LEXICAL CROWN: FASCINATED BY FUKUOKA FOR MY FIRST VISIT

Thursday, December 11, 2025

FASCINATED BY FUKUOKA FOR MY FIRST VISIT

Nanzoin Temple: The world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statue

This is a part of my third visit to Japan dated July 24 - 30, 2023. I spent July 24 to the early morning of July 26 in my Mount Fuji Climb and related activities, the whole day of July 26 was my Hiroshima Day Tour and the eve of July 26 until July 30 was my Fukuoka trip.

UNPLAN FUKUOKA: OUR ACCOMMODATION

Note: Pictures courtesy of Unplan Fukuoka website

Unplan Fukuoka Accommodation

It was already 10:10 P.M. when Beng Sia, my travel buddy, and I arrived in our Unplan Fukuoka accommodation on the eve of July 26. Unplan Fukuoka offers a reasonable price for such a comfortable and convenient stay while in Fukuoka where our 3-day stay only costs P12,089 or US$204.95 good for two persons since it was a double room. I booked it in peso currency so I do not have a Japanese Yen amount here. So, my share is only is P6,044.50 or US102.48.

It is convenient since from subway Hakata Station, it is five train stations away. So, from Hakata, Gion, Nakasu-Kawabata, Tenjin, Akasaka and Ohori Park. From Ohori Park train station, exit at Gate 4 and use stairs going up, and from the ground, it is only a block away. At 12-minute subway train ride costing 260 Yen or US$1.67 or P98.71. Then, the good thing is, from Ohori Park to Fukuoka International Airport is only 8 train stations away: Ohori Park, Akasaka, Tenjin, Nakasu-Kawabata, Gion, Hakata, Higasi-hie and Fukuoka Airport for 260 Yen cost also at the Kuko or Airport Line.

Our room accommodation

A cheaper option: The Capsule accommodation at P7,660 or US$129.90 for 3 days

Had I been alone in my trip, I could have booked this mixed room capsule accommodation. This was supposedly the rate when I was booking for accommodation in Philippine peso.

The interior of this capsule accommodation

There is enough space inside the capsule accommodation. It has a locker for very small valuables. It has its own electric lamp and electric socket for charging gadgets and in fact, I can work inside with my laptop. It is very private since you can close the curtain. It also has hangers for a few of your clothes.

Ground floor lobby

The ground floor lobby is not only used for registration but during the morning, this serves as the dining for free breakfast. Yes, during our check-in, we paid additional 200 yen per day for lodging fee or US$1.29 or P75.90. By the way, this is a 5-storey building. Accommodations from from 2nd to 5th floor.

Shared bath room (separate for male and female)

Comfort rooms and bath rooms are shared. But I never experienced to have traffic or waiting for my turn. Bath rooms are provided with body wash, shampoo and hair drier.

The spacious and comfortable Guests' Lounge

At the 5th floor is the spacious guests' lounge where guests can cook food, wash, dry and iron clothes. Coins are used for the washing and drier machines. A cost of 400 Yen or US$ 2.58 or P151can be enough for laundry. There are two big freezers and refrigerators for storing food. Nobody will touch your food. Plates, mugs, glasses and cutleries are available for use, but you have to wash it. Even cooking utensils are also available. The whole building offers very fast wi-fi connection. Another good thing here, if you arrived very early since you have to check-in at 4:00 P.M., you can stay at this lounge. Drinking water is available.

The washing and drier machines

Since, the check-out is at 11:00 A.M., and my flight is at 10:00 P.M., I stay at the guests' lounge to wash, dry and iron my clothes and continue to stay there to work in my laptop. Or if you want to leave and check-out at 11AM, you can leave your luggage at the reception's desk while you intend to have shopping and pick up these luggage when you are already heading at the airport at 8P.M. or beyond.

Kitakyushu City

It was the Kokura Castle is the reason why we visited Kitakyushu City. This city is still a part of Fukuoka Prefecture. Kokura is a historic castle town, now a central district (Kokura Kita-ku). It is located on the northern tip of the island of Kyushu, strategically positioned at the Kanmon Straits connecting to Honshu. It's famous for its rebuilt Kokura Castle.

Arriving at the Kokura Train Station

How to go to Kokura Castle from Ohori Park Station:

Step 1

Take the subway train from Ohori Park boarding from Platform 1(departure) heading to Hakata Main station for 5 stops (Akasaka, Tenjin, Nakasu-Kawabata, Gion and Hakata) for 10 minutes at a distance of 4.4 kilometers costing 260 Yen or US$1.68 or P98.80.

Step 2

While at Hakata Main Station, look for the Shinkansen ticketing office. Be sure to secure your rail pass to your identified destination. There will be 6 stops for 67.2 Kilometers for 60 minutes. For Departure, use Platform 2 and for Arrival use Platform 7

Impressed of this bike parking facility

We were lost in locating the direction heading to Kokura Castle. From the Kokura train station to the castle is a 15-minute walk of a distance of 1.1 kilometers.

Location Map of the Kokura Station and Kokura Castle

Step 3

From the Kokura Station, three blocks heading to the SAINTcity Shopping Mall. Then, turn right ang walk five blocks away, where you will pass thru the Ichiran Kokura - a specific branch of the famous Japanese ramen chain Ichiran, known for its customizable, rich pork-bone (tonkotsu) ramen, served in a unique solo dining style with individual "flavor concentration booths," perfect for focusing on the food.

Step 4

Cross the picturesque Murasaki River through Naka no Hashi (Taiyo no Hashi) Bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn right heading to Kokura Castle Garden, then walk further and locate the gate of Kokura Castle.

Crossing the Naka no Hashi Bridge with the backdrop of Izutsuya Kokura (brown building)

Still at the Naka no Hashi Bridge

Another angle shot of Naka no Hashi Bridge

Still at the picturesque Naka no Hashi Bridge

Kokura Castle Garden

The museum adjacent to Kokura Castle Garden

Kokura Castle Garden is the first attraction the guests will see and it has a separate entrance. It also has a museum. I bought a combo ticket both for Kokura Castle Garden and the Castle for 700 Yen. For the Kokura Castle Garden only costs 300 Yen and for the castle only, it is 350 Yen.