8 Incredible Spots for Your Fukuoka, Japan Road Trip

Japan – the Land of the Rising Sun and of highly efficient public transportation also has the best roads for a scenic and joyful drive. If you’re looking for a laid-back feel with wide roads, blue skies, and a beautiful countryside then your next road trip adventure should definitely be in Kyushu!

One of the four main islands of Japan, Kyushu can be found in the southern part of the country, so you can expect mild winters and humid summers. You have seven prefectures in Kyushu to explore: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Ōita, Saga, Kagoshima, and Miyazaki, each with its own unique charm and must-visit destinations — that’s why many opt to explore more than one prefecture in one trip! While you could always explore with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass, trying out a car rental in Japan is really an experience on its own.

Once you experience it, you’ll feel as if Kyushu was made for road trips. Apart from wide space, smooth roads, and polite drivers, you can also expect a whole lot of views of majestic mountains, lush forests, and the clearest rivers. To top it all off, there are many rest stops called michi-no-eki, roadside stations where you can park for free and rest in between your destinations. In a typical michi-no-eki, you can find restaurants, local produce, museums, and even hot springs!

Just by the shoreline of Kyushu is where you can find Fukuoka, where you can expect drool-worthy eats, jaw-dropping city views, and massive malls to shop to your heart’s content! Although if there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss out on, it’s the wide variety of food in Fukuoka. Did you know that two popular ramen chains, Ichiran and Ippudo, actually started here? Apart from that, Fukuoka has over 30 Michelin-starred restaurants and almost 60 Bib Gourmand restaurants — need we say more?!

To get the most out of your Fukuoka road trip, we prepared a list of destinations you could go to – from the must-try yatai (food stalls) to the must-see cherry blossom spots, get ready for an unforgettable Fukuoka trip ahead!

First things first, getting your car. Getting a car rental in Japan is actually really simple and you can even book directly on Klook! All you have to do is input the dates you plan on driving, select a car, choose add-ons (e.g., English GPS, toddler seats, etc), and input your driver information. You can check out A Short Guide to Booking a Klook Car Rental and Driving Abroad for more details as well as how to get your international driver’s license if you don’t have one yet.

Aside from your car rental, do consider getting an eSim or renting portable WiFi. Having one will significantly help you get around, it will be your best travel buddy! You’ll need it mostly for Google maps and quick translations.

We compiled a list of exciting spots for you to add to your trip! The spots include eating destinations, cherry blossom locations, romantic city views, and of course – breathtaking views that will also give you a scenic drive. Let’s start!

You can’t visit Fukuoka without checking out the many yatai throughout the city! Yatai are open-air food stalls where you can find all kinds of mouthwatering eats like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), tetsunabe gyoza (pan-fried dumplings served in a cast iron pan), and of course – the famous, Hakata Ramen. Fukuoka is actually where Tonkotsu Ramen originated, where it’s more known as hakata. The soup base comes from pork bones that have been boiled for long hours, creating the rich and creamy broth it's known for. Just follow the lanterns and bar stools to spot the yatai all lined up in Nakasu along Naka River, they usually open at 6PM.

Need a helping hand in choosing the best eating spots? A local guide can help you find the right ramen shops and give you a personalized Tonkotsu Ramen experience, based on a questionnaire that will be given to you before your trip!

Fukuoka is known for many dishes, and one such famous dish is the tetsunabe gyoza, these are pan-fried dumplings served on a sizzling iron skillet and are usually enjoyed with beer. For the real deal, you could head on over to Tetsunabe Nakasu Honten, a long-standing local favorite and is widely known for tetsunabe gyoza! Their recipe hasn’t changed since they started in the ‘60s and their dumplings are always meticulously made by hand.

While you’re there, you can experience painting your own Hakata doll just five minutes away! Hakata dolls are unglazed clay dolls all carefully handmade and unique to Fukuoka, they have since been recognized worldwide and is a charming souvenir you could give yourself or someone you love!

Located in Maizuru Park, Fukuoka Castle was once the largest castle in Kyushu until after the Meiji Restoration. The massive structure and its grounds were almost entirely destroyed because it was seen as an unwanted symbol of Japan’s feudal past. Now with some of its surviving structures, the entire complex still has its beauty and charm intact that many flock to, especially during sakura (cherry blossom) season. The grounds have the prettiest walking paths lined with cherry blossom trees, as well as many lawned areas where you can have hanami parties. Hanami parties are small gatherings where locals and tourists have picnics while admiring the famed pink flowers.

Just a 2-hour drive away is one of Japan’s most scenic bridges, the Yamaguchi Tsunoshima Bridge. The bridge connects Tsunoshima to the mainland and offers the best ocean views you’ll witness during your drive.

You could also enjoy a day trip to the bridge along with Karatao Market, a must for sushi lovers, and two important shrines in the area, Motonosumi Inari Shrine and Akama Shrine.

Only a 30-minute drive from central Fukuoka is Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, a huge park right across the bay where you can enjoy all kinds of flowers and fun outdoor activities like biking and picnics. The park also has beautifully lined cherry blossom trees you can admire and take as many photos as you like!

The park may be too big to walk entirely on foot which is why you can find bicycles to rent, a shuttle service, and even segways!

A scenic 40-minute drive from central Fukuoka will get you to the torii gate of Sakurai Futamigaura and, within its view, two large rocks joined by a shimenawa rope (a type of hemp rope used in the Shinto religion). There are also many cafes nearby if you feel like staying a little longer to enjoy the views.

Just a half-hour drive away from Itoshima, you can reach Fukuoka PayPay Dome and watch the Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS live! The height of the pandemic forced entry limits to the games but now – overseas fans can finally and easily purchase their tickets with Klook!

Right in the grounds of Fukuoka PayPay Dome is also another favorite and an immersive experience you wouldn't want to pass up, it's teamLab Forest!

For great city views, drive over to the top of Mt. Sarakurayama where you can overlook the city of Kitakyushu! It’s best to head over there as it’s getting dark, so you could see the bright lights that illuminate the city. While you’re in Fukuoka, it’s also a good idea to try out an onsen experience if you haven’t yet. There are a number of onsens you can choose from like Manyo No Yu Onsen where you could also stay overnight and enjoy a breakfast buffet or Korona Onsen where you can choose from their many hot spring pools.

Even long ago, Hakata was already a busy district as it was the center of Japan’s trade. You’ll also notice a lot of influences from Korea and China — this is because Hakata is nearest to these East Asian countries and it’s actually nearer to Seoul than the capital, Tokyo! Now, you’ll find a whole lot of massive shopping malls like Daimaru, Fukuoka PARCO, Tenjin Core, and Canal City.

If you feel overwhelmed with the choices, you could join a Downtown and Street Shopping Tour where a local guide will take you around Hakata from local boutiques, shopping malls, museums, and even a visit to Kushida shrine.

Even with a variety of modern shopping malls, Hakata still has its old merchant town charm. You can still find traditional and local delicacies like Karashi Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and small shops all lined up like in SunRoad shopping mall or fresh seafood and vegetables at Yanagibashi Market.

Now that you have an exciting Fukuoka road trip ahead, make sure you check out these Japan travel essentials for a fuss-free adventure!