2 Days: Explore a Winter Wonderland
Fukuoka is, despite its southern location, a surprisingly stunning winter location. Winters are mild and sunny, making long strolls comfortable even when it’s cooler. Outside of the mountains, snow is scarce but what those areas lack in snowfall, they make up in the cozy atmosphere. Our two-day winter wonderland tour will take you to Hoshino Village, which boasts beautiful terraced rice fields and famous Yame green tea. Board a canal boat with a heater and listen to the lilting voice of your oarsman as he sings traditional melodies and recites ancient poems. Enjoy the bright pink and purple plum blossoms at Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of Fukuoka’s most famous shrines. Get on board with Rail Kitchen Chikugo, a dining experience that offers local Fukuoka specialties sourced from the villages and towns you’ll be passing by as you eat. All this and more awaits you on a trip to Fukuoka in the wintertime.
© Dazaifu Tenmangu
© Dazaifu Tenmangu
Dazaifu Tenmangu
Dedicated to the god of learning, Dazaifu Tenmangu is a magnificent shrine with vast grounds to explore. The shrine dates back over 1,100 years and is the head shrine of 12,000 Tenjin temples across Japan. Dazaifu Tenmangu’s charming traditional garden is an oasis in the center of the city, offering respite from the outside world. Time your visit right and you’ll be rewarded with 6,000 plum trees exploding into bloom, usually from late January to early March.
Tea Museum in Yame
This modern facility is the perfect place to experience locally grown Yame tea in all its forms. After dining on a tea-infused lunch at the museum’s cafe, head to the experience center to make your own matcha or roasted houjicha tea and enjoy the fruits of your labor with some traditional Japanese sweets. Private tearooms can be booked for tea ceremony experiences. Be sure to drop by the mystical bamboo forest a short walk away.
Yanagawa River Punting
Often dubbed the “Venice of Japan”, Yanagawa is famed for its hundreds of kilometers of beautiful canals. Experience their charm firsthand by taking a river-punting ride, where an experienced boat guide will gently glide you through the still waters as he sings traditional melodies and recites ancient poems. The winter season offers the exceptional experience of sitting under a Japanese kotatsu (a heated table with a blanket) as you cruise along. Private bookings are also available.
Rail Kitchen Chikugo
This unique train ride takes you on a culinary journey across Fukuoka prefecture. Enjoy a masterful multi-course meal featuring locally sourced seasonal ingredients as you take in the stunning views of the Fukuoka countryside as it passes by. Choose between brunch, lunch, and dinner courses — departure locations and meals vary — to best suit your taste and your schedule. Send your luggage separately in advance, as there is no extra baggage space onboard.