We’ll just say it: more people should visit Fukuoka! It’s one of the most underrated cities in Japan for so, so many reasons, but today we want to talk about the amazing Fukuoka day trips! The amount of choice within just 90 minutes of the city is pretty unmatched, and none of the day trips on this list need a car; they’re all easily reachable by trains, buses, and boats (yes, boats)!
In this post, we’re sharing our favourite Fukuoka day trips as travel experts who also love to visit all of these places ourselves!
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5 Best Fukuoka Day Trips
Yanagawa
If you want to experience a city so pretty it looks straight out of a slice of life anime, then you have to make time for Yanagawa. It is sometimes called “the city of water” or the “Venice of Kyushu”, and from the moment you arrive, you’ll understand why.
Yanagawa might be one of Japan’s smaller cities, but there’ll you’ll find 900+ km of waterways. It is built around these beautiful canals, and yes, there are plenty of perfectly picturesque boats ready to give you a tour of the city. These waterways were built over 300 years ago, when Yanagawa became a castle town, but today they make for the loveliest way to explore the city. You can ride under bridges and past some historic sights, and just sit back and enjoy the relaxing experience.
For foodies, Yanagawa also offers some delicious bites. It’s best known for unagi (freshwater eel), and especially a dish named unagi no seiro-mushi. It’s marinated and steamed eel served over rice in a traditional lacquerware dish and finished with a sweet sauce.
Time From Fukuoka: 50 minutes
How to Get There From Fukuoka:
Hop on the Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta Line direct from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station to Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station. Limited express trains are your best bet and get you there in around 50 minutes, no transfers needed.
Dazaifu
If you want to dive into some history without straying too far away, then Dazaifu has to be our top recommendation. It’s home to Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of Japan’s most important shrines. The main hall has been undergoing a three-year-long renovation, but finally reopened earlier in 2026 for visitors to see…and we have to say, it’s pretty incredible.
The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. So don’t be surprised if you arrive to find lots of students clutching ema plaques (wooden boards for writing down prayers). They’re there to pray for exam success!
The shrine grounds are incredibly gorgeous all year round…but if you can time it for late January into early March, then you’ll get to see Dazaifu’s famous plum blossoms. Over 6,000 trees of pink and purple flowers bloom across the grounds at the start of the year. We even think they might be more beautiful than the sakura.
Dazaifu might be most famous for this shrine, but there’s plenty of other wonderful things to do there. For instance, the hillside path behind Tenmangu leads to Tenkai Inari Shrine, a series of red torii gates and a much quieter shrine. Alternatively, Komyozenji Temple is just a few minutes’ walk away where you can see two beautifully raked Zen rock gardens. And for the ultimate history day, the Kyushu National Museum has some very interesting exhibitions on how the area was one of Japan’s first gateways to the rest of Asia.
Time From Fukuoka: Around 45 minutes
How to Get There From Fukuoka:
Take the Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta Line from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station and change onto the Dazaifu Line at Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station, then ride two more stops to Dazaifu Station.
Nokonoshima Island
Way too many people skip Nokonoshima! It is a sweet little island only 10 minutes by boat from the city that is so family-friendly, but also incredibly romantic for couples. After getting off the ferry, just hop on the bus (or rent bikes and cycle) to the other side of the island, where you’ll find Nokonoshima Island Park. Trust us, this is a total gem.
The park consists of nothing but quintessential Japanese whimsy. There’s the “nokonoko ball” (a hybrid of golf and croquet), a petting zoo with rabbits and goats, rope skiing, quad bikes, and you can even stay overnight in a cabin. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also Omoide (memory) street, which is essentially a replica of an Edo Japan-era street. Along it, there are pottery stores (where you can actually take a pottery workshop), and old-fashioned sweets shops. Plus several restaurants to choose from!
However, our favourite thing about Nokonoshima Island Park is the views. There are these spectacular sweeping views of the ocean in all directions, made all the more impressive by a foreground of bright seasonal flowers. No matter where you look, it is just gorgeous.
Time From Fukuoka: 10 minutes by ferry from Meinohama Ferry Passenger Terminal (closer to an hour from the city centre)
How to Get There From Fukuoka:
From Hakata, you can catch a direct bus to Meinohama Ferry Passenger Terminal (around 45 minutes). From there, it’s a scenic 10-minute ferry ride across Hakata Bay to Nokonoshima. Once you’re on the island, catch the connecting bus up to Island Park, which will pick you up right by the port.
Karatsu
Karatsu is a former trading port that has welcomed ships from Korea and China for centuries. Its story is very much a part of its identity today, alongside a laidback, coastal vibe that really does feel completely different from Fukuoka.
Your first stop should be Karatsu Castle. It’s earned the moniker “Dancing Crane Castle” due to its elegant silhouette, made even more striking by being perched on the top of a hill. And the location means some fabulous views from the top over the town and beautiful Kyushu coastline. Karatsu is also amazing for anyone looking for the perfect handmade souvenir, as the region is known for its distinctive, centuries-old pottery style called Karatsu-yaki.
If you’re lucky enough to visit in early November, then you might catch Karatsu Kunchi, one of Kyushu’s most special festivals. Enormous lacquered floats, some standing over five metres tall and depicting everything from dragons to a giant sea bream, are hauled through the streets by locals over three days. It’s been running for around 400 years and honestly has to be seen to be believed.
Time From Fukuoka: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes
How to Get There From Fukuoka:
Take the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line from Hakata Station to Chikuzen-Maebaru Station, then transfer onto the JR Chikuhi Line and ride it through to Karatsu Station.
Takeo Onsen
Takeo Onsen is a hot spring town in Saga Prefecture that is proud to have been welcoming weary travellers for over 1,300 years. It’s a peek into smaller-town Japan, bringing you a more relaxed experience…although there is still plenty to do and see.
The heart of the town is the beautiful red Romon gate, built in 1915 and still the symbol of the onsen district today. From here, you’re spoilt for choice between traditional bathhouses and ryokan, many of which welcome day visitors. Just up the road, don’t miss Takeo Shrine, home to a truly enormous camphor tree thought to be around 3,000 years old. Or for something completely different, there’s the Takeo City Library. It’s regularly ranked among the most beautiful libraries in Japan and worth the visit even if you’re not much of a reader!
Then there’s Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel, where you can see teamlab exhibitions that aren’t all over Instagram. They’re installed inside the hotel, with some changing seasonally, but others remaining there permanently…including the amazing bath house installations. You can literally bathe as the artwork moves around you, with tickets only costing ¥700 (~$.4.40).
Time From Fukuoka: 1 hour
How to Get There From Fukuoka:
From Hakata Station, take the Limited Express Relay Kamome bound for Takeo Onsen. It’s a direct ride right into the heart of town, with trains running roughly every 30 minutes.
Spend More Time in Kyushu!
We know how wonderful Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are…but if we’re honest, we wish more people would make the time to see Kyushu! The southern island is filled with some of our favourite places in the whole of Japan, and there is absolutely something for everyone.
Fukuoka is for foodies, Nagasaki is for history-lovers, Miyazaki is filled with beaches, and Kagoshima has Japan’s most active volcano that you can also actually visit! If you want to know how to add Kyushu to your Japan itinerary, then don’t hesitate to Get in Touch!
Check out our 7-day Kyushu itinerary:
FAQs: Fukuoka Day Trips
Is Fukuoka worth visiting?
Absolutely, yes! We believe that Fukuoka is one of Japan’s most underrated cities, with brilliant food (hello, tonkotsu ramen and yatai stalls), a laidback pace, and some of the country’s best day trips right on its doorstep.
What are the best day trips from Fukuoka?
You’re spoilt for choice, but Yanagawa, Dazaifu, Nokonoshima, Karatsu, and Takeo Onsen are all firm favourites, covering everything from canal boat rides to castles to hot springs, all within about 90 minutes.
What is the best day trip from Fukuoka in winter?
Dazaifu is hard to beat, especially from late January to early March when the shrine’s 6,000 bright pink plum trees are in bloom.
How many days do you need in Fukuoka?
Two to three days is enough to explore the city itself, but if you want to fit in even one or two of these day trips, we’d suggest budgeting four to five days total.
Do I need a car for these day trips?
Not at all! In fact, every destination on this list is easily reachable by train, bus, or ferry from central Fukuoka, so you can leave the driving to someone else.
