the Sea.
The north side is a glass facade that faces the financial district. The south side is a series of terraced gardens that continue into Tenjin Central Park, so the building seems to rise out of the park.
The complex is built over two underground floors and above-ground floors that hold the concert hall, offices, galleries and a visitor center.
The Step Garden
The terraces climb about 60 meters and are open to the public. Stairs zig-zag up through the planting, so you can walk to the top along the garden path.
From the street or the back of the building, the structure looks like a steel and glass office block. From the south side, the planting seems to have grown up and over it.
The garden stands on a site that had been a park before the building, and the planting was designed to replace that green space in the city center.
Inside the building
The Fukuoka Symphony Hall has about 1,800 seats and is used mainly for classical concerts. Other halls hold exhibitions, lectures and events, and the galleries show traditional Fukuoka crafts.
The Cultural Information Center is for visitors who want to learn more about the city and the region. The building also houses government and private offices, including a prefectural passport center.
A gallery on one of the upper floors has a coffee lounge, and the interior has small shops.
Eating and shopping
The restaurant on the ground floor has been open since the 1960s. On the basement level you can find a tempura restaurant and an ice cream shop.
The interior is a good place to shelter from summer heat or rain, since you can move between the galleries, shops and restaurants without going outside.
Getting there and access
ACROS Fukuoka is a short walk from Tenjin Station, and the entrance is next to Tenjin Central Park. The building has a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom and parking lot, and a changing table for babies.
Transit IC cards are accepted in the building.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
The garden terraces are free to enter. The rooftop observation area is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Can you walk to the top of the building?
Yes. A path of stairs runs up the garden to the rooftop observation area on the 14th floor. It is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Is ACROS Fukuoka wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible.
Where is ACROS Fukuoka?
It is at 1 Chome-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka. It sits next to Tenjin Central Park and is a short walk from Tenjin Station.
