The first day of this sample itinerary will take you through a wide variety of Fukuoka’s highlights, including shrines, fish markets, Nokonoshima island, and the yatai cuisine of the Nagahama area. The second day will feature the Kanpachi・Ichiroku train trip to Yufuin before we settle in for sight-seeing and a dip in the onsen. The third day will finish it all off with visits to some of Yufuin’s best dessert shops!

Start at Hakata Station.

Kego Shrine

A shrine that set up to worship three distinct deities. First of them is Yasomagatsuhi no Kami, who is said to provide means of correcting bad or evil behavior. Second and third are Kannabi no Kami and Oonabi no Kami, both associated with the purification and exorcism of evil. As a result, the shrine is associated with bringing good luck and the removal of the bad. The current shrine was established by Kuroda Nagamasa in 1608 over 400 years ago. 

This is a historic shrine known as a power spot in the Tenjin area. It is said to bring blessings such as protection from bad luck, fulfillment of prayers, and luck of victory.
The Omikuji fortune telling slip here changes its color according to the season: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Why not try your luck?

Kego Shrine
[Address] 2-2-20 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[TEL】 092-771-8551
[Hours]
Opening hours: 6:30~18:00, Prayer time: 9:00~16:00, Red Seal time: 9:00~16:30
[Holidays] Open every day of the year
For details, please visit the official website.

The Nagahama Fish Market

Since 1955 this market has served as the central wholesale market for seafood in Fukuoka. The fresh fish caught in the Sea of Japan and Sea of China are put on market here and are eventually being sent out not only to other parts of Kyushu but everywhere in the country. Eateries in the area (including conveyor-belt sushi stores) serve this fresh seafood to eager customers.

The Hakata Fishing Port is one of the largest fresh fish markets in Japan. The market sells about 300 kinds of fresh seafood caught in the rich fishing grounds of the Genkai Sea, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and other areas throughout the year.

The first floor of the Market Hall is lined with restaurants featuring set menus, conveyor-belt sushi restaurants, and Chinese restaurants. You can enjoy fresh seafood from all over Kyushu and western Japan. Some of the restaurants open early in the morning, and many visitors come here for breakfast.

The Nagahama Fish Market
[Address] 1F, 3-11-3 Nagahama, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
[Business Hours] Varies depending on the store.
[Holiday・Days off】Depends on the store.
For details, please visit the official website.

Torikai Hachimangu Shrine

The god enshrined here is said to be affiliated with the Kuroda family who ruled over the Fukuoka region, and has an affinity with marriage. The shrine is said to have its origins from the time of Empress Jingu around roughly 200 AD, having over 1700 years of history. In December 2022 the shrine was renovated with a concept of “returning to the starting point”. The shrine also sponsors several well-regarded initiatives that go against what is generally expected from shrines.

In 2022, the shrine pavilions, which have been maintained since 1817, will be extensively renewed for the first time in 205 years. In 2022, the shrine underwent a major renovation for the first time in 205 years. The "main shrine relocation ceremony" was held to move the sacred object to the new main shrine building, and both the worship hall and the main shrine building were redesigned with many straight lines. 

Torikai Hachimangu Shrine
[Address] 2-117 Imagawa, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[TEL】092-741-7823
[Business hours】Shrine office: 9:00-17:00 *Worship is available 24 hours a day.
[Closed】Non-working days
For details, please visit the official website.

Washio Atago Shrine

One of the oldest shrines in Fukuoka, with a history extending to 72 AD. It is counted among the 3 Major Atago Shrines of the country as well (the others being in Tokyo and Kyoto). While known for being a power spot, it is also quite famous for the excellent view of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome and Fukuoka Tower that it commands. 

This is one of the "Three Great Atago Temples of Japan" along with the head temple in Kyoto and Minato Ward, Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to the "God of Fire Prevention" and is said to be beneficial for warding off fire-related disasters, fire prevention, and disaster prevention.

The shrine is located at the top of Mt. Atago. It is also known as one of the most scenic spots in western Japan, with a spectacular view of Fukuoka PayPay Dome, Fukuoka Tower, Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk, Marinoa City, and the Sea of Genkai.

Washio Atago Shrine
[Address] 2-7-1 Atago, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[TEL】092-881-0103
[Shrine Store/Business Hours】8:00~17:00
[Closed】Non-working days
For details, please visit the official website

Nokonoshima Island Park

On a hill overlooking Hakata Bay, a seasonal flower garden with 500,000 canola blossoms, 30,000 Livingston daisies, 50,000 marigolds, and other flowers gradually comes into view… On a clear autumn day, 500,000 early-blooming cosmos and 300,000 late-blooming cosmos add an even further beautiful contrast. 

Nokonoshima Island Park
[Address] Nokonoshima Island, Nishi Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[TEL］092-881-2494
[Business hours】9:00〜17:30 Sundays and national holidays～ 18:30, all winter days 9:00～18:30
[Closed］Open all year round, but flowers vary by season. Please check their website for information on flower seasonality.
[Fees］Adults 1,500 yen, elementary/junior high school students 800 yen, children over 3 years old 500 yen, children under 3 years old free of charge
For more information, please visit the official website.

Nagahama Yatai Street

Fukuoka’s Nagahama area is often considered one of the city’s holy grounds for ramen. In the neighboring Akasaka subway station decorations meant to look like festive red lanterns used by the yatai help to increase the excitement. In the Nagahama area there are various themed yatai ranging from the city’s first mentaiko specialist yatai, a purveyor of authentic Chinese food, and even a baseball themed stall. 

In 1955 together with the inauguration of the Nagahama Fish Market, the concept of ramen kaedama, or a second order of noodles for your broth, was born in the yatai area there. Compared to other yatai districts, Nagahama was further away from the central city area, and this combined with the aging of the original yatai proprietors caused the number of Nagahama yatai began to decline. However, in 2023 7 new yatai in the area were selected, marking a reversal of this trend. Combined with two previously operating yatai in the area, the total in Nagahama now comes out to nine stalls.

In addition to the ramen for which Nagahama is known, the new yatai selection includes rare and unique concepts such as a true Chinese street food vendor and even the city’s first mentaiko themed yatai. One of the best parts about eating in this area is that it is slightly quieter than the other major yatai districts, allowing customers to eat at a slightly more leisurely pace.

Nagahama Yatai Street
[Address] 3-14 Nagahama, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[Telephone] Depends on the store
[Hours] <Opening Hours> at roughly 18:30 to 19:00, closing depends on the store but usually late at night. 
[Holidays] Depends on each stall.

For those seeking to learn more about the yatai not only of Nagahama but around the city, please click on this link: gofukuoka.jp//YATAI
 

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion

The first Mitsui Garden Hotel in Fukuoka, opened in June of 2019. Facing onto Hakata Ekimae Street, this hotel is in the perfect position to help provide a base of operations for visitors to Fukuoka City and those eager to travel around the island of Kyushu. On the top floor there is an open-air bath and large bathing space, in addition to steam sauna rooms. With guest rooms sporting designs taken from traditional Hakata-ori textiles, popular restaurant Uoden also ensures that guests can enjoy a wide variety of foods and cuisines whether for breakfast or dinner. 

The hotel overflows with design choices stemming from the traditional local aesthetic, and its location is truly top notch. The front counter used in the lobby is likened to those once used by the merchants in the Gofukumachi area of the city, for example. Be on the lookout for various ways in which the city promotes its regional affiliations. 

The large bathing area is free to use for guests at the hotel. The indoor bath tubs exhibit an attention to detail in the way that tiles like those used on the roofs of old houses are inlaid on their sides, and overall, the interior has a composed modern Japanese feel to it. 

On the hotel’s first floor seafood restaurant Uoden was opened by popular Mizutaki (chicken hotpot) specialists Toriden. At the buffet-style breakfast they offer you can pick and choose from local delicacies such as Japanese-style rolled omelets, rice bowls piled with fresh seafood, mentaiko baguettes, and miso soup. 

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion 
[Address] 2-8-15 Hakata Ekimae Street, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[Telephone] 092-414-3131
For more details please check their websites. 
 

Rakusuien 

Built by the merchant Shimozawa Zenemon Chikamasa, this pond-featuring style Japanese garden was originally part of a private estate he had built near Sumiyoshi shrine in 1906. It is popular as a place where visitors can witness the changing seasons in the verdure, and for the peace and tranquility that being by the quiet pond affords even in the middle of the city. 

This traditional garden is located among a cluster of office buildings. The garden features a pond as well, a key feature of the chisenkaiyu style gardens such as Rakusuien. The abundant plant life also helps visitors visualize the changing seasons, with spring bringing the weeping sakura trees, early summer the kerria and Japanese iris flowers, and fall the rich reds of maple trees. 

Rakusuien
[Address] 2-10-7 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[Telephone] 092-262-6665
[Hours] 9:00~17:00
[Holidays] Tuesdays
[Fee] Adults: 100 yen, Children: 50 yen (middle school and younger)
For more details please check their website. 

Sumiyoshi Shrine

超過1800年以上歷史的神社。主要供奉的住吉大神是淨化身心的神明。從博

This venerable shrine is full of history, over 1,800 years of it in fact. The main enshrined deity is Sumiyoshi-Ookami, said to be responsible for purifying both mind and body. An 8-minute walk away from Hakata Station and surrounded by 26,800 square meters of forest, the main shrine is a designated important cultural property and it retains the ancient architecture to this day. 

While there are 2,129 shrines dedicated to Sumiyoshi-Ookami across the country this shrine is said to be the first of all of them and is even mentioned in the ancient Kojiki Chronicle. While the god is worshipped primarily in connection with safe sea travel and spiritual and bodily purification, they also have a deep connection to sumo wrestling. Therefore, before the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, a yokozuna dedication ring-entering ceremony is held by the Japan Sumo Association.

The shrine pavilion, designated as a national important cultural property, and the "Ancient Rikishi Statue" in the shape of an ancient sumo wrestler are just a few of the highlights. The famous "Nozoki Inari" is also a must-see. It is said that if you peek into the small torii gate in front of the rock cave, then mirror yourself and make a wish, it will come true.

Sumiyoshi Shrine
[Address] 3-1-51 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
[Telephone] 092-291-2670
[Hours] 9:00 ~ 17:00 
[Holidays] None
For more details please check their website.

The Limited Express [Kanpachi・Ichiroku]

The express "Kanpachi・Ichiroku" train, running approximately 5 hours between Hakata and Beppu, is a DS (Design & Story) train that will begin service on April 26, 2024. Comprised of three cars and entirely green seating (or seats that are more comfortable than the norm), the train runs through the Yufu Plateau Line and uses ingredients from the area in its tasty Oita and Fukuoka-forward bento boxes. The train allows passengers to enjoy the food, customs, and scenery of the region as they travel. 

During the trip, the Kanpachi Train will stop at two stations where visitors can meet local people and shop for local specialties. These are Tanushimaru Station, with its unique kappa-shaped station building, and Era Station, the nearest station to the Yatsushika Sake Brewery. The hospitality at each station is different, allowing you to experience the local culture of the areas along the train line.

The sumptuous lunch served in the train is prepared by a different partnered chef for each day of the week, and features Japanese, Italian, and French cuisine. Enjoy the exquisite menu using ingredients from Fukuoka and Oita prefectures while leisurely gazing out the train windows.

[Route・Time Table] 
Limited Express Kanpachi (Mon, Wed, Sat) departs Hakata Station 12:19 → Yufuin Station 15:41 arrives Oita Station 16:39 → Beppu Station 16:59
Limited Express Ichiroku (Tue, Fri, Sun) departs Beppu Station 11:00 → Oita Station 11:22 → Yufuin Station 12:27 → Kurume Station 14:57 → Hakata Station 15:47
Please refer to the website for more details. 

Yufuin Chikki

This service is located 20 seconds away from the Yufuin train station in the Yufuin Tourist Information Center where they offer a hand luggage checking and delivery service. Apart from their luggage delivery service (limited to lodgings registered with the Yufuin Onsen Tourism Association), they also allow visitors to temporarily check their luggage with them, as well as provide baby stroller and wheelchair rental services. 

For those wishing to explore Yufuin unencumbered by their belongings we recommend this place. As it is right next to the station it is very convenient.

Yufuin Chikki
[Address] 8-5 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture (in Yufu Tourist Information Center)
[TEL] 0977-28-4550
[Hours] 9:00-17:00 (deliveries accepted until 15:00)
[Closed] Open every day
[Fees] 1 adult: Luggage delivery service in front of the station / 600 yen and up per piece, temporary storage / 500 yen and up per piece, please check the official website for details.
For details, please visit the official website.

Yufuin Station Art Hall・Foot Bath

An art hall adjoining Yufuin Station. Art pieces taken from exhibits all across Japan are showcased in the hall’s exhibition space. Information regarding Yufuin’s galleries and art museums can also be found there, and the space and activities within are designed to provide visitors with inspiration and relaxation. Additionally, right outside platform 1 of the station you will find a foot bath that is free to use.

Yufuin Station Art Hall・Foot Bath
[Address] 9-2 Kawakita, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture, 
[Telephone] 0977-84-4578
[Hours] 9:00 ~ 18:00 *Footbath is 9:00 ~ 17:00
[Holidays] None
[Fee] The art hall is free to enter. The footbath is free, a small towel is available for 200 yen.
For details, please visit the official website.

The Yufuin Tourist Information Center

A tourism information center located in a modern building conceived by world renowned architect Shigeru Ban. Wrapped entirely in panes of glass, the design affords guests with an excellent view of Mount Yufu and the wooden beams in the interior help one feel as if they are relaxing in the middle of a forest. In addition to tourism information visitors can also make reservations for the popular horse-drawn carriage, check or send their luggage to their lodgings (note: participating hotels only), or even rent bicycles. 

The artistic exterior designed by Shigeru Ban, an architect active around the world, is impressive. Enjoy the beauty of the architecture prior to entering. 

On the first floor, there is a tourist information counter and "Yufuin Chikki," which delivers luggage to accommodations and provides temporary baggage storage, and on the second floor, there is a "Travel Library," which introduces travel-related books, and an "Observation Deck" with a view of Mt. Yufu.  

The Yufuin Tourist Information Center
[Address] 8-5 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufuin City, Oita
[Telephone] 0977-84-2446
[Hours] 9:00~17:30
[Holidays] None
[Fee] None (Luggage conveyance and checking service, rental bikes will incur a fee)

Yufuin Villa Ju

A hidden retreat located a few minutes from Yufuin’s main road. In the midst of the space that resembles a Japanese garden there are 13 guest room buildings and 14 rooms to stay in. With a great view of the Mt. Yufu in all of its glory, they use only free-flowing and uncycled onsen water straight from the source. Take your time in their accommodations and relax to your heart’s content. They also feature kaiseki-style dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.  

A inn hidden off the main path in Yufuin that has a Japanese garden and excellent view of Mt. Yufu. Each room was designed separately, giving them all a unique flavor from one another. All of them however are made with a modern Japanese aesthetic sensibility however, making this one of the best ways to enjoy a moment of relaxation in town. 

The food on offer features primarily locally sourced ingredients selected with the philosophy of “local production for local consumption”. With a space that seems as if it was inlaid with the four seasons of Yufuin itself, you might find yourself smiling at the sight without even noticing. 

Yufuin Villa Ju
[Address] 2652-2, Kitagawa, Yufuin Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture
[Telephone] 0977-85-4711 
For details, please visit the official website.

Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

The first museum dedicated primary to stained glass artwork in Japan. Exhibiting stained glass from Europe, the museum itself is comprised of the two buildings “Neil’s House” and “St. Robert’s Church”, giving off an air reminiscent of England in the middle ages. With wood featuring heavily in the interior design of the building it gives off a characteristic warmth not to be found in stone-hewn buildings. In this cozy space, we hope you will appreciate the artistic value of these centuries’ old pieces. 

After having done a tour around the museum we next recommend participating in the workshop’s stained glass making activity. To participate reservations are required, and are limited to guests who have been through the rest of the museum first. The acitivity consists of assembling pieces of colored glass to make either mirrors or photo frames, the perfect memory of time spent here.

Yufuin Stained Glass Museum
[Address] 2461-3 Kawakita, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture 
[Tel] 0977-84-5575 
[Hours] 9:00~17:00 *Last entry is at 16:30, 15:00 for museum activities
[Holidays] None
[Fee] Entry: Adults (High school and higher) 1,000 yen, Children (Elementary and Middle school) 500 yen///Stained Glass Activity 1,500 yen 
For details, please visit the official website.

Ogosha 

Surrounded by a grove of Japanese trees, this shrine has an otherworldly aura. The sacred tree, which is over 1,000 years old, is a designated national natural treasure, with a circumference of approximately 14 m at the base and a trunk height of approximately 35 m. The trunk is hollowed out on the underside, where a statue of a deity is enshrined.

Ogosha
[Address] 746-19 Kawaminami, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture
]Hours] 24 hours
[Holidays] None
[Fee] None
 

Mountain Hotel Musoen 

Established in 1938, this ryokan sits on a plateau nestled in the Yufuin basin. They are particularly proud of the excellent view of Mt. Yufu that can be seen from the guest rooms and their large and extensive outdoor bathing space. Their menu features Oita raised wagyu beef courses and kaiseki style meals that reflect the four seasons.

While they are primarily a hotel, non-staying guests can come and use their onsen and services. The open-air bath is overflowing with a kind of country-style charm, and their bathtubs differ from the norm in unique ways. With a terrific view of Mt. Yufu and the extensive outdoor bath that can be accessed from the early morning, they are an excellent way to get the “Yufuin onsen experience”. Another plus is the fact that their family style baths are not reservation-exclusive.

Mountain Hotel Musoen 
[Address] 1243 Kawaminami, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture
[Telephone] 0977-84-2171 
For more details, please see their website. 

La Verveine 

A discrete and almost hidden French restaurant located 3-minutes away from Yufuin station. Featuring a chef who trained in France and at world-famous restaurant Goh in Fukuoka, the cuisine is a cut above the norm and leans deeply into ingredients particular to the region. They also feature a wide variety of sweets such as pound cake and sablés which can even be purchased as souvenirs. The cookie sandwich is particularly popular. 

The restaurant is built into a house that has been reconstructed to give you a taste of the south of France, where you can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients that will revitalize your body and soul. Lunch is a luxurious experience featuring selections such as a choice of fish or meat course, as well as a full course.

La Verveine
[Address] 3064-3 Kawakami, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture
[Telephone] 0977-85-7829
[Hours] 12:00 ~ 14:30. 18:00 ~ 21:30
[Holidays] Not set 
For more details, please see their website. 

Kochopan

Prioritizing the use of Japanese ingredients this bakery is famous for their “Onsen Bagel”. The bagel is a specialty born from the unique climate and geography of the area. The bagel makes use of wheat sourced from Hokkaido, light brown sugar and soy beans sourced from Oita, and salt from Okinawa, all of which is then pressed into bagel form and boiled in Yufuin’s hot spring water. Doing so helps make the bagel springier to the bite. 

Kochopan
[Address] 3725-13 Kawakami, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture
[Telephone] 0977-84-5874
[Hours] 9:00 ~ 17:00 
[Holidays] Sunday and Mondays
For more details, please see their website. 

Yufuin Toki no Iro

A gluten-free chocolate cake specialist that make use of rice grown in Yufuin. Their robust line-up features cakes like their classic chocolate cake, the tasty looking macha chocolate cake, the roasted tea chocolate cake, and even a cheese cake. Designed to resemble the seasons of Mt. Yufu, these treats are a feast for the eyes as well.

Far from being the average gluten free dessert, these chocolate cakes are made with the clear waters of the mountain and tasty rice that can only be grown in the highlands with its mix of cold and hot weather. In addition to the varieties listed above we also recommend the tea chocolate cake made with Yakushima black tea, roasted tea, and matcha from Yame [Wa-tcha Chocolate Cake]. 

Yufuin Toki no Iro
[Address] 2939-4 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture 
[Telephone] 0977-84-5858
[Hours] 10:00 = 18:00
[Holidays] Wednesdays
For more details, please see their website. 

CARANDONEL

A Canelé specialist located on Ekimae street. Here you can find canelés that are popular for the attention paid towards their texture once out of the oven. One can even purchase their normal merchandise and even some limited-availability items from their online store. At the store they also sell a variety of different things, including chocolates and coffee. 

They have a variety of teas on offer. The “Classic” features leaves sourced from France and Bordeaux, the Japanese Tea is grown without agricultural chemicals and blends bitterness with terrific flavor, and the Masala Chai is built on a base of black tea and a mixture of 5 different spices, including pink pepper. See which one goes best with your canelé! 

Carandonel 
[Address] 2939-4, Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture 
[Telephone] 0977-75-9475
[Hours] 11:00 ~ 17:00 
[Holidays] Wednesdays and Thursdays
For more details, please see their website. 

nico Donuts Yufuin Main Location

A few-minutes’ walk away from the JR Yufuin station, this donut shop pays particular attention to the quality of their ingredients. In the donut base they use soy beans, wheat, and other assorted grains grown in Japan, and while moist their bagels feel considerably lighter and not too oily compared to the standard. They also make soft-serve ice cream and other treats with the soy beans they use for the donuts. A coffee shop adjoins the donut store, making this the perfect place to take a breather after all of the walking. 

nico Donuts Yufuin Main Location
[Address] 3056-13 Kawakami, Yufuin-Cho, Yufuin City, Oita Prefecture
[Telephone] 0977-84-2419
[Hours] 10:00 ~ 17:00 
[Holidays] Thursdays (Occasionally other days as well)
For more details, please see their website.