Perfect Entry to Japan – Fukuoka Travel Guide

When you hear Japan, Tokyo is a quick association. It’s a major city home to millions of people and can be a daunting place to visit. Other notable cities are Osaka and Kyoto, which come to mind. But what if I told you there’s another city that’s a better entry to Japan? It has the city feel that Tokyo and Osaka offer, but with less chaos and a slow-paced life. I present to you: Fukuoka. Fukuoka is the 6th largest city in Japan on Kyushu Island. It has the major offerings of a Tokyo with the Shinkansen, an airport, ferries, etc. Most importantly, it’s great for families with little ones where you’re not bumping shoulder to shoulder with strangers and there’s enough space for the strollers!

I recently went to Japan this spring with my friend. We wanted to see the cherry blossoms and explore bits of Japan we haven’t seen before. Fukuoka was a great entry point as there were direct flights from Hong Kong, and since it’s a smaller airport, customs was a quick experience where we didn’t have to fight the mass of people entering. We saw some videos of entry through Haneda or Osaka airport, and we were so glad we opted for this smaller city. Fukuoka offers the perfect blend of city and beach.

Where to Stay in Fukuoka

Staying near the Hakata Station is a great choice as it’s a central location where you can easily hop on/off the subway to other parts of the city. An airport line also takes you from the Fukuoka airport to the city if you decide not to take a taxi. I’ve enjoyed the Mitsui Garden Hotel chain from my previous stays and will try to pick Mitsui Garden hotels if possible. We stayed at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Nakasu, a 10-minute walk to the Hakata Station and a 2-minute walk to the Hasida Shrine subway entrance. If you’re planning day trips from Fukuoka, the Hakata Station has many offerings.

How Long to Stay in Fukuoka

We recommend at least 2 days in Fukuoka and longer if you’re looking to make some day trips. We stayed in Fukuoka for 3.5 days with a full day spent in Itoshima. 2 days in Fukuoka give you time to visit Dazaifu to explore the grand Tenmangu Shrine and see the laying Buddha (if time permits). Fukuoka is also a great place for vintage hunting. Great prices for reasonable condition and not an upcharge like what you’d see in Tokyo.

Notable Activities in Fukuoka

Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu

Dazaifu is a perfect place for a day trip from Fukuoka. There’s a famous Shinto Shrine, Tenmangu, and you can easily get there from Fukuoka on the train. It takes you right to the main street with all the shops and snack stalls. It reminds me a lot of the Kiyomizu area in Kyoto, only it’s a fraction of the size with fewer people. There are a lot of delicious snack stalls, so make sure you share your food purchases if possible, so you can try all the goodies. The local specialty here is Umegae Mochi, and you’ll see plenty of stalls that sell this.

Dazaifu Namiman is a famous soba noodle shop here. If you want to eat here, we recommend stopping by first to grab a ticket and walking around the street while you’re waiting for your number to be called. We got there before noon and got seated immediately. We saw the line get longer right at noon. This is a small restaurant, and so the wait could get long if you get there late.

Itoshima Day Trip

Itoshima is another day trip recommendation. You can take the airport line from Hakata Station to
Chikuzen-Maebaru Station. Around the corner, you can rent a bike and bike to the beach and see Sakurai Shrine Futamigaura Torii, and check out local stops along the way. We enjoyed this day so much and cannot recommend it enough. Check out my Itoshima day trip post for more details.

Vintage Shopping in Fukuoka

My friend and I made it a point to go vintage shopping whenever we could, looking for handbag deals. There are a few spots around Tenjin-Minami we shopped at, and these are the notable spots:

• HIGHTIMES VINTAGE: A small shop with the kindest workers ever! They had a good selection of items that were reasonably priced. I bought Reid a vintage Hermes tie for ~$40! 100% silk, and it was in such good condition. This won’t be your beautifully laid out store like Amore or Vintage Qoo in Tokyo, but if you search, you can find great deals.
• 2nd Street: They’re a well-known second-hand shop with many locations throughout Japan, with a small footprint in the US. This location has 2 floors with a lot of clothing options and some bag options.
• Super 2nd Street: This is 2nd Street but in a bigger location with a huge selection of items, including surfboards and home goods. My friend and I found a lot of vintage goodies here. I found a vintage Celine purse and Celine wallet for ~$200! The bag is not in perfect condition, but I love the patina on the bag. They sell their 2nd Street Original clothing at this location as well. Their clothing selection was expansive and in great condition. We spent a few hours here sorting through the goodies. The highlight of our vintage shopping trip.

Notable Fukuoka Restaurants

Fukuoka’s local specialties are Hakata Ramen, Motsunabe, and Mentaiko. You’ll definitely have to try these when you’re visiting Fukuoka! We ate at a lot of places but shared our favorites below.

• Restaurant Nola: Fantastic fine dining restaurant if that’s something you’re looking for. You can make a reservation online. The quality, service, and ambiance were top notch. The servers do not speak English well, but it’s enough to get by. We were so full by the time we finished.
• Hyotan Sushi: This restaurant is super popular, and I would recommend you to line up before they open to avoid a long queue if possible. We got here a little bit later since we were at the Super 2nd Street earlier in the morning. The wait was ~30 minutes and well worth it. This restaurant has different sushi combos along with à la carte items. The abalone was still moving when it was served on my friend’s plate. Busy place with a lot of locals and tourists!
• Original Motsunabe Rakutenchi Hakata Station Branch: Fukuoka is known for Motsunabe, which is a hot pot with chives and beef intestines. It sounds super rich, but the broth is so simple it complements the protein! The chives add a sweetness to the broth. A lot of locals were at this location. Be prepared to smell afterwards, so maybe wear items that you won’t mind smelling.
• Hakata Issou: The pork broth is so rich, you can’t stop drinking it. We went to the Gion location that was around our hotel. It’s a small restaurant where you’ll have to queue up. The line moves quickly as you order ahead of time at the machine and present your voucher to the staff. The ramen is placed in front of you as soon as you sit down.