Fukuoka
The new standard for Fukuoka travel!
The best Kyushu trip with Hakata gourmet food and Takeo Onsen hot spring
As a new way to make your Fukuoka trip even more fulfilling, a travel itinerary that combines Hakata sightseeing with the famous hot spring of Takeo Onsen in Saga Prefecture is attracting attention. The main appeal of this is the ease of access from Hakata. There are 66 direct trains a day from Hakata Station to Takeo Onsen Station, combining the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen and conventional line express trains, and it takes just 70 minutes to get there. With the opening of the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen in September 2022, trains will be running at a rate of two per hour, so the flexibility of your itinerary will increase dramatically. With trains running from early in the morning until late at night, you can plan a variety of travel plans, from day trips to multiple-night stays.
Fukuoka City Sightseeing
Hakata area
In the area around Hakata Station, there is the old Hakata city center, where historic temples, shrines and Buddhist temples are scattered around. You can also enjoy visiting power spots, such as Joten-ji Temple, which has a history of around 800 years, and Kushida Shrine, which is known as a god of business prosperity.
You also can't miss the gourmet food of Hakata. At Hakata Ichibangai and Menchanko Kaido, located underground at Hakata Station, you can enjoy the tastes of Fukuoka, such as authentic Hakata ramen, mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and motsunabe (offal hotpot). At Yanagibashi Rengou Ichiba, you can enjoy seafood bowls and sushi made with fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Tenjin area
It takes about 6 minutes to get from Hakata Station to Tenjin Station by subway. Tenjin is the center of youth culture in Fukuoka, and shows many different faces, such as the Tenjin Underground Shopping Mall, which is at the forefront of fashion, and the Fukuoka City Art Museum, which is a center for the arts.
Ohori Park and Maiduru Park are healing spots where the history of Fukuoka Castle and nature are in harmony, stretching for about 2.5 km. The Japanese gardens, which show a different face in each season, are highly rated by tourists.
From Fukuoka Tower, you can see a panoramic view of Hakata Bay and the city of Fukuoka. At sunset, you can enjoy the spectacular sight of the sea sparkling in the setting sun and the city lights twinkling in the distance.
A short trip to Takeo Onsen
As a final part of your Fukuoka sightseeing, we recommend a short trip to Takeo Onsen. Takeo Onsen is a famous hot spring with a history of over 400 years, and the three-story gate of the Takeo Onsen building, which is built in the style of a Chinese pavilion, has been designated as an important cultural property by the Japanese government.
The spring water is a clear, colorless sodium chloride spring with various medicinal properties, including relief from neuralgia, rheumatism, and poor circulation. It is also possible to bathe there for the day, making it perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.
The Takeo City Library and History Museum has attracted nationwide attention as a novel library that includes a Starbucks Coffee shop. The space, which combines Western-style architecture from the Meiji era with a modern cafe space, is also popular as a spot for taking Instagram photos.
Recommended Model Course
From Hakata Station to Takeo Onsen Station, the JR limited express takes just 67 minutes.
- Day 1：After arriving in Hakata, enjoy the area around the station, then visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
- Day 2：After enjoying a tour of Hakata City, go from Hakata Station to Takeo Onsen Station. Take a stroll around the Takeo Onsen hot spring resort area.
- Day 3：Take a stroll around the Takeo City Library and Mifuneyama Rakuen in Takeo City, then move on to Hakata Station.
If you use a rental car, you can also stop off at tourist spots such as the Yoshinogari Ruins and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine on the way. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is known as the god of learning, is a popular spot that attracts visitors from all over the country during the exam season.
Tourist season
Fukuoka has a climate that is easy to enjoy sightseeing in all year round, but spring and autumn are particularly recommended. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing at Maiduru Park, and in autumn you can enjoy the changing leaves at Ohori Park. It would also be fun to visit during the time of large events such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in July and the Fukuoka International Film Festival in October.
Takeo Onsen can also be enjoyed all year round, but it is especially beautiful during the changing leaves season, and the combination of hot spring and changing leaves is the ultimate in relaxation. In addition, the Takeo Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival is held every February, so you can enjoy the early-blooming cherry blossoms and the atmosphere of the onsen at the same time.
By combining Fukuoka and Takeo Onsen, two areas with different charms, you can enjoy a richer trip to Kyushu. Both areas have excellent transport links and are rich in tourist attractions, making them the ideal tourist combination. Why not consider this as a new style of Kyushu travel?
Sightseeing
