In late December 2025, I visited Fukuoka (福岡) for the first time. Travelling during Japan's year-end holiday period is always tricky because many tourist attractions and local restaurants close for the season. However, with some careful planning and research, my friends and I built an itinerary exploring beyond the city centre and focused on experiences best enjoyed in winter.

It turned out to be a memorable trip filled with shrine hopping, fresh local delicacies, and relaxing hot springs. If you're looking for things to do when the usual spots are closed, keep reading for my recommendations and a four-day itinerary.

Table of contents

Day 1: Local Seafood Lunch, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Onsen Accommodation
Day 2: Day Trip to Yufuin, Koura Taisha Shrine, Nakasu Yatai Stalls
Day 3: Exploring Itoshima Peninsula (Sakurai Torii, Oyster Huts, Totoro’s Forest)
Day 4: Souvenir Shopping, Saying Goodbye

Day 1: Local Seafood Lunch, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Onsen Accommodation

🚅Morning: Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) → Fukuoka (Hakata Station)

Anticipating the worst, we had secured our tickets a month in advance without any trouble. We took the fastest service, which cost 16,020 yen one way and reached our destination in approximately 2.5 hours.

The journey flew by as we tried to spot Himeji Castle from the window and worked our way through convenience store breakfasts. There are no longer sales of food and beverages on the bullet train, so make sure you bring something for your journey.

💡Tip: If travelling from Shin-Osaka station, book a train that starts its journey there! The train will usually arrive at the platform early, giving you an extra 5 minutes of boarding time.

🍣Lunch

There are plentiful options around Hakata Station, however we ventured out in the direction of our rental car location and stopped at Hakata Maruhide (博多丸秀). There was a line with office workers as it was the last working day of the year, but that only raised our anticipation that it must be worthwhile. Travelling as a group of six adults can make seating difficult but we were lucky to be seated at two kotatsu-style tables next to each other.

I chose the Hakata Seafood Bowl (海鮮丼 kaisen-don) and was blown away by the freshness of the seafood. At 1200 yen, it would definitely cost more for the same meal in Osaka, putting me in high spirits from the excellent first introduction to Fukuoka's food scene.

seafood bowl set with miso soup and japanese pickles

⛩️Afternoon: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (太宰府天満宮)

After picking up our rental car, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was an easy 30 minute drive from the city centre. As someone who loves visiting shrines with a unique story behind them, Dazaifu Tenmangu had been on my list for years. Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar who was exiled to Dazaifu, the shrine also serves as his final resting place.

The shops on the path leading to the shrine were bustling with business as shrines are a popular pitstop to visit during the New Years holiday. We couldn’t resist trying the strawberry daifuku with Amaou strawberries and local specialty Umegae mochi (梅ヶ枝餅). The rice cake is filled with red bean paste and baked to a golden crispy brown, warming both our hands and our stomachs. Also note the plum blossom marking, a symbol of Michizane's as it was his favourite flower.

Although a little early, we picked our fortunes as per New Years tradition and made our prayers at the main shrine. It was still undergoing renovation but it felt equally as special seeing the temporary set up.

Also located on the shrine grounds is one of Japan's national museums, Kyushu National Museum. It was the museum I was most interested in visiting, however I'll have to come back as it was already closed for the holidays.

♨️Evening: Checking into Daimaru Besso (大丸別荘)

My friends visiting from abroad had never stayed in an onsen, so that was one of the requirements I had for this trip. I personally think that onsens outside of the big cities are always going to provide a more authentic and laid-back experience, as that is the biggest appeal of staying in one in the first place.

Onsen is not the first thing to come to mind for Fukuoka, however I believe I found a true hidden gem. Daimaru Besso is a traditional Japanese ryokan located in Futsukaichi Onsen, and has over 160 years of history. We arrived after dark and the cozy dim lights added to the majestic aura of the wooden building. A lady dressed in a kimono welcomed us in and told us to have a seat in the spacious lobby while they checked us in. It was my first time being served a welcome drink at an onsen so it felt extra luxurious.

We were budgeting for around 11,000 yen per night, and this was the only onsen available upon searching but it honestly felt like a steal. We stayed in a large tatami room that had two rooms for three futon beds each, and another room with a dining table set and sliding doors that led to the garden grounds.

I usually don’t care much for travelling during winter, however it is truly heaven sinking into hot water after being in the cold all day! My friends also enjoyed the abundant skincare amenities available and being able to bathe together allowed conversation to naturally flow (once you get over the vulnerability of being naked!)

Day 2: Day Trip to Yufuin, Koura Taisha Shrine, Nakasu Yatai Stalls

🚗Noon: Yufuin Floral Village

After our relaxing night at Daimaru Besso and a leisurely breakfast, we checked out and set off towards Yufuin (由布院) for our first full day of exploring. The 1.5 hour drive made it an ideal day trip destination and our target was Yufuin Floral Village, a picturesque collection of stone cottage inspired by the English countryside. Some of these cottages housed specialty shops, such as Ghibli goods, Peter Rabbit, and Moomin, adding to the whimsical vibe and nickname “Ghibli Village”.

To be honest, I had no idea about the village until my friends suggested it and I underestimated how busy it would be, even for winter. It seems to be very popular with fellow day-trippers, and was already bustling with people by the time we arrived. If I could visit again, I would aim for mid-morning instead and maybe visit in spring for the ultimate whimsical experience.

Lake Kinrin (金鱗湖) is another landmark of the town. Fresh water and hot spring water flow into the lake, creating a phenomenon of steam rising from the surface on cold winter mornings. We were lucky enough to witness it firsthand, and it reminded me of Lake Taupo back home in New Zealand.

Wandering the resort town with a snow-capped Mt. Yufu in the distance was surprisingly charming. Looking back, I wish we had stayed a night and explored the area at a more leisurely pace.

⛩️Late Afternoon: Koura Taisha Shrine (高良大社)

On our drive back to Fukuoka City, we took a detour to Koura Taisha Shrine. This is a location that we would've easily skipped if it was any other time of year, but since we had time, the view from the top intrigued us. Located at the top of Mt. Koura, it is the highest ranking shrine (ichinomiya) of the old province in this area. The stairs weren't as bad as they looked, and they had assisted accessibility (although it was already closed when we arrived). We lingered for a while in hopes of catching a glimpse of the sunset, but unfortunately the clouds rolled in. Aside from a handful of other visitors, the shrine grounds were quiet and made a great stop to stretch our legs before continuing our journey.

🍜Late Night: Nakasu Yatai Food Stalls (中州屋台)

Our next accommodation was in the city centre and gave us convenient access to the Nakasu Yatai Food Stalls. A direct 15 minute walk meant that everyone (including the driver) could eat and drink late into the evening without any worries. Even at 10:00pm, the popular stalls had a long but neatly arranged line of people waiting. We picked a place that could seat all of us quickly and ordered some ramen and yakisoba.

The ramen itself probably isn't the best bowl in Fukuoka, but the atmosphere of eating outdoors beside the river on a cold winter night made the experience worthwhile. It’s one of those classic Fukuoka experiences that’s worth trying at least once. I think I'd like to go back for oden next time!

💡Tip: We actually ate appetizers at an izakaya before heading to the stalls to “finish off the meal” since we were only interested in getting a bowl of ramen.

Day 3: Exploring Itoshima Peninsula (Sakurai Torii, Oyster Huts, Totoro's Forest)

🌊Afternoon: Itoshima Peninsula (糸島半島)

Our main exploration area today was Itoshima Peninsula, located less than an hour away from the city center. On the way, we made a quick stop at Fukuoka Tower. While it is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, we decided not to go up and instead continue towards the coast. Personally, if you're limited on time, I don't think it's an essential stop.

Our anticipation rose as we watched the city landscape fade into sandy beach and rolling waves. Even on a sunny winter day, the resort-town atmosphere was unmistakable, and I could easily see why the area becomes popular in summer.

Our first destination was Sakurai Torii. The pure white torii against the blue ocean is the perfect photo spot, and it perfectly frames Futamigaura, the “couples” rocks linked with a rope. We took photos in front of it for good luck, and there was an unspoken system where the person waiting behind you would take your group photo before stepping up for theirs.

🦪 Late Lunch: Kishi Port Oyster Huts

If you like oysters, then you'll know that winter is the best season for them. Itoshima is home to several ports with oyster huts, some of these huts only open during the winter so it's a must if you're visiting in winter!

We chose Noburin and donned vinyl jackets to wear over our clothes as protection. These helped prevent the smell of smoke from clinging to your clothes, but also served a more important purpose: protecting us from the occasional exploding oyster that sprayed hot juice in every direction!

Most huts allow BYO of your own drinks and condiments, and this hut also happened to be the producer of a brand of oyster called Himeka (姫夏) which took the top spot at the 2025 Oyster Grand Prix. We ordered 1kg of oysters for 1200 yen, along with an array of other items for the grill. Even with side dishes, our total came to 2,400 yen per person, which felt like incredible value for such fresh seafood.

Sitting around the grill with friends and eating freshly harvested oysters straight from the shell ended up being one of the highlights of the trip for me personally. If I had to recommend one winter-specific experience from this itinerary, it would be these oyster huts.

🌳Late Afternoon: Itoshima's Totoro Forest

Our last stop before returning to the city was a small stretch of coastline just north of the oyster huts. With so few people around, we were able to slow down and listen to the sound of the waves. The Totoro Forest was also a fun adventure, and the short trail led to a beautiful view overlooking the ocean. The landscape felt untouched and reminded me of the coastal walking trails I grew up with in New Zealand.

🍶Dinner: Yakitori Goku (焼き鳥と餃子ごくう)

To finish off our final evening in Fukuoka, we settled into a local yakitori near our accommodation. The staff were so welcoming to all the visitors, and the beautifully presented food and endless sake was the perfect way to end the trip. As we looked back on the shrines, hot springs, and winter scenery we had experienced together, I couldn't help but feel a little sad that our holiday was already coming to an end.

Sakurai Torii and Futamigaura Couple Rocks

Day 4: Souvenir Shopping, Saying Goodbye

As it was our final day and everyone was departing for their next destinations around noon, we deliberately kept our plans flexible. Here are the few places I visited before catching my train home.

☕FUK Coffee

The coffee has a high reputation, but more than anything, the eye-catching name piqued our curiosity. FUK Coffee is an airport-themed coffee shop, with the name taken from the code for Fukuoka Airport. We waited in line for 20 minutes before ordering and although the coffee was good, I wouldn't wait more than 30 minutes for it.

🚗Yamaya Factory Terrace

Since I was leaving last, I took a quick trip out to see a factory where they showcase mentaiko (spicy cod roe). It was a quick 30 minutes drive from the city and had a generous parking lot. While I'm not the biggest fan of mentaiko, it is the specialty of Fukuoka so I felt obliged to learn something before leaving. I've never seen so many varieties of mentaiko products before, and they offered free samples for some items. As it is a fully operating factory, you could also observe the product lines from the observation windows and learn about the seasoning process. I left with a much greater appreciation for the delicacy and think I will give mentaiko another chance.

🦐Lunch: bubude coffee

A friend had previously recommended this cafe to me and it was conveniently located near the Yamaya Factory Terrace so I stopped here for lunch. I had high expectations from the photos I had seen, and was not disappointed at all! They also sold baked goods out front, and the canelé was legitimately the best I've had to date. I bought a couple as souvenirs to take home, and can still taste it on my tongue as I'm writing this.

🛍️Afternoon: Souvenirs and Bullet Train Home

Typical individually packed souvenirs are sold at the same price at all stores, so I decided to get them just before boarding the train. The long-time favourites are Hakata Torimon and Menbei, both of which were easy to find at Hakata Station. Hakata Torimon is very similar to Osaka's Tsukigesho, although I have to admit that I prefer the Fukuoka version!

Fukuoka turned out to be the perfect mini-getaway for the year-end holiday period. Although it required a little extra planning, we ventured out from the usual attractions and discovered things we might have overlooked. Looking back, some of my favourite memories were the ones outside the city centre: soaking in a historic onsen, grilling oysters by the sea, and stumbling upon quiet spots away from the crowds. With a newfound appreciation for Fukuoka's incredible seafood and winter charm, I already know I'll be back.

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