fukuoka in 3 days, 2 nights
Ramen, Kushida Shrine and the riverside yatai on arrival, a morning at Dazaifu and an afternoon in Ohori Park, and mentaiko shopping before the short ride to the airport.
Day 1 Hakata and the yatai
- Morning
- Fly from KL, about 6 hours; Japan is an hour ahead of Malaysia. The airport is about 15 minutes from Hakata by subway.
- Lunch
- Hakata tonkotsu ramen. Order a kaedama, a noodle refill, when you're done.
- Afternoon
- Check in, then walk to Kushida Shrine, Hakata's old guardian shrine, and on to Canal City Hakata close by.
- Evening
- Yatai by the river in Nakasu. Grab a stool early and order oden, grilled skewers or more ramen.
Day 2 Dazaifu and Ohori Park
- Morning
- Take the Nishitetsu train from Tenjin to Dazaifu, about 30–40 minutes with one change, for Dazaifu Tenmangu, the big shrine to the god of learning.
- Lunch
- Snack your way along the shrine's approach street. Umegae mochi, grilled rice cakes filled with red bean, are the famous one.
- Afternoon
- Back in the city, walk the loop round Ohori Park, then climb up to the Fukuoka Castle ruins next door.
- Evening
- Mizutaki, chicken simmered in a milky broth, or motsunabe, a hotpot of beef offal, cabbage and garlic chives.
Day 3 Mentaiko and home
- Morning
- Shop for mentaiko, spicy pollock roe, around Hakata Station, where plenty of shops sell it in gift boxes.
- Lunch
- One last bowl of ramen.
- Afternoon
- Subway to the airport and fly home.
Good to know
- Tonkotsu broth is made from pork. Look for halal or Muslim-friendly ramen shops if you need them.
- Yatai are small. Carry cash, and don't linger if people are waiting for your stool.
- An IC card such as Suica works on the subway and the Nishitetsu train to Dazaifu.