Meet Fukuoka, the Japanese destination you’ve been missing out on
Located on the northern part of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka offers an alternative to the main regions of Japan, with a relaxed atmosphere and food culture Aussies are sure to love.
Fukuoka is a region you’ll likely have heard about recently, with the region’s tourism authority putting in work to spread the word about its offering. It’s the home of ancient castles and shrines, and islands bursting with colourful plant life that can be experienced on trail and train journeys.
It’s also a broader region composed of four destinations: Fukuoka Area, Chikugo Area, Kitakyushu Area, and Chikuko Area.
But while the region is certainly home to some of the staples and calling cards of Japan—delicious eats and renowned hospitality—that attract Australians en-masse, Fukuoka is home to its own unique spread of experiences that differ from the rest of the country.
Here are some of the best experiences that you won’t want your clients to miss on their next journey to Fukuoka.
Foodie delights you won’t find anywhere else
While you’ll find crowd-pleasers of Japanese cuisine across Fukuoka, there are plenty of dishes that are only synonymous with this region, like the local Yanagawa favourite Unagi no Seiromushi.
It’s a delicious dish that consists of grilled eel coated in a sweet and salty sauce over rice, which can be found across the city at several long-established eel restaurants.
There’s also the famed French-Japanese fusion cuisine found only on the Coto Coto Train, prepared under the direction of Tsuyoshi Fukuyama, the owner-chef of La Maise de la Nature Goh in Fukuoka, ranked one of Asia’s 50 best restaurants.
Travellers can enjoy the scenery of a train journey alongside some of the best-served cuisine in Japan: What’s not to love?
With a population around a fifth of the size of Sydney’s, Fukuoka city is just 10 minutes from the region’s airport and is known for a few foodie delights of its own. Among these are the city’s popular yatai food stalls, of which there are more than 100 spread across the Tenjin, Nakasu, and Nagahama areas.
Travellers can sample Hakata specialties like ramen, yakitori and gyoza.
For lunch, travellers can also try Mojiko’s local favourite, the Yaki curry, a dish of baked curry topped with cheese and eggs on rice. Experts recommend stopping at Bear Fruit, the region’s best-known Yaki curry restaurant, which is found near the newly refurbished JR Mojiko Station.
Fill your soul with the old world of Fukuoka
An authentic taste of Japan minus the crowds, Fukuoka is also known for its Olle trekking courses, filled with beautiful bamboo forests, riverboat (donkobune) experiences along the canals of Yanagawa, and 17th-century castle ruins, among an assortment of other splendid experiences that would make for great itineraries.
But a visit to Fukuoka would be incomplete without savouring some of its local culture and antiquity, which each happen to be tied to some stunning experiences of nature, whether in Fukuoka city, Itoshima, or Yanagawa.
In Fukuoka city, visiting Maizuru Park to see the ruins of Fukuoka Castle and its stunning vegetation, designated a Natural Treasure of Japan, is a great family experience as it is also connected to Ohori Park, which happens to host its very own contemporary art museum, the Fukuoka Art Museum.
Getting out of the city, travelling by car to Itoshima to visit the Shiraito Waterfall and then on to Kitakyushu to visit Kokura Castle, where you can book a tea ceremony at the castle garden, makes for a great self-drive journey.
The Kokura Castle grounds are additionally a famous spot for cherry blossoms in early spring.
For a quirky dose of contemporary culture, travellers in Kitakyushu can continue to Toto Museum, a museum dedicated to the history of (drumroll please) Japanese toilets.
Savour the sun and blaze a trail
But if you’re keen to leave cars, trains and planes behind, Fukuoka also boasts plenty of experiences that you can make the most of on-foot or by bicycle. Travellers can take the kids fruit picking in the bountiful southern Chikugo area, or camp in the famed Ikenoyama campground, found inside Furusato Park.
Or if its a matter of making the most of fresh air and beautiful sights and sounds, Fukuoka is home to a few phenomenal walking courses, most notably the Oshima Course and Yame Course in Munakata, the Mount Kora Course in Kurume, and the Mount Kiyomizu Course in Miyama.
You are, to borrow the phrase, spoilt for choice in Fukuoka.
Connecting the world to a region rich in ancient culture and stunning natural beauty, Fukuoka is a crossroads between cultures, cultivating diversity and cosmopolitan citizens who extend their warm welcome to those near and far.
It’s where tradition coexists with the contemporary and urban spaces grow in harmony with nature. It’s also a destination soon to be ready to welcome travellers, with the help of travel agents.
To learn more about Fukuoka with the help of online training, click HERE.
Featured image: Kokura Castle, Kitakyushu (source: supplied)
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Bear Fruit Coto Coto Train crowd-pleasers culture donkobune food culture Fukuoka Fukuoka City gyoza Hakata japan Kyushu La Maise de la Nature Goh Mojiko Nagahama Nakasu Prefecture ramen Tenjin Tsuyoshi Fukuyama Unagi no Seiromushi Yaki curry yakitori YanagawaLatest News
Agents chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
Fancy a free spot on an Intrepid Travel trip to Antarctica with key partnerships manager Leigh Reynolds? That extraordinary opportunity is up for grabs for any agent who books an Intrepid Travel Ocean Endeavour Antarctica 2024/2025 season departure during the incentive period. The lucky winners of the ‘Earn a Free Spot to Antarctica Incentive’ will […]
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
We'd love to say we didn't see it coming...
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
Trilogy Hotels and Panthers Group have signed a milestone agreement that will see Trilogy Hotels oversee operations of the five-star Pullman Sydney Penrith. Part of a $110m investment from Panthers Group, the 153-room hotel opened in August last year and is the first five-star offering in Penrith. Trilogy Hotels is a new name in the […]
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.