Fukuoka Day 1 of 90 Adventure
Rainy Day Adventures in Fukuoka!
March 3rd—our first day in Fukuoka, and what an adventure it was! We arrived at the airport around 8:30 am to a chilly, rainy welcome. Decided to take a taxi straight to JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom, but it was too early to check in. So, off we went to Hakata Station to pick up our JR Pass. Of course, we ended up waiting at the wrong counter—rookie mistake! Turns out, since we purchased our pass online, we should’ve gone straight to the pickup counter. But hey, at least booking online saved us 1,000 yen each. Live and learn!
Our original plan was to explore Yanagibashi Rengo Market, also known as “Hakata’s Kitchen,” a well-known spot for fresh seafood and local specialties. However, the rain and wind had other ideas. Coming from Thailand, we needed time to adjust to the feels-like-zero-degree weather. So, we made a detour and found sushi at the basement of Hakata Station instead. Two sushi platters for 8,000 yen—and worth every bite! Happy and satisfied, we finally checked into our hotel for a quick rest.
Later, we took the Airport Line to the bustling Tenjin area to experience the famous food stalls (屋台 - Yatai). Before heading out to eat, we spent time wandering through the beautiful underground shopping arcade at Tenjin Station—a seemingly endless maze of stylish boutiques, cozy cafés, and tempting bakeries. The warm lights and lively atmosphere made it a perfect escape from the rain, and we couldn’t resist stopping for a coffee and a sweet treat along the way.
As the rain picked up, we found ourselves at Shin Shin for some Tonkotsu ramen. Luck was on our side—we got seats right away, but by the time we left, a long line had formed. The ramen was everything we needed on a cold, rainy night—rich, creamy pork bone broth with perfectly chewy noodles, topped with tender slices of chashu pork, green onions, and wood ear mushrooms. The depth of flavor was incredible—savory, slightly sweet, and wonderfully umami. And of course, adding pickled red ginger gave it an extra kick that brought all the flavors together.
A little rain couldn’t dampen our spirits—Fukuoka welcomed us with delicious food, hidden gems, and fun mishaps. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
