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.
