Our Family’s First Trip to Fukuoka with a One-Year-Old Baby(Part 4)

Our First Family Trip to Fukuoka with a One-Year-Old (Part 4): From Yufuin to Dazaifu

A Delicious Start to the Day at Yufuin Club
One of the most memorable moments of our Fukuoka trip was breakfast at Yufuin Club. The buffet offered a beautiful blend of traditional Japanese and Western-style dishes, all carefully prepared. The grilled mackerel stood out as a must-try local dish—it was absolutely delicious. My husband, completely taken by the flavor of the Japanese rice, ended up eating two full bowls!

Unexpected Snow and a Wintery Bus Ride
Fukuoka is known for its mild winters and lack of snow, but during our trip, we experienced a rare snowfall. As we left Yufuin Station, the entire town was blanketed in white. We were a little worried about the snowy roads on our bus ride, but thankfully, we made it safely back to Hakata Station without any trouble.

(Yufuin in snow – a magical sight. )

A Bus Journey to Dazaifu
We had really wanted to visit Dazaifu on the second leg of our trip. However, with 2.5 hours from Yufuin to Hakata and another 2 hours round trip to Dazaifu, we were concerned it might be too much for our baby. But encouraged by my husband’s enthusiasm, we decided to go for it.

My Husband’s First Taste of Japanese Udon
While waiting for the bus at Hakata Terminal, we stumbled upon an udon restaurant and decided to give it a try. It was my husband’s first time having authentic Japanese udon, and he was amazed by the soft, chewy noodles. I was also very satisfied with the warm, comforting meal.

Makino Udon – Hakata Bus Terminal
B1F, 2-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 812-0012, Japan
★★★★☆ Udon Specialty Restaurant

Meeting the God of Learning at Dazaifu
The long bus ride began to wear on our baby, but as soon as we arrived in Dazaifu, the beauty of the scenery lifted everyone’s spirits. Dazaifu is known as the home of the “God of Learning” in Japan. Despite the cold winter air, we made sure to take a family photo in front of the shrine, hoping for a little extra academic luck!

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117, Japan
★★★★☆ Shinto Shrine

Traffic Woes on the Way Back
The return to Hakata from Dazaifu took longer than expected due to heavy weekend traffic. Traveling with a tired baby on a crowded bus wasn’t easy, but we eventually arrived back at our hotel, unpacked, and decided to grab a simple dinner nearby.

A Special Izakaya Dinner
Dinner turned out to be a wonderful surprise. After passing several fully booked restaurants, we luckily found seats at a local izakaya. We enjoyed beer and a variety of Japanese side dishes—crispy chicken wings and motsunabe (offal hot pot) were especially delicious and left a lasting impression.

Tometeba Hakata Chikushiguchi Branch
Hakataekichuo, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 812-0012, Japan
★★★★☆ Izakaya

Growing Closer Through Travel
This trip to Fukuoka reminded my husband and me of the true value of traveling together. It gave us time to reconnect and understand each other more deeply. We’ve even started a small savings plan for our next adventure—something to look forward to as a family.

The Value of Family Travel
Travel always brings new experiences and unforgettable memories. But traveling with family, especially with a little one, helps us appreciate each other’s presence and creates bonds that grow stronger with each shared journey.