Our First Afternoon in Fukuoka

Immigration

While walking towards immigration after landing, I happened to see the Visit Japan Web kiosks. I went straight over and completed the process without having to search for them.

Remember to register online for Visit Japan Web before your trip. There is no mobile app.

The kiosk process is:

1. Scan your QR code.
2. Place your passport on the scanner as shown.
3. Put both index fingers in the indicated positions.
4. Look at the camera.

The screen then tells you which route to follow, although all the routes eventually join the same queue.

Remember to remove your mask. Otherwise, you will have to keep taking it off and putting it back on. Wait until you have passed through the gate before wearing it again.

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Fukuoka Airport

This was the view as soon as we entered the airport arrivals area after clearing immigration.

We turned left and immediately saw this samurai display. A lot of people stopped to take photos with it.

There is a smoking room on the third-floor departures level. Sitting there with a cigarette while watching the evening light felt especially relaxing.

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Getting to Hakata Station

We went downstairs and asked the information centre how to take the subway to Hakata Station.

The staff showed me this map.

Turn right from the information centre and you will see exits A and B.

Continue along the right-hand side and you will soon find the free shuttle bus to the subway station.

After getting off the bus, look towards the front-right side of the bus to find the subway entrance. Follow the flow of people downstairs.

Hakata Station is only a few stops away.

Follow the signs towards the exit.

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Checking In at the Hotel

We were staying at Smile Hotel Hakata Ekimae.

You can find the hotel on Google Maps:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jyqV7d6XB4NbEAf6A

Read the Smile Hotel Hakata Ekimae stay review

We then looked for the lift at Exit 15.

The lift is easy to miss. It is beside the location shown above, so do not continue walking forward. Look towards the arrow to find it.

Once outside, follow the road towards the hotel.

It only takes a few minutes to walk there.

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Nakasu Yatai

After checking in, we headed to the Nakasu yatai food-stall street.

There are not many places in Japan with this kind of atmosphere.

We walked through Canal City Hakata on the way.

If you are lucky, you may catch the musical fountain show.

Cross this small bridge and follow the crowd to reach the food stalls.

After passing several stalls, we chose this one for dinner.

The stalls feel a little like Hong Kong’s dai pai dongs.

The process is slightly different. Someone first invites customers to the stall. If you decide to eat there, they ask you to join the queue and take your order while you wait. After around 15 to 30 minutes, once someone finishes eating, the staff quickly clean the counter and seat the next customers.

I ordered this bowl of ramen.

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Late-Night Izakaya

After dinner, we returned to the hotel for a short break before visiting a nearby izakaya.

Smoking is allowed inside this restaurant.

Many of the customers were locals.

There was also another woman travelling alone and having a drink, but I was too shy to start a conversation.

We finished the night with some food and drinks.

It was the perfect end to our first day.