Fukuoka One-Day Itinerary: Exploring and Returning Home on the Last Day!
I stayed at a hotel near Hakata Station and started the day with breakfast. I checked out at 8 AM.
I took the Nanakuma Line to Yakuin, transferred to the Nishitetsu Express, and headed to Nishitetsu Kurume Station. I stored my suitcase in a coin locker, captured photos of Kurume manhole covers, and then took a bus to Yame City.
At 11:30 AM, I attended the first session of the afternoon tea I had reserved. However, I was surprised when they asked, "You have a second session reservation at Dazaifu. Can you make it? If not, you can cancel for free." How did they know my schedule? 🤔
Although momentarily taken aback, I replied, "I can make it," and quickly checked their official website. It turns out that the Dazaifu location is part of the same hotel group! 🤣
It felt both surprising and amusing to have my reservation shared across locations, almost like being a celebrity. The hotel had a cozy, Kyoto-style traditional house vibe, and the building was stunning with a well-maintained garden. A staff member studying Korean was there, so we communicated in a mix of Korean and Japanese, which worked well.
When I mentioned that I initially looked for the Hakodate branch but discovered Yame instead, they gifted me a pamphlet of all their branches across Japan, including Hakodate, and provided guidance for my second session at the Dazaifu branch. I had a delightful time in Yame.
While indulging in my manhole cover obsession, I kept my eyes on the ground even while on the bus. On the way back to Kurume, I noted the bus intervals and successfully timed my return. I snapped photos of manhole covers, retrieved my luggage, and caught the Nishitetsu Express within four minutes, heading to Dazaifu.
This was my third visit to Dazaifu. Instead of the usual Starbucks and Tenmangu Main Street, I explored the opposite direction, discovering a new side of Dazaifu. At 3 PM, I attended the second session of afternoon tea, marking the end of my trip. The staff greeted me with, "We're glad you made it safely from Yame." 🤣 They seemed just as amazed by the coordination.
I was given an entire annex to myself, enjoying a corner garden view with cool air conditioning while observing the scorching 36°C scenery outside. I wrapped up my final itinerary successfully and even collected the Dazaifu Pokémon manhole cover.
Anticipating traffic on the Fukuoka Expressway, I left 20 minutes earlier than planned. As expected, a 25-minute drive took 45 minutes, but I arrived safely at the airport by 6 PM for my 7:30 PM flight. Thank you!