Whenever friends come to Fukuoka to visit me, they rent a car to drive to Yufuin—and the first thing they do is set the GPS to the Oita Expressway .When I see that, I usually say: “You’re missing the real treasure.” As someone who’s settled in Fukuoka, I spend my days off exploring the prefectural borders. And honestly, compared to a predictable expressway drive, National Route 210 , stretching across Fukuoka and Oita, is where Kyushu’s scenery really shines. I’ve “conquered”

I’ve been in Fukuoka on a working holiday  for a while now. Living in Japan sounds dreamy—and it is—but after enough days of working nonstop and constantly budgeting to save money, fatigue inevitably sets in. A few weeks ago, I finally managed to line up several days off. This time, I decided not to travel like a “budget backpacker,” but to treat myself a little better . The plan was simple: head to neighboring Oita Prefecture , stop by Hita  to visit the Attack on Titan  pil

For most visitors to Fukuoka, Dazaifu Tenmangu  is a daytime destination—crowded shopping streets, lines for umegae mochi , and students praying for academic success.Yet if you visit in late September, I strongly recommend experiencing Dazaifu after dark . Around the autumn equinox (September 20–25), Dazaifu hosts its most important annual ritual: the Shinko-shiki Grand Festival (Jinkōshiki Taisai) . Recognized as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Fukuoka Prefecture, the f

For your first remote-work trip to Fukuoka, most people focus on the basics: “Is the Wi-Fi fast?” and “Is the bed comfortable?” After stepping on a few landmines myself, I realized three things matter more: Can you work steadily? Can you sleep well? Can you stay comfortable on a reasonable budget?  Hostels are great for saving money, but not every hostel is remote-work friendly. Some have beautiful common areas that are simply too noisy. Some are convenient, but the nightlife

A 10-Dimension Comparison of Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka For many people, the first time working remotely in Japan begins with excitement about freedom—only to be weighed down by problems they did not anticipate.The first to collapse is often pace and focus . Time-zone meetings, the distractions of an unfamiliar city, and an unoptimized daily routine can quickly fragment deep work. Budget pressure  is another major factor: rent, transportation, and food costs are often higher t

1. Clarifying the Terminology First: Which System Covers Which Routes? For first-time visitors to Fukuoka, the most confusing part of transportation is not how  to ride, but who operates what .In practice, transportation in Fukuoka can be divided into three major systems: JR (intercity / Kyushu-wide travel) Fukuoka City Subway (urban backbone) Nishitetsu (city buses + Dazaifu direction) Once you clearly understand the role of each system, choosing the right transportation pa

Introduction: Fukuoka’s “Dual-Core” Dilemma — Choosing Between Efficiency  and Atmosphere Fukuoka is exceptionally beginner-friendly. Few major cities in the world offer such proximity between airport and downtown: from Fukuoka Airport, it takes approximately 5 minutes by subway to Hakata  and around 11 minutes to Tenjin . There is virtually no “arrival friction” after landing. The real challenge begins at the booking stage. Most first-time visitors find themselves torn betwe