Fukuoka is 1 hour and 30 minutes by plane from Seoul and 3 hours by boat from Busan. It is a Japanese gourmet city that is great to visit on the weekend.
This guide is a perfect itinerary to taste Fukuoka’s top five specialties in 2 days and 1 night.
30 minutes from the airport, focusing on gourmet food around Hakata Station
Founded in 1985, the originator of the world-famous Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen. Thin noodles in rich and creamy tonkotsu broth. There are two types: Shiromaru (light) and Akamaru (spicy). Customize to your taste with red ginger, sesame seeds, and red pepper oil on the table.
Fukuoka Youth Street. Vintage shops, independent bookstores, unique cafes, and general stores are hidden in the alleys. An indie shopping spot with a more local feel than Tokyo. Visiting Japanese local brands, vintage jeans, and record shops.
Fukuoka kitchen with 100 years of history. A seafood paradise with fresh raw fish, uni (sea urchin), and salted pollack roe. Freshly made sashimi seafood rice bowl (kaisen don) is available at a small restaurant inside the market. Good to buy as a gift after tasting pollack roe.
A restaurant specializing in Fukuoka's famous motsunabe (offal hot pot). A dish made by boiling fresh beef tripe with cabbage, chives, and tofu. Popular among local women as it is rich in collagen and good for skin beauty. Finish by adding noodles or rice at the end.
A symbol of Fukuoka, the riverside food stall (yatai) alley. There are about 20 yatai lined up along the Nakasu River, and you can enjoy ramen, oden, and grilled skewers with beer. The best local feeling, eating while rubbing shoulders with locals.
Fukuoka Airport is a 5-minute subway ride to the city center! The most accessible airport in Japan. The JR Kyushu Pass is recommended when traveling to various cities in Kyushu. Convenient transportation and shopping with the SUGOCA card.
After visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu in the morning, go to the airport.
This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning, and is famous as a place to pray for passing the exam. The 6,000 plum trees on the grounds are in full bloom in spring. Next to the main shrine is the legendary Tobiume, the "plum tree that flew in to escape the rain." Be careful of crowds during New Year and exam season.
One of the most beautiful Starbucks in the world. An unconventional design created by architect Kengo Kuma by weaving together more than 2,000 wooden sticks. The structure that widens from the narrow entrance to the inside is impressive. Limited goods are also sold.
Last ramen before heading to the airport! The Hakata ramen restaurant with the highest approval rating among locals. It is a rich soup made by boiling pork bones for 18 hours, but it is clean and has no unpleasant smell. Adding spicy peppers (karashi takana) on the table gives it a spicy taste.
Dazaifu is 40 minutes by train from Hakata Station. Use Nishitetsu train. The sightseeing train “Dazaifu Liner” has a cute design.