Exploring Itoshima : Fukuoka’s Hidden Coastal Gem

So, this is the continuation of my Fukuoka travel stories — part 2 of 3 in the series.
Here’s a look at the part 1, Fukuoka city leg of the trip:
Exploring Fukuoka : A Perfect Blend of City Life and Tranquility

On our fourth day in Fukuoka, we decided to step outside the city and explore its outskirts. That’s when we discovered a charming coastal spot called Itoshima. What really caught our attention was the iconic white torii gate we have seen in social media posts. Alright then, Itoshima, here we come!

_{The iconic white Torii gate in Itoshima.}

Hakata Bus Terminal

To get to the white Torii gate at Sakurai Futamigaura in Itoshima, we will be taking a bus from Hakata Bus Terminal. When we searched online, it seemed there aren’t many restaurant options in the area, so we decided to have lunch first at Hakata Station. Yakiniku looked like the best option near the station, and we ended up very full before heading to Itoshima.

_{You can’t go wrong with yakiniku right?😋}

We rode the bus on the West Coast Liner route and will alight at Futamigaura Bus Stop. The travel time is around 70 minutes, depending on traffic.

Itoshima

After about an hour on the bus, we arrived in Itoshima and immediately spotted the white Torii gate. It was majestic, even from afar. The place has such a relaxed and laid-back vibe. I loved it so much! It felt like I wasn’t in Japan at all, but somewhere in the Caribbean or Hawaii. The weather that day was pleasant, a mix of sun and clouds, with a cool breeze. I was really happy soaking in the atmosphere. It instantly feels like the perfect escape, relaxing and stress free.
_{This is where we got off the bus.}

_{The vibes that welcomed us.😍}

_{Happy soul! 😅 Even though I covered my face for anonymity, I swear I was really happy at that moment lol.}

_{My friend is a great photographer, capturing all these happy candid moments.}

It was also great that there weren’t many people around, so we were able to take solo pictures at the Torii gate. Otherwise, my friend would have definitely said we skip them as he’s impatient and doesn’t like taking pictures of himself, unlike me 😆😆😆. So pardon all the pics of me posing like there’s no tomorrow 😆.

_{Official proof that I was in Itoshima.}

_We-fie!

_{The white Torii gate is unique compared to the traditional red gates in Japan.}

_{They call this "Married Couple Rocks"}

_{The surrounding areas are super Instagrammable, so of course I had to take some solo shots lol.}

_{Perfect weather!}

After taking a lot of pictures, even though we were still full from the sumptuous yakiniku lunch, we spotted a café just across the scenic shoreline from the Torii gate. There was a queue, but the café looked so rustic and inviting that we couldn’t resist checking the menu. Of course, we had to try it. We thought it was the perfect idea to enjoy some desserts while soaking in the vibes of the area.

_{The name of this café is Itoshima Sabo.}

_{Waiting area before being seated.}

_{I love the interiors.}

_{You can choose to eat inside or outside the café.}

_{This strawberry tiramisu pancake looked so enticing, I just had to order it.😍}

_{Amaou milk drink, made from Fukuoka’s famous Amaou strawberries.}

_{Just chillin' like a villain!😎}

_{Cheers to relaxing vacations like this!}

_{Ummmm… not so cheerful anymore after seeing the bill though.😱}

After that sweet break, we explored more of the area, walked along the shoreline, and discovered a cute little store selling charming items and souvenirs. I had to resist the temptation to buy anything since I was already out of budget 😬
_{This store has a great view of the Torii gate and the Married Couple Rocks.}

_{I’m wondering if this is a café too but I didn’t see any food or drinks being sold hmmm.}

_{Instead they are selling these cute stuffs.}

_{Across the street is actually where that store is. It's not that obvious though.}

_{The sun is out but thankful for the cool breeze.}

_{There’s actually only one restaurant there, and we thought it might be hard to get a seat since it was the only one we saw.}

_{I just had to take a picture of this as it reminded me of a famous Filipino actor. Can you guess who I’m thinking of? 😜}

After spending 2-3 hours in the Futamigaura area, we headed to another spot we found online called Zauo Honten. The bus stops there as well, about 15 minutes from Futamigaura Bus Stop. It’s a large seafood restaurant with plenty of Instagrammable spots to entice customers, and of course, we had to check it out! Pardon me, but I really took a picture of every spot there lol.😁
_{Stairway to heaven?}

_Shipwreck

_{Cute little kittens meow meow meow!}

_{Model sa swing 😆}

_{My friend's swing version. Who did it better? LOL!}

_{Just having fun!}

_{The coconut trees added to the legit beach vibes!}

_{I skipped the slide though.😅}

_{Oh no! I’m getting eaten by the shark, help! (OA ra!😆)}

_{Not sure what this gate is referencing… Goblin Gate, maybe?}

Conclusion

It was definitely one of the highlights of our Fukuoka trip.❤️ I had so much fun that day. I’m usually more of a mountain person than a beach person, but I was genuinely happy because of the vibes and the relaxing atmosphere. The combination of the white Torii gate, the Married Couple Rocks, the charming cafés, the relaxing beach vibes, and the pleasant weather made it a perfect escape from the city. The area is also full of Instagrammable spots, delicious food, and scenic views that make wandering around so enjoyable. I definitely recommend going to Itoshima on a day trip if you have extra time in Fukuoka. You won’t regret it. 😉 It’s perfect for both solo adventures and trips with friends.

_{* All content is mine unless otherwise noted. All photos taken with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.}