Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
June 24, 2026
Fukuoka city boasts a very convenient transportation network, including the subway, and is close to Fukuoka Airport, making it ideal for first-time visitors to Kyushu. However, if you want to venture further afield to places like the coast of Itoshima, suburban hot springs, or luxurious accommodations, a road trip is highly recommended. For example, Itoshima is located west of Fukuoka city and can be reached in about 40 minutes by car from the city center. It's an ideal area to explore by rental car, as you can enjoy both ocean and mountain scenery simultaneously. It's especially suitable for family trips or group travel. This article provides a summary of helpful information for those planning their first road trip in Fukuoka, including a comparison of rental car companies and recommended spots for a Fukuoka road trip.
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Many travelers on a road trip in Fukuoka pick up their car at Fukuoka Airport International Terminal or Hakata Station, tour Fukuoka city first, and then head to other prefectures. It's also possible to return a car rented in Fukuoka to Kumamoto, Oita, or other locations. While this incurs an additional drop-off fee, it saves time returning to Fukuoka. Below, we compare the features of major car rental companies.
| Rental car companies to choose from in Fukuoka | Features of a Fukuoka road trip | Recommended users |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Rent a Car | The vehicles are new, and there are many depots. Navigation systems with Chinese language support are available. | For those driving in Fukuoka for the first time |
| ORYX | The price is a bit high, but the service is stable. | Family trip |
| Times Car | Many branches are located in urban areas, making them suitable for short-term use. | Short-distance travel within the city |
| NISSAN | A wide variety of car models are available. | Those who want a specific car model |
| Niconico | KEP pass issuance is possible. | Long-distance and inter-prefectural travel |
The following are estimated travel times and points of interest starting from Fukuoka City. You can combine them according to your schedule and interests. Each Fukuoka driving route also includes parking information, so we recommend setting the Mapcode and preparing your navigation before you depart.
Itoshima is located on the Itoshima Peninsula in western Fukuoka Prefecture. Despite being close to the center of Fukuoka City, it is surrounded by the sea and mountains and boasts many scenic spots. It is also easily accessible, taking approximately 30-40 minutes by car or train from Fukuoka City.
Itoshima, blessed with the bounty of both the sea and the mountains, boasts an abundance of local produce and is famous for the oyster huts that open one after another in the fishing port during the autumn. We recommend starting the day by photographing the Meoto Iwa (Husband and Wife Rocks) by the sea, enjoying a meal at a restaurant or cafe overlooking the ocean at lunchtime, and then exploring the Shiraito Falls and other scenic viewpoints in the mountainous area in the afternoon. This route is perfect for couples or friends on a road trip to Fukuoka.
https://kanko-itoshima.jp/
Fukuoka's Dazaifu district boasts numerous historical sites, including Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the ruins of the Dazaifu government office, and the Mizuki Castle ruins. On the way to the shrine, you can enjoy local delicacies such as Umegae Mochi (plum blossom rice cakes), and there are plenty of sights to see just by walking around.
Also recommended is the "Onigawara Monaka," a sweet treat modeled after the demon-shaped roof tiles unearthed from the Dazaifu Government Office ruins. Dazaifu City in Fukuoka Prefecture hosts various events and festivals every year, so be sure to visit when you're on a road trip.
https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/areaguide/dazaifu-shi
Yufuin in Oita Prefecture is a highly recommended hot spring resort for those who want to include an overnight stay in their Fukuoka road trip. On the way to Yufuin from Fukuoka city via the expressway, you can enjoy the mountain scenery typical of Kyushu.
Upon arrival, we recommend exploring Yunotsubo Street, Kinrin Lake, and cafes around Mount Yufu, and spending the night at a hot spring inn. A leisurely two-day, one-night road trip is more suitable than a day trip.
Fukuoka's Yanagawa is recommended for travelers who want to enjoy the scenery of a waterside town and its traditional culture. Yanagawa was a castle town that flourished during the Edo period and is now known as a famous waterside tourist destination.
A boat trip along the canals, where you can enjoy the scenery of the former castle town while listening to the sound of flowing water, is popular with both domestic and international travelers. You can also drive from Fukuoka city to Yanagawa and continue your road trip to Omuta, Saga, or other Fukuoka tourist spots.
Fukuoka's Mojiko Port is a recommended destination for a road trip heading towards Kitakyushu. You can enjoy retro architecture, harbor scenery, the Mojiko Retro district, and the views of the Kanmon Strait.
Mojiko Port is located in Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and is the northernmost port in Kyushu. Opened in 1889, Mojiko Port flourished as one of Japan's three major ports from the Meiji to Taisho periods, and many brick and wooden buildings that blend Japanese and Western architecture remain.
Mojiko Day Trip Guide:https://zh-tw.resort-glamping.com/article/mojiko/
| Fukuoka road trip route | Travel time from Fukuoka City | Photogenic spots and points of interest |
|---|---|---|
| Dazaifu Tenmanguugu | Approx.25 minutes | Prayers for academic success, Umegae mochi (rice cakes with plum blossoms) |
| Fukuoka/Itoshima | Approx.40 minutes | The Meoto Iwa (Husband and Wife Rocks) and the Underwater Torii Gate at Futamigaura |
| Fukuoka, Yanagawa | Approx.50 minutes | River rafting, eel dishes |
| Yufuin (Oita) | Approx. 2 hour | Hot springs, Yunotsubo Street |
| Fukuoka/Moji Port | Approx. 1 hour | Retro architecture, Kanmon Strait |
This luxurious accommodation offers a unique camping experience in an aerial tent. For dinner, you can choose from a specially selected Japanese Black Wagyu BBQ course or a lean meat course made with grass-fed beef, and you can also enjoy a handmade pizza-making experience in Itoshima, Fukuoka.
During breaks, you can enjoy the beautiful blue ocean stretching out beyond the sparkling windows, while gazing at a view where the sea and sky seem to merge.
This accommodation is located on a hill in Yoshii Hyakunen Park, overlooking the city of Ukiha in Fukuoka Prefecture and offering a magnificent panoramic view. Ukiha City is also known as a "fruit kingdom," where fruits can be harvested throughout the year.
You can choose from three different types of glamping tents and enjoy ingredients unique to Fukuoka and Ukiha City. Dishes include fragrant grilled smoked pork ribs, hearty thick-cut pork steaks, and shabu-shabu. After dinner, you can relax in the sauna space within the park.
Located in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, this glamping facility boasts ocean views. It features 10 dome tents, some of which include private pools, private saunas, and ocean-view bathrooms. Dog-friendly rooms are also available.
For dinner, a BBQ is served using ingredients delivered directly from Karato Market, and you can also bring your own ingredients to enjoy your own original BBQ. With an all-weather dining area, it's convenient for families with children, female travelers, and those experiencing glamping for the first time.
For your first road trip to Fukuoka, Itoshima is highly recommended. It's only about a 40-minute drive from Fukuoka city center and offers ocean views, cafes, the Meotoiwa (Husband and Wife Rocks), natural spots, and luxurious accommodations. It's perfect for a day trip to Fukuoka, as well as a 2-day/1-night getaway.
If you want to explore Itoshima while enjoying the ocean views, Itoshima Glamping SDGs Village - Chikyu MIRAI - is recommended. If you want to enjoy a resort atmosphere amidst the rural scenery and nature of Ukiha, MARUTERRA is recommended.
A: You will need your original Hong Kong driver's license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). For renting a standard passenger car, you can use category B, but for vehicles that can carry 10 or more people, category D is required. An IDP can be obtained by applying online through the Transport Department and will be available in approximately 10 business days.
If you're visiting Fukuoka for the first time, it's recommended to stay in the city center first to enjoy Hakata and Tenjin, and then rent a car to head to Itoshima or Ukiha. If you want to enjoy ocean views and a BBQ, choose Itoshima Glamping SDGs Village - Chikyu MIRAI -. If you want to enjoy a relaxing resort stay surrounded by nature, MARUTERRA is recommended.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
