Recommendation for one day trip tourist spot from Hakata. Feel free to enjoy!

Recently lined with hotels, restaurants, shopping district, and commercial facilities, “Hakata” area is the busiest area of Kyushu. Start from Hakata area; we introduce the attractions suitable for one day trip. Through nature, history, and culture, lets re-discover the charm of Fukuoka.

A land full of nature, let play and enjoy! Hiraodai Countryside Park

北九州観光.com

Hiraodai Countryside Park locates in Kitakyushu, it is one of the largest karst plateau made of limestone in Japan. The karst plateau, a unique terrain construct by limestone melted by rain and ground water. You can enjoy the sight from the observatory of the park. Surrounded by blue sky and lush greenery, you can spend a leisure time there and also you will feel like you are abroad.

Despite its name as Park, it is also a facility with tons of thing to experience. Workshop, observatory, wildflower gardens, carefree square, and plateau orchard, you can spend whole day here. Experience items are plentiful such as pottery or soba making. Admission is free which makes it an attractive spot.

Access: [train] about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Ishiharamachi Station, [car] about 20 minutes from the Kyushu road Kokuraminami IC.
Official site: http://www.hiraodai.jp/sato/index.html

Nostalgic atmosphere Mojiko Retro Area

nimame

Moji Port, opened in 1889 as a gateway of trade, is the area flourished as a cornerstone of international trade from Meiji to Taisho Era. Even until now there are vestiges of bygone days with the western style buildings, you can enjoy the exotic streets. Mojiko Station was built in the Taisho era, Old Moji Customs was built in 1912, there is also building named Old Moji Mitsui Club which was the hospitality and accommodation facilities of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in 1921, there are plenty of nostalgic buildings.

On the other hand, from around 1995 it was planned to develop as a retro area, Mojiko retro observation room designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurokawa was one the iconic structure. Its height 103 meters, with a marvelous view where you can enjoy the retro streets of the Kanmon Strait and Moji, and it is a popular spot for couple to enjoy the night view.

Since Mojiko retro area can be explored on foot or bicycle within half a day, it is perfect for day from Hakata. There are rickshaw services so you can enjoy a romantic nostalgic time while enjoying the scenery. Gourmet spot and restaurants where you can enjoy the famous curry have also been enhanced, it is ideal to take a break there.

Access: [Train] 5-minute walk from JR Moji Station / [car] About 8 minutes from the Kyushu Expressway Moji IC.
Official site: http://www.mojiko.info/

The riverside district of Yanagawa

TAK TOKIO

Yanagawa town flourished as a castle town in the Edo era. Even until now, some of its moat was left behind, which is known as the riverside district of Yanagawa. It is famous to go around the moat, you can spend a good old time by listening to the introduction and songs on the boat.

Along the moat, it is full of nature of each season. Yanagawa is also known as the land of great writers, including Hakushu Kitahara. Therefore, poetic tablet or monument were built around the district, you can have fun finding those tablets and monuments.

Yanagawa special product is eel. Many well-established store baking eel near the station. Since it takes about an hour train from Hakata, it is fit for one day trip.

Access: 5-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station
Official site: http://www.yanagawa-net.com/

God of literature or calligraphy Michizane Sugawara, Dazaifu tenmangu

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Dazaifu tenmangu which is known for worshipping the god of literature or calligraphy Michizane Sugawara, is the perfect spot for day trip from Hakata due to its distance. People who wish to pass tests and academic achievement visit Dazaifu Tenmangu from all over the country. In the spacious vicinity, from mid-February through mid-March there is about 6,000 plum tress of 200 varieties. There are varieties of early flowering to late-blooming, you can appreciate different types of plum in extended period of time..

In addition, there is a pond called Shinjiike that represents the character of the heart, three bridges were built to represent the past, present, and the future. Walk across the bridge can purify your heart and regain strength.

Dazaifu special product is “Umegaemochi” (plum stick cake). It is a thin rice cake filled with red bean paste, in fact it does not contain plum, the stick and plum are derived from one of the Sugawara’s episode “Flying plum legend”, there are lots of well-established store along the approach. Tasting and compare each plum stick cake is one of the ways to enjoy.

Access: walk about 5 minutes from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station
Official site: http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/

walking around “Itoshima”

http://find-travel.cdn-dena.com/

If you want to enjoy a leisurely day trip from Hakata, please come to visit the sea of Itoshima. Itoshima community bus operate within the city, so you can enjoy sightseeing even without car. Since it is close to the sea , many cafes and restaurants have great sea view. Live concert and fireworks events take place during the summer on the beach. There are many fashionable goods and galleries which are fun to walk around.

Access: about 40 minutes by train from Hakata, get off at chikuzen maebaru Station
http://www.city.itoshima.lg.jp/site/184/

Meet a cute Sylvania! “Kashiikaen Sylvania Garden”

http://www.jalan.net/

It is a convenient day trip location which is about 30 minutes’ drive from Hakata. Meet a life-size Sylvanian Families, it is a popular theme park for families. It has rides, of course, but also zoo with goat, rabbit and guinea pig, or you can enjoy the flowers blooming throughout the year. The donut-shaped running water pool will be opened during summer and \you can enjoy the 25 meters slider pool!

Access: 1-minute walk from Kashiikaenmae station
http://www.nnr.co.jp/kashiikaen/

ranch in the middle of Aburayama “Mo-mo-land Aburayama ranch”

http://fukuoka-park.com/

Located in the middle of the Aburayama at an altitude of 597 meters, ranch occupied land area of about 47 ha. Tasty ice cream and milk is their popular gourmet. In addition to milking experience,and horse riding experience, there is also a barbecue facility. It is going to be a good day trip from Hakata by enjoying various activities in such an attractive location. Free admission is great too!

Access: 25 minutes by bus from Fukudaimae Station (about 30 minutes by car from Hakata)
http://www.mo-mo-land.com/

Fukuoka’s premier theme park that you can enjoy day trip from Hakata “Space World”

http://ms-cache.walkerplus.com/

A theme park suit a wide range of ages, lots of rides with the theme of universe. There are plenty of water amusements such as Adventure cruise, Fan Fan Cruise and Planet Aqua. Swimming pool open in summer while winter can enjoy skating, lots of events take place in every seasons!

Access: 5-minute walk from Space World Station, 1 minute from Kitakyushu city Edamitsu IC
http://www.spaceworld.co.jp/

Relax in a wide site! “Nature Bath Nakagawa Seiryu”

http://ekitan.com/

Men and women consist of 14 types of open-air bath, family bath, sauna, etc. It is especially relaxing in such a vast site. Free shuttle bus available every day from Hakata Station and you can feel free to access this spa on one day trip.

Access: 20 minutes by car from the Ohashi Station, 15-minute drive from Hakata-Minami Station
http://www.nakagawaseiryu.jp/

Locates in the Nokonoshima “Nokonoshima Island Park”

http://pds.exblog.jp/

Theme park at Nokonoshima in front of Hakata Bay. It takes 40 minutes bus to travel to Meinohama terminal from Hakata Station, which is very accessible for one day trip. You can enjoy seasonal views such as of rape flowers and cherry blossoms in spring, early summer hydrangea and azalea in early summer and poppies in middle summer.

Access: 10 minutes ferry from Meinohama terminal to Nokonoshima terminal
http://nokonoshima.com/

Historic Walking of Kitakyushu is here! “Kokura Castle”

https://upload.wikimedia.org/

You can visit the Kokura Castle from Hakata as one day trip! Kokura Castle was built in 1602 and the current castle tower was restored in 1959. Interior has become a museum, from the castle tower visitor can overlook the streets of Kokura and Kokura Castle garden.

Access: 15-minute walk from Kokura Station
http://www.kokura-castle.jp/

Attracting tourist spot! “Koinoki shrine”

http://blogs.c.yimg.jp/

This shrine is suggested to enhance ones’ love fulfillment and Good marriage. There is one one Koinoki shrine in Japan, and many people come from faraway after they watch the introduction on television and media. You go there for one day trip from Hakata. Inside the shrine is filled with heart icons which create a cute atmosphere.

Access: 5-minute drive from the Hainuzuka Railway Station plus 20-minute walk, 10 minutes from the Kyushu Expressway Yame IC
http://www.mizuta-koinoki.jp/koinoki/

Spa facility that can go by bus from Hakata Station “Dream feeling hot spring” (yumekokchi fukunoyu)

http://tabi.chunichi.co.jp/

This facility consists of numerous baths such as open-air bath, Jet bath, salt sauna, Stadium sauna and mist sauna. There are also bedrock baths, family bath, dining place. Adult weekdays 600 yen, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 650 yen.

Access: Get on bus 214 from Hakata Station bus stop A towards Nogata, get off about 40 minutes.
http://www.fukunoyu.com/

learn the railway history of Kyushu “Kyushu Railway History Museum”

http://userdisk.webry.biglobe.ne.jp/

Without being influenced by the weather, visitor can learn the railroad history of Kyushu in this museum. It is nice to go there from Hakata on a rainy day. Various kinds of real models can be found in this museum, for example, trains of the Meiji era, steam locomotive, models of the popular trains, children will have lots of fun there. Driving simulator experience is one of the popular spot. Moreover, there are lots of exhibitions in each season.

Access: 5-minute walk from Mojiko Station the harbor station
http://www.k-rhm.jp/

Golden seal was excavated here, “Shikanoshima”

http://at.very7.net/

Because it is connected with Uminonakamichi (road on the sea), it is easy to access. In good weather day, a lot of people from Hakata visit here for one day trip. The island has a gold seal park and Manyo(poet) monuments, you can enjoy the nature and history here. Attractive seafood gourmet can be found here too. There is a beautiful beach on the island while marine activity in summer is also great!

Access: Get off at Saitozaki Station or, about 30 minutes from Hakata terminal get on municipal ferry towards Shikanoshima.
http://www.sikanosima.jp/

Agriculture learning! “Oodeyama 2000 years park”

http://fs-basaro.jp/

In this agriculture park, you can overlook natural sights such as Mino Mountain Range, Chikugo River and Chikushi Plains. It is known that there is a rare persimmon farm. In the experience hall, you can join pottery class, cook local cuisine and plant dyeing. Since it only take one hour drive from Hakata city , it is possible for one day trip.

Access: about 10 minutes from Oita expressway Asakura IC
http://www.city.asakura.lg.jp/www/contents/1297840405558/

Children attraction “Dazaifu amusement park”

http://ms-cache.walkerplus.com/

Inside the precincts of Dazaifu, this is amusement park is target for children. You are surrounded by nostalgic devices such as Merry-go-round, Thomas train, coffee cup, ladybugs rollercoaster. Since it is near Hakata, you might not feel tired to come with children for one day trip. Adults 400 yen, university students 300 yen, junior high school students or above 300 yen elementary school students 200 yen.

Access: 10 minutes walk from Dazaifu station
http://www.dazaifuyuuenchi.com/

Small hot spring facility in Kurume city “Minou Sansou”

http://www.minou-sansou.com/

It is located on a hill of the Mino Mountain Range, from the open-air bath overlooking the scenic Chikugo plains. Cafe space is set up so you spend some time there after enjoy hot spring.

Access: 15 minutes from Oita expressway Asakura IC
http://www.minou-sansou.com/

Japan’s largest biotope “Hibikinada biotope”

http://www.asahi.com/

This 41 hectares biotope is the largest in Japan, it is a learning facility of organisms and nature. Entry fee is valuable, general people 100 yen, elementary and junior high school students 50 yen. It is simply great to come here to experience the nature from Hakata.

Access: 20 minutes by car from Wakamatsu Station, 30 minutes by car from Kokura Station
http://www.hibikinadabiotope.com/

locates in Yameshi Hoshino village “Ikenoyama kirara hot spring”

http://sasp.mapion.co.jp/

This day hot spring facility use simple alkaline hot spring which helps skin becomes smooth. There are two types of open-air bath, good view bath and forest bath which are swapped for men or woman according to even days and odd days. Adults 500 yen, 250 yen dwarf.

Access: Hirokawa IC, 45 minutes drive from the Yame IC
http://www.hoshinomura-ikenoyama.com/access.html