[태그:] FukuokaWithBaby

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

    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.

  • Our Family’s First Trip to Fukuoka with a One-Year-Old Baby(Part 2)

    Our Family’s First Trip to Fukuoka with a One-Year-Old Baby(Part 2)

    A Unique Day with Our Baby

    On the second day of our Fukuoka trip, we had originally planned to hit the ground running—but an unexpected sleep-in gave us a more relaxed start to the day. Although we had hoped for an early morning, we ended up easing into the day at our own pace.

    A Special Breakfast Near Hakata Station

    Our first stop was a hearty breakfast. We headed to a popular restaurant near Hakata Station known for its gyutan (grilled beef tongue) set. Given the station’s large size, it wasn’t easy finding the place at first—but luckily, we stumbled upon it pretty quickly.

    The gyutan was salty yet tender, and the meal was surprisingly satisfying for the price. It was also the first time we used a translation app to understand the menu, which opened up a whole new world for us. We realized that these days, even without knowing the language, traveling can be much easier.

    📍 Tanya Hakata on Google Maps
    1-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 812-0012, Japan
    ★★★★☆ Japanese Restaurant

    The Joy and Fatigue of Walking


    Hakata’s city center is relatively compact, making it easy to explore on foot. After breakfast, we walked about 20 minutes, taking in the local sights. However, unfamiliar surroundings and accumulated fatigue started to take their toll.

    We eventually stopped by a nearby café for a short break. While I sipped on coffee, trying to stay awake and keep watch over the family, my husband and daughter both dozed off for a quick nap.

    (That café is now gone… but our baby napped like an angel.)

    Visiting the Anpanman Museum

    A highlight of the day was a visit to the Anpanman Children’s Museum, planned especially for our daughter. Conveniently located near Don Quijote, the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, and the original Ichiran Ramen shop, the area was perfect for exploring multiple sights.

    📍 Anpanman Museum on Google Maps
    3-1 Shimokawabatamachi, 5F-6F, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-0027, Japan
    ★★★★☆ Indoor Playground

    Though the museum was quite simple from an adult’s perspective, it offered fun play spaces ideal for children under 3. The rest of the space was mostly souvenir shops. I ran around with my daughter until I was drenched in sweat—and I even started feeling a bit under the weather. But her bright smile made all the exhaustion worth it.

    (Even adults enjoyed the Anpanman dance show!)

    Lunch at Ichiran Ramen Main Branch


    After our museum visit, we headed to the Ichiran Ramen flagship store to refuel. The wait was over 20 minutes, but it was absolutely worth it. The rich, savory broth made it one of the best bowls of ramen I’ve ever had—though my husband seemed less impressed than I expected.

    📍 Ichiran Main Branch on Google Maps
    5-3-2 Nakasu, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 810-0801, Japan
    ★★★★☆ Ramen Restaurant

    Canal City & Yatai Food Stalls


    In the evening, we explored Canal City Hakata, enjoying some window shopping. The complex’s unique architecture and variety of stores made it a fun place to stroll through. We also visited the Yatai street food stalls, which my husband had been looking forward to the most.

    However, since the stalls only open in the evening, we felt a bit concerned about cleanliness and long wait times—so we decided not to eat there in the end.

    📍 Canal City Hakata on Google Maps
    1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka 812-0018, Japan
    ★★★★☆ Shopping Mall

    Wrapping Up the Day


    On our way back to the hotel, a GPS error made the walk feel longer and more tiring than it needed to be. The day’s fatigue really hit us. We ended up having another convenience store dinner—but with Japan’s fresh and varied options, it was still a satisfying end to the day.

    Travel Tips


    * Use Hakata Station as a Hub: The area around Hakata Station is packed with restaurants and shopping spots, making it a great base for your trip. Just note that the underground and aboveground levels can be confusing, so bring a detailed map.
    * Anpanman Museum is Great for Toddlers: Especially recommended for families with children under 3, though it may feel a bit too simple for adults.
    * Make Use of Convenience Store Meals: Japanese convenience store food is fresh, varied, and affordable—perfect for quick, satisfying meals.

    The next day, we’re heading to Yufuin. With excitement for the new destination and today’s fatigue behind us, we wrapped up another memorable day of our trip.

  • Our Family’s First Trip to Fukuoka with a One-Year-Old Baby(Part 1)

    Our Family’s First Trip to Fukuoka with a One-Year-Old Baby(Part 1)

    Our First Family Trip Abroad with a Baby – Part 1: Arriving in Fukuoka

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, we got married but never had the chance to travel abroad. We always carried that sense of regret with us. As my maternity leave was coming to an end and my husband was about to use up his annual leave, we realized that if we didn’t go now, it might be postponed indefinitely. So, we decided to take the leap and plan our first overseas trip as a family.

    However, traveling with a baby who had just turned one made us a bit anxious. We wanted somewhere close with a short flight and minimal hassle—naturally, Fukuoka, Japan came to mind. Although we had visited Japan several times before, it was our first time in Fukuoka, and we were both excited and nervous. Our goal for this trip was simple: to eat well and relax without overdoing it.



    Tension from the Start

    We arrived at the airport early, having heard that international travelers were flocking back as the pandemic eased. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too crowded, but the limited number of check-in counters caused a long wait. After checking in, we stopped by the lounge for a meal and even enjoyed a drink—something I hadn’t done in a while due to parenting. Even our baby got a taste of the “new world” by trying something other than baby food for the first time.

    Then the plane was delayed, and the tension really began. Our baby, usually calm, started to get restless and fussy onboard. I was sweating bullets trying to soothe him. While the older passengers were understanding, I couldn’t ignore the sharp glances from a nearby young couple. What should’ve been a short flight felt endlessly long.


    Arriving in Fukuoka & Our First Night

    Due to the flight delay, we arrived at our accommodation late at night. Wanting a low bed for safety reasons, we had booked a small apartment-style stay. It came with a convertible sofa bed and had all the essentials at a very reasonable price—perfect in terms of value.

    Hungry, we headed to Hakata Station nearby. My husband, unfamiliar with Japan’s long restaurant queues, was surprised at the wait times. Since we were too tired and hungry to wait, we picked a random place, but the food wasn’t quite what we hoped for. So we grabbed some snacks from a convenience store and had a late-night meal back at the room.

    “Fukuoka Accommodation Recommendation: Stay Hakata near Hakata Station”

    ** Stay Hakata **
    Stay Hakata is located about a 10-minute walk from Hakata Station, making it very convenient. With shopping centers and convenience stores nearby, it’s great for family or group travel. The apartment-style layout includes a sofa bed and a fully equipped kitchen and washing machine, making it perfect for longer stays.


    The Allure of Japanese Convenience Store Food


    Japanese convenience stores felt like a whole new world. From rice balls and ready-to-eat meals to cheap alcohol, it offered a charm different from Korea. My husband, a fan of drinks, was thrilled to find liquor at half the price of back home. We ended our long day by sampling a variety of snacks and fresh foods, finally relaxing.

    And so ended our first day in Fukuoka. Though it started off rough, just spending time together as a family made it all worthwhile. What kind of new experiences await us tomorrow? Stay tuned for Part 2!