Fukuoka, Japan - all you need to know for a 5 days trip (part 1)
This is to help you plan for a 4-5 days trip in Fukuoka. The best tourist spots, and best restaurants all that I personally have tried.
Part 1 is to get you through how to escape from the airport, which area you should book your accommodation at, and what should go inside of your tummy.
It’s still work in progress, and hope you will find this guide useful for your upcoming trip!
Day 1 - landing
1.1 Fukuoka Airport > city centre
Hakata airport is just a few subway stations away from the busiest city centre in Fukuoka.
How to go from Fukuoka airport to city centre? Hop on the free shuttle bus and go from international terminal (國際線) to domestic terminal (國內線). From there you can take the subway (airport line) to the city centre (e.g. Hakata station/Tenjin area)
1.2 where should I stay?
Personally I would recommend hotels near one of the below options
Tenjin (天神) area - there are a lot to shop there, department stores, underground street that connects basements of all department stores, and a lot of amazing restaurants in the food court as well.
Near Hakata (博多) station - if you planned to travel to other cities (e.g. Yufuin 由布院/Dazaifu 太宰府), and you don’t feel like waking up early to catch a train, better live near Hakata station.
Highly recommend this hotel in the middle of both areas - Mitsui Garfen Hotel Fukuoka Gion. Clean and tidy hotel room, AMAZING public bath room and MIND-BLOWN breakfast buffet (not sponsored although it sounds like one)
1.3 restaurants I should try
Oh dear load. I am sure you are not finishing all these in one trip. But you should try your very best. Below includes basically everything I think deserve a try.
Hakata Ikkousha (博多一幸舍)
You might not be interested in the farm-like smell when you walk past Ikkousha, but that specific smell is what Japanese called “authentic” for pork bone broth ramen. There are a lot of Ikkousha branches all around Hakata, but easiest one is inside Hakata station
Shin-Shin (福岡の博多純情らーめん)
Basically a less-strong alternative of Ikkousha. Not that much of farm-like smell, and not that salty either. Probably more preferable for first-time ramen experience/foodies who prefer less strong taste.
Nikuichi
OMG I should not have introduced this restaurant to anyone.. I should have kept it myself.
This is one of the best beef BBQ in Hakata. Excellent quality of meat, with a fairly reasonable price. If you’re having only one meal of BBQ, this is it. Long queue though so I would suggest having reservation in advance. You’re welcome.
Daichi no Udon (大地のうどん)
Local and Inexpensive udon you can get. At the time I visited Daichi, everyone there is local Japanese and that’s definitely a good sign.
Not something extremely fancy, but good broth and nice texture of the udon noodle, and interestingly it goes with burdock root tempura (deep fried burdock root). Have a try and you will be in your comfort-food zone.
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