Location: Fukuoka, Japan
The vibrant autumn leaves of Akizuki in Fukuoka
In this 6th visit in Japan and fourth in Fukuoka for the period November 28 - December 1, 2025, I was again on a solo trip. I left NAIA Terminal 3 on November 28 through Cebu Pacific Airline at Boarding Gate 104 at 2:10 P.M. seated at 35C at exactly 2:10 P.M and arrived at Fukuoka International Airport at 7:00 P.M.
Day 1 - November 28, 2025
An aerial view of Fukuoka while our plane is approaching it
The purpose of this trip is actually to experience autumn in Japan which I did not experience for the past five times I have been here.
Touchdown at Fukuoka International Airport
In my experience, there is always a very long queue of tourists at the Immigration checkpoint, but the turnover is so fast, as long as your documents are valid and legal.
After claiming my luggage at the arrival area
At the arrival area, I only exchanged P8,000 to 17,600 yen. Then, I purchased a Japan sim card for 5 days amounting to 3,500 yen or P1,295. I also purchased 2 Fukuoka day pass at 640 yen or total of 1,280 yen or P473.60. I also loaded my Hayakaken train card for 1,000 yen or P370 increasing my account balance to 1,070, since I had already a train card from my previous trip.
My humble accommodation at Fukuoka Guesthouse ship
Unfortunately, this time, I was not able to book early for UNPLAN Fukuoka. So, when I decided to book for it, all rooms were already fully booked. Thus, I landed with a different accommodation which is the cheapest but a small one.
This is my capsule bedding at Fukuoka Guesthouse ship
Going to Fukuoka Guesthouse Ship is such a hassle. First, I took a free shuttle bus from the airport to the Domestic Airport. Then, I took a train from Fukuoka Airport Terminal and pass thru the stations of Hakata, Gion and Nakasu-Kawabata then had a transfer train at Hakosaka Line and just one station going down at Gofukumachi Station. Then, to make sure that I am on the right direction, I exited at Exit Gate 3 which is heading to my accommodation which is quite far, since I walked for more than 8 blocks away. But I was lost because the one I asked accompanied me to Fukuoka Guesthouse Camp. I was so impressed because the one who assisted me was its staff going to the correct address.
Lost in this location
I reached my accommodation at almost 10:00 P.M. and had to buy my dinner from a Lawson convenience store 2 blocks away from my accommodation.
My additional expenses for the day were as follows:
1. Train fare from Airport Terminal to Gofukumachi station - 260 yen or P96.20
2. Board and lodging for 3 days at Fukuoka Guesthouse Ship - 600 yen or P222.00
3. Bath towel at Fukuoka Guesthouse Ship - 100 yen or P37
4. Dinner from Lawson - 561 yen or P207.57
5. Bottled water 600ml - 111 yen or P41.07
Day 2 - November 29, 2025
Lawson Convenience Store
There was no free breakfast in my accommodation. Thus, I have to buy my breakfast from the convenience store in the morning with a meal set costing 697 yen or P257.89. Since, I have long walks, also bought a 3-piece pack big bananas for 322 yen or P119.14.
The entry to Ohori Park just across UNPLAN Fukuoka
I was so tired the other day that I decided to go out from my accommodtion at 9:55 A.M. From Fukuoka Guesthouse Ship, I walked around 9 blocks heading to Gofukumachi train station which is a part of Hakozaki Line. Then, just one station, I transferred train at Nakasu-Kabawata of Airport Line heading to Ohori Park station. It was only four train stations (1) Nakasu-Kawabata, (2) Tenjin, (3) Akasaka, and (4) Ohori Park. Then, as I lifted from the train, I searched for Maizuru Park which is adjacent to Ohori Park.
The Maizuru Park
This park is rich in flowers and greenery and is centered on citadel of Fukuoka Castle, which was built by Nagamasa Kuroda, a lord of 520,000 koku in Chikuzen. Various sports facilities such as an athletic field, ball field and Fukuoka City Art Museum are also adjacent to the park.
Just a walk heading to Maizuru Park
The stunning line of Claret Ash trees in autumn form (Scientific Name: Oxycarpa)
The fiery fall tress of Ginkgo biloba at Maizuru Park
With the backdrop of a Ginkgo Biloba tree
The Ohori Park
The Nishi Park
Nishi Park is a 1.4 Kilometer walk from Ohori Park. I went to this place thinking that if offers a marvelous scenery during autumn, but I learned that this is only stunning during cherry blossom period.
While in Meinohama
While at Meinohama Station
Since I really wanted to get the value of my Fukuoka Train day pass, I decided to go the end line of Airport Line which was five train stations from Ohori Park station where others in succession were the stations of Tojinmachi, Nishijin, Fujisaki, Muromi and finally Meinohama. I strolled a the Meinohama Chuo Par and the vicinity of the train station. Then, I took the train from Meinohama going to Nakasu-Kawabata, then transferred train to Gofukumachi and then boarded till the end line of Hakosaki Line at Kaizuka which was 5 train stations away, namely: Gofukumachi, Chiyo-Kenchoguchi, Maidashi-Kyudalbyoinmae, Hakozaki-Miyamae, Hakozaki-Kyudaimae and Kaizuka. I did not bother to stroll around since it was already dark and around train fenced station. From the Kaizuka station, I boarded again the train to Gofukumachi and walked to my accommodation.
Day 3 - November 30, 2025 - Akizuki Day Tour
Leaving my accommodation at 9:09 A.M.
Since my accommodation does not provide a complimentary breakfast, I bought my breakfast from a nearby Lawson convenience store of a breakfast rolls for 365 yen or P135.05 or US2.28 and a bread roll for 181 yen or P66.97 or US$1.13.
Using the Fukuoka (Airport Line) sub-way, from Gofukumachi to Hakata Station costs 260 yen or P96.20 or US$1.63.
My JR Train ticket from Hakata to Kiyama station
While I was in Hakata, I went to JR Station booking office to buy a round trip ticket for Kiyama station thru JR Kagoshima Main Line local train Track 7 which costs 1,120 yen or P414.40 or US$7. So, one way costs only 560 yen. It took 13 stations then including Hakata and Kiyama which should last for 35 minutes travel duration.
However, I panicked when I noticed that the sequence of train stations was not in my recorded sequence, and thus, I disembarked at Tufuro-Minami thinking I was lost already. I talked to a local but I really didn't understand him, but through gestures he explained to me that I should not board on the next train because it won't stop at Kiyami station. He held my hand strongly when it passed. Then, the next train, held my hand to board the train and he was seated next to me. Unfortunately, he disembarked at Haruda station, and thru gestures, he pointed to me "2" and then "gesture of stop". Then, he held my hand to set down and not join him disembarking the train, which I understood, but still with hesitance.
By the way, the 13 stations are: (1) Hakata, (2) Takeshita, (3) Sasabaru, (4) Minami-Fukuoka, (5) Kasuga, (6) Onojo, (7) Mizuki, (8) Tofuro-Minami, (9) Futsukaichi, (10) Tempaizan, (11) Haruda, (12 Keyakidal, and (13) Kiyama.
While at Kiyama Station
Finally, I arrived at Kiyama station at 10:58 A.M. From here, I have to board the Amagi local train of only 1 car, not the usual long trains. From here, I just used an overpass to the other side, to wait for the Amagi train where it left at 11:22 A.M. There was no need for a usual ticket, I just used coins amounting to 430 yen or P159.10 or US$2.69. Obviously, stations were small and it felt like I was already in the country side and there were 10 train stations, namely: (1) Kiyama, (2) Ogori, (3) Oitai, (4) Matuzaki, (5) Imaguma, (6) Nitchicharia, (7) Yamaguma, (8) Tachiarai, (9) Takata, and (10) Amagi. I arrived there at 11:50 A.M.
Amagi is a part of Asakura City
It was on March 20, 2006, that Amagi, along with the towns of Asakura and Haki (both from Asakura District), was merged to create the city of Asakura.
The remote Amagi station
Even if I was at Amagi station at 11:50 A.M., I have to wait until 1:00 P.M. for the next bus trip going to Akizuki. With this, I searched for a store where I can buy my lunch where I found it just two blocks away at Welcia Supermarket.
My lunch for 557 yen (meal pack plus yogurt)
My meal pack is 408 yen or P151.05 or US$2.55 and a yogurt of 149 yen or P55.13 or US$0.93. I was actually looking for my favorite pork cutlet curry, there was none at the supermarket.
Just near the entrance of the road heading to Akizuki ruins
The tourist bus from Amagi to Akizuki costs 360 yen or P133.20 or US$2.25 where it uses only coins. We arrived at 1:38 P.M. Akizuki is a part of Fukuoka Prefecture and is known as "Little Kyoto".
Walking thru Sugi-no-Baba street leading to Akizuki Castle ruins
It took a 5-minute walk from the bus drop to Akizuki castle ruins. Sugi-no-Baba street has spectacular view on its cherry blossom is on its full bloom, where they call it as a 500-meter "sakura tunnel" of 200 Somei Yoshino and Yaezakura trees usually from late March to early April, while this visit of mine is November 30, which is autumn. This street is filled with food stalls where local delicacies are being sold. For instance, I bought a rice cake of 150 yen or P55.50 or US$0.94.
The stairs to the main entrance of the castle ruins
This tourist attraction has no entrance fee. Akizuki castle ruins are the remains of a 17th-century castle, known for springtime cherry blossoms and vibrant fall foliage. It is the home of the Akiizuki clan, a mighty feudal family that once ruled over much of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Approaching the temple of the castle ruins
The faithful offering prayers
I left the place at 2:50 P.M. and since I was still exploring other temples and food stalls along the way, I arrived the bus strop at 3:20 P.M.
