MY SIXTH TIME IN JAPAN: EXPERIENCING AUTUMN IN FUKUOKA

 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.

At 2:39 P.M. I left the place and headed back to Ohori Park station.   It was another 1.4-kilometer downhill walk.  This time, I want to maximize the use of my Train day pass.

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.

MY FIFTH TIME IN JAPAN WITH A FRIEND

 LOCATION: FUKUOKA, JAPAN

Perfect morning weather at Ohori Park

This is my fifth time in Japan and first time in Fukuoka dated March 21-24, 2025.  I was lucky that my best friend, Rome Frias was with me.  The purpose of the trip is to witness Cherry Blossom, but unfortunately, by the time of this visit, the cherry blossom did not start yet.

Day 1 - March 21, 2024

Arrival at Fukuoka International Airport

Rome and I left NAIA Terminal III at 2:35 P.M. boarding Cebu Pacific Flight No. 5J 922 thru Gate No. 105 seated at 39F and arrived at Fukuoka International Airport at 7:43 P.M.  local time, since Japan's time zone is ahead of 1 hour compared to that of the Philippines.

The train fare from the airport to Ohori Park station was at 300 yen or P115.36.  I exchanged P10,000 at Fukuoka International Airport where I got 21,600 yen, since it buys at 2.16 to Philippine peso resulting to a forex loss of 4,692.28 or P1,804.33.

Arrived at UNPLAN Fukuoka for check-in

It took us almost 2 hours before we are able to arrived at our accommodation at UNPLAN Fukuoka at 9:32 P.M.  Aside from our paid booking online, we paid 200 yen or o a total of 600 yen for 3 days lodging fee or P230.72. We just bought food from the nearby Mini Stop convenience store for our dinner for 604 yen or P232.26.

My capsule accommodation at UNPLAN Fukuoka

Unfortunately, Rome's accommodation was at the 5th floor, while I was at the 3rd floor Room 3B Bed No. 6, since I booked earlier.  He was undecided at first and delayed his booking accommodation, though we were in the same flight booking.  To refresh ourselves, we took a hot shower before we sleep.

Day 2 - March 22, 2025

We woke up at around 8:00 A.M. and after taking the free breakfast at the ground floor's reception area, we started our trip for the day.

Our free breakfast

Fukuoka Castle

Fukuoka Castle is a Japanese castle located in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle.  It was completed in the early Edo Period for tozama daimyo Kuroda Nagamasa.  It has been designated as a National Historic Site of Japan in 1957.   It is an exceptional site offering a blend of historical intrigue and stunning vistas.  Its well-preserved grounds and structures provide an enriching glimpse into the past. It is free in admission.  By the way, this is the closest one compared to Ohori Park.

A perfect morning weather at Ohori Park

This time around, I was not solo, thus, I had the luxury of asking for pictures from my companion.  It was 9:41 A.M. already in this picture.

While at the foot bridge of Ohori Park

This is the advantage of having a travel buddy.  Taking picture anywhere.

NISHI PARK

We actually planned this Japan trip for the Cherry Blossom, but we arrived so early that we haven't witnessed Cherry Blossom.  Since we haven't witnessed such at Ohori Park, we had  a short walk from Ohori Park to Nishi Park, where as per my research, it is one of the best spots for cherry blossom during the spring.

Approaching Nishi Park

This is how Nishi Park looks like during cherry blossom (Nishi Park Google Search)

Nishi Park or Nishi Koen is situated on a hilly area formerly known as Aratsuyama (Mount Aratsu).  While on my search, I cannot see any data provided as to its precise peak elevation in meters.  It is just simply described as a hilly, elevated area that offers scenic, panoramic views of Fukuoka City, Hakata Bay, and Shikanoshima Island.

The torii gate to a temple in Nishi Park

There is a temple inside Nishi Park where worshippers are seen.   The road heading to the shrine of Tachikaeri Tenmangu and Terumo when cherry blossom is quite magical.  But this time, there was no cherry blossom yet. We stayed at Nishi Park until 10:40 A.M.

From Nishi Park, we walk downhill for almost a kilometer heading to Ohori Park Station boarding a train heading to Tenjin.  It is a quick 2-station ride (approximately 4-5 minutes) from Ohori Park Station, then to Akasaka Station and finally to Tenjin Station - a Subway Kuko (Airport) Line.

Roaming Around Tenjin

Tenjin is the bustling, vibrant downtown commercial district and central business hub of Fukuoka City, serving as the largest shopping, entertainment, and fashion center in Kyushu.  It is famous for its massive underground shopping mall (Tenjin Chikagai), large department stores, nightlife, and blend of modern culture with historic, scenic spots.

While at Tenjin Station subway exiting to the mall

A playing musician along the sidewalk

After a short walk, we decided to look for a place to eat.  We were actually looking for a ramen house, but it seems that what we saw were different.

The window food displays are quite inviting 

As you see, the first set meal was 1,950 yen or P732 or US$12.29 and other one is 1,650 yen or P619.50 or US$10.40.  But my friend Rome was really craving for a ramen.

We ended up in this ramen house

We ordered for chashu ramen at 1,350 yen or P507 or US$8.51.  It is a ramen with soy sauce soup topped with chashu.  This is just along the road heading to Don Quijote.  Unfortunately, there was no rice for this order.  I just order 1 cup of rice at 190 yen or P71.34 or US$1.20.

While at Don Quijote Fukuoka Tenjin Honten Store

This branch of Don Quijote is located at 1-20-17 Imaizumi Chuo-ku Fukuoka-shi Fukuoka, Japan, 810-0021 which is near Kego Jinja Mae Crossing on National Route 22 and 9 minutes walk from Tenjin Station and 6 minutes walk from Fukuoka station.  It is open for 24 hours and does not observed any holiday.

Dropping at the Kego Shrine

From Don Quijote, we had a short walk and enjoy not so many trees with cherry blossom.  It is located in  the heart of Tenjin's business district, where the shrine has a history dating back over 400 years.  Adjacent to it is the Kego Park.

Fresh flowers at Kego Park

Kego Park is an open space which is towered by buildings and malls like Parco, Solaria Plaza, Iwataya, Mitsukoshi and Daimaru.  These venues are used for high-end shopping, dining, and accessing subway lines.

 

, [Iwataya, Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Parco], and [Solaria Plaza]. These venues are used for high-end shopping, dining, and accessing subway lines