One Day Itinerary in Itoshima Peninsula with Insta-worthy Nature and Cafes, Only 40-minute Train Ride from Downtown Fukuoka

Located in the northwestern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, “Itoshima Peninsula” (糸島半島) is a resort area that’s surrounded by the Genkai Sea known as THE ocean producing delicious fish. The peninsula has many scenic spots in the north and west where the coastline continues while the southern part is mountainous and is a popular place for casual climbing and hiking. The area can be easily accessed in around 40 minutes from Hakata Station without transfers, making it an ideal destination for a one-day getaway. In this issue, let’s suggest you one day trip during which you’ll visit Insta-worthy spots that are perfect with your partner or friends.

The origins of the one day trip are Kyudai Gakkentoshi Station and Chikuzen Maehara Station on JR Chikuhi Line that Airport Line of Fukuoka City Subway directly operated

[Distination 1]A green tunnel in “Tororo Forest” leading to the world of Ghibli movies

At ‘Keya no Oto Park’ (芥屋の大門公園), where you can see the national natural monument ‘Keya no Oto’ (芥屋の大門) that was eroded by the rough waves of the Genkai Sea, there are many attractions such as the popular torii gate known as a spiritual spot and the magnificent sea struck by powerful waves. Above all, the promenade taking you to the observatory, also known as “Totoro Forest”(トトロの森). The bushes are richly grown, creating a natural tunnel-ish landscape. As it’s called suggests, it would remind you of a scene from the Ghibli movie ‘My Neighbor Totoro’. Once you step in, you’ll feel like Mei-chan, one of the main characters in the movie playing with Totoro. By the way, if you walk through this tunnel, you can enjoy the overwhelmed view of the Genkai Sea from the observatory. Also, it is recommended to climb up to Mt. Tateishi, which is just south of the area, for enjoying the spectacular view of Itoshima area.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	Shimakeya, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 26-minute bus ride from Chikuizen Maehara Station to Keya Kobaiten Bus stop and an 8-minute walk from Keya Kobaiten Bus stop

[Distination 2]Look for the red double-decker, “London Bus Cafe” where you get to enjoy hot dogs with plenty of onions and pickles, and gelato made with freshly squeezed milk

“London Bus Cafe” (ロンドンバスカフェ) is a cafe in a renovated London bus manufactured in 1950 that was literally in service in England. The red double-decker standing against the sea in cobalt blue is a landmark, so that you should be able to find It easily. Though an eating area is installed, try dining hotdogs at the open-air terrace where the sea spreads out in front of you. The recommended menu item is the ‘Bus Box set’, a set meal of a hotdog with chopped onions and pickles, potato chips and your choice of dring. A cute London bus-shaped container will make you even more excited. Don’t forget to have the gelato for dessert sent directly from a ranch in Sasebo. Additive-free and non-colored gelato based on freshly squeezed milk is rich but has a refreshing after taste.

Opening Hours	11:00AM – Sunset *Closed Irregularly
Address	2289-6 Shimanokita, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	An 18-minute bus ride from Chikuzen Maehara Station to Nokita Bus stop and an 11-minute walk from Nokita Bus stop
URL	<Tabelog>https://tabelog.com/en/fukuoka/A4009/A400901/40038556/ <Instagram>https://www.instagram.com/itoshima_london_bus_cafe/ <Facebook>https://www.facebook.com/itoshima.londonbuscafe/

[Distination 3]Thrilling ride or cute photo? Enjoy several kinds of swings at “Palm Tree Swing”

“Palm Tree Swing” (ヤシの木ブランコ), installed in front of “Katsugyo Chaya Zauo Honten” (活魚茶屋ざうお本店) are totally free since they simply want their customers to enjoy in the first place. A beam is passed between palm trees about 6meters high, and a swing with a rope and a pedestal attached is installed there. There are various swings, such as bassinet one, hammock one, and heart-shaped one. Choose your swing according to the photo you wish to take. If you row the swing powerfully, you will get to feel the exhilaration of flying toward the horizon that you can foresee in the distance. In addition to the swings, there are also a Jaws motif object with its big mouth opened and ‘miracle driftwood’ (奇跡の流木) that was washed ashore by the heavy rains.

Address	Katsugyo Chaya Zauo Honten, 79-6 Oaza Oda, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 20-minute bus ride from Kyudai Gakkentoshi Station to Zauo Honten Mae Bus stop
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/fukuoka/A4001/A400203/40001036/

[Distination 4] “#Jihangun” where a huge group of objects transformed the parking lot into an art spot like an outdoor museum

Lately, “#Jihangun” (#ジハングン) has been in talk among young people as a new Insta-worthy spot. It originally was a just parking lot, but a huge group of objects was set up and the place came to be a photo spot where you can take artistic photos in 2018. The name of the place “Jihangun” was after ‘Jihanki no Gunshu’ (herd of vending machines in Japanese). There are three pop objects with the theme of vending machines, and it is popular to take photos inside the frame. If you walk toward the Kitazaki coast on the west side, you will find a huge yellow swing, an arch made of driftwood, and a huge board shaped as a woman’s profile cut. It’s just like an outdoor museum. The interesting point about the place is that you can take photos with different atmospheres depending on the weather of the day against the background of the highly clear sea.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	644-1 Nishiura, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 27-minute bus ride from Kyudai Gakkentoshi Station to Nishinoura Bus stop and a 4-minute walk from Nishinoura Bus stop

[Distination 5] Setting sun between two rocks creates a magnificent view at “Sakurai Futamigaura”

‘Sakurai Shrine’, a cultural property designated by Fukuoka Prefecture, is famous as a god of marriage and “Sakurai Futamigaura” (桜井二見ヶ浦) has been a sacred place in the shrine’s premise from ancient times. About 150m offshore, ‘Meotoiwa’ (夫婦岩, a couple of sacred rocks) is enshrined and that creates a majestic and mysterious landscape with a large white torii gate with a height of about 8m that rises above the Genkai Sea. ‘Meotoiwa’, which is lined up side by side, has a height of 11.8 meters for the male rock on the right and 11.2 meters for the female rock on the left. The diaper rope connecting the two is 30 meters long, 50 centimeters in diameter, and weighs about 1 ton. “Sakurai Futamigaura” is also very famous as a place where you can see beautiful sunsets throughout the year. Every summer solstice, a romantic view of the sun setting in between the two rocks of ‘Meotoiwa’ can be seen. Enjoy the spectacular scenery that has been selected as one of the ‘100 Best Beaches in Japan’ (日本の渚百選) and ‘100 Best Sunsets in Japan’ (日本の夕焼け100選).

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	Shima Sakurai, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 30-minute bus ride from Kyudai Gakkentoshi Station to Futamigaura Bus stop
URL	https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1769308-d1423877-Reviews-Sakurai_Futamigaura-Itoshima_Fukuoka_Prefecture_Kyushu.html

[Distination 6]Have some cozy time at terrace seats while gazing at the sea dyed in the colors of the sun setting at “Bistro & Cafe TIME”, a trailer house cafe on the beach

After enjoying a leisurely stroll, head to “Bistro & Cafe TIME” for dessert. Located near the popular surf spot, Oguchi Beach, this cafe-restaurant has an impressive tropical trailer house. It can be used widely from morning to dinner, but the recommended time is when the sunset begins to set. Why don’t you heal yourself in the picturesque evening view on the open terrace where the sea spreads out in front of you and there is nothing to block your view? Spend a relaxing time taking pictures of the sunset and looking back at the photos of the trip while chewing on the tiramisu, which has a nice texture and a bittersweet sponge.

Opening Hours	Morning  8:30AM – 10:30AM / Lunch 11:00AM – 3:00PM / Cafe Time 3:00PM – 5:00PM / Dinner 6:00PM – 9:00PM *Closed Irregularly
Address	4423-7 Shima Sakurai Aza Oguchi, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access	A 33-minute bus ride from Kyudai Gakkentoshi Station to Tsumandegoran Bus stop and a 9-minute walk from Tsumandegoran Bus stop
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/fukuoka/A4009/A400901/40038082/