Where to stay in Northern Kyushu/ Fukuoka Kitakyushu
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
Where to stay in Northern Kyushu/ Fukuoka Kitakyushu
I will be arriving to FUK at 10am and leaving next day at 12PM.
Have dinner reservation at Kitakyushu (tobata) which is about an hour away.
Is there anything to see around here?
I am not sure whether to stay in this northern area or is it better to stay near fukuoka/hakata area?
This is my first time in Fukuoka/kyushu. Maybe a little sightseeing and mostly interested in trying different foods.
Have dinner reservation at Kitakyushu (tobata) which is about an hour away.
Is there anything to see around here?
I am not sure whether to stay in this northern area or is it better to stay near fukuoka/hakata area?
This is my first time in Fukuoka/kyushu. Maybe a little sightseeing and mostly interested in trying different foods.
#2
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
I will be arriving to FUK at 10am and leaving next day at 12PM.
Have dinner reservation at Kitakyushu (tobata) which is about an hour away.
Is there anything to see around here?
I am not sure whether to stay in this northern area or is it better to stay near fukuoka/hakata area?
This is my first time in Fukuoka/kyushu. Maybe a little sightseeing and mostly interested in trying different foods.
Have dinner reservation at Kitakyushu (tobata) which is about an hour away.
Is there anything to see around here?
I am not sure whether to stay in this northern area or is it better to stay near fukuoka/hakata area?
This is my first time in Fukuoka/kyushu. Maybe a little sightseeing and mostly interested in trying different foods.
you get better western style hotels at fukuoka (Hilton and a GH off my head)... or if you dont mind japanese business hotels, there is a toyoko inn 5 minute walk from kokura station where the shinkansen stops or a few others v close to the station. Theres probably a few places you can go for the few hours you're in fukuoka...
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
Thank you! Dinner is at 7pm so should be heading back by 9:30pm. Shinkansen sounds like something I would like to try.
i just did what you did last week in a tighter timeframe. but unless your dinner last past 2300, I would recommend staying at fukuoka and take a train over (you have a choice between a 1200 yen local train, 1800 yen non reserved limited express train, or a 2400 yen shinkansen w a local train transfer at kokura).
you get better western style hotels at fukuoka (Hilton and a GH off my head)... or if you dont mind japanese business hotels, there is a toyoko inn 5 minute walk from kokura station where the shinkansen stops or a few others v close to the station. Theres probably a few places you can go for the few hours you're in fukuoka...
you get better western style hotels at fukuoka (Hilton and a GH off my head)... or if you dont mind japanese business hotels, there is a toyoko inn 5 minute walk from kokura station where the shinkansen stops or a few others v close to the station. Theres probably a few places you can go for the few hours you're in fukuoka...
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: Free agent!
Posts: 1,427
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
OMG that looks awesome. I'll make sure to add to my list! Thank you!!
I've always wanted to visit Kitakyushu solely for the Toto Museum (as in the toilet manufacturer).
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Tons of hotels within 10 minutes walk of Hakata Station. Toyoko Inn would be the last resort even for that budget category, if you book ahead. Quite a few business hotels around Kokura station as well.
But if it's a Fri/Sat night, Fukuoka can be totally booked out, only then would I stay in Kokura.
>> mostly interested in trying different foods.
The Hakata Station complex have over 100 restaurants and cafes, from very upscale (top floors of the station complex) to very local (basement), such as stand-up izakaya.
Restaurant & cafe | JR HAKATA CITY / AMU PLAZA HAKATA official site
But if it's a Fri/Sat night, Fukuoka can be totally booked out, only then would I stay in Kokura.
>> mostly interested in trying different foods.
The Hakata Station complex have over 100 restaurants and cafes, from very upscale (top floors of the station complex) to very local (basement), such as stand-up izakaya.
Restaurant & cafe | JR HAKATA CITY / AMU PLAZA HAKATA official site
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
Thank you for the valuable link! I will be staying Monday-Tuesday in early Sept, so I'm pretty much set to stay near Hakata station and take the shinkansen to get dinner.
Tons of hotels within 10 minutes walk of Hakata Station. Toyoko Inn would be the last resort even for that budget category, if you book ahead. Quite a few business hotels around Kokura station as well.
But if it's a Fri/Sat night, Fukuoka can be totally booked out, only then would I stay in Kokura.
>> mostly interested in trying different foods.
The Hakata Station complex have over 100 restaurants and cafes, from very upscale (top floors of the station complex) to very local (basement), such as stand-up izakaya.
Restaurant & cafe JR HAKATA CITY / AMU PLAZA HAKATA official site
But if it's a Fri/Sat night, Fukuoka can be totally booked out, only then would I stay in Kokura.
>> mostly interested in trying different foods.
The Hakata Station complex have over 100 restaurants and cafes, from very upscale (top floors of the station complex) to very local (basement), such as stand-up izakaya.
Restaurant & cafe JR HAKATA CITY / AMU PLAZA HAKATA official site
#8
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
add: it's probably a good idea if you want to try - otherwise limited express might be a but more convinient. actually if i were you i would just take whatever come up first... that would probably mean local train to kokura then SKS. I forgot about them last week but if you can handle a ticket shop you would get some small discount. or if you have time to go to a reservation desk, you can pay by credit card.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Kyushu
Programs: NH
Posts: 44
In Tobata you have a nice art museum, you can get the map at the station.
If you come to Kokura (8 min normal train), there is a castle that is pretty nice, but only open until 17.30 if i recall correctly.
But i would honestly go to Fukuoka and enjoy there, there is soo much more to do. (Shinkansen is only 16min)
Tomorrow morning you can try to have the early visit to Dazaifu (Old small regional capital with temples,..)
Sleeping is generally cheaper in Kokura.
One of the cheaper business hotels in front of the station (shinkansen exit) are Yutaka hotel and Yanagi hotel.
If you come to Kokura (8 min normal train), there is a castle that is pretty nice, but only open until 17.30 if i recall correctly.
But i would honestly go to Fukuoka and enjoy there, there is soo much more to do. (Shinkansen is only 16min)
Tomorrow morning you can try to have the early visit to Dazaifu (Old small regional capital with temples,..)
Sleeping is generally cheaper in Kokura.
One of the cheaper business hotels in front of the station (shinkansen exit) are Yutaka hotel and Yanagi hotel.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DXB / KUO
Programs: AY, SQ, EK
Posts: 858
Have been a few times to Kitakyushu for work. Stayed at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura right next to the station.
Nothing special as such, but obviously the location is convenient. Can't remember anything overly positive or negative.
Haven't had too much free time in Kitakyushu but managed to ride on the monorail once. The Toto Museum does sound intriguing!
Nothing special as such, but obviously the location is convenient. Can't remember anything overly positive or negative.
Haven't had too much free time in Kitakyushu but managed to ride on the monorail once. The Toto Museum does sound intriguing!
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
Never rode on shinkansen so this would be a good opportunity.
If I were to take tokaido-sanyo shinkansen and transfer to JR kagoshima line to tobata, is it a free transfer or a separate ticket?
If I were to take tokaido-sanyo shinkansen and transfer to JR kagoshima line to tobata, is it a free transfer or a separate ticket?
I'd just let you know you have a change at kokura w SKS and a direct train with limited express.
add: it's probably a good idea if you want to try - otherwise limited express might be a but more convinient. actually if i were you i would just take whatever come up first... that would probably mean local train to kokura then SKS. I forgot about them last week but if you can handle a ticket shop you would get some small discount. or if you have time to go to a reservation desk, you can pay by credit card.
add: it's probably a good idea if you want to try - otherwise limited express might be a but more convinient. actually if i were you i would just take whatever come up first... that would probably mean local train to kokura then SKS. I forgot about them last week but if you can handle a ticket shop you would get some small discount. or if you have time to go to a reservation desk, you can pay by credit card.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
awesome. Thank you for the suggestions!.
In Tobata you have a nice art museum, you can get the map at the station.
If you come to Kokura (8 min normal train), there is a castle that is pretty nice, but only open until 17.30 if i recall correctly.
But i would honestly go to Fukuoka and enjoy there, there is soo much more to do. (Shinkansen is only 16min)
Tomorrow morning you can try to have the early visit to Dazaifu (Old small regional capital with temples,..)
Sleeping is generally cheaper in Kokura.
One of the cheaper business hotels in front of the station (shinkansen exit) are Yutaka hotel and Yanagi hotel.
If you come to Kokura (8 min normal train), there is a castle that is pretty nice, but only open until 17.30 if i recall correctly.
But i would honestly go to Fukuoka and enjoy there, there is soo much more to do. (Shinkansen is only 16min)
Tomorrow morning you can try to have the early visit to Dazaifu (Old small regional capital with temples,..)
Sleeping is generally cheaper in Kokura.
One of the cheaper business hotels in front of the station (shinkansen exit) are Yutaka hotel and Yanagi hotel.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: YVR/HND/NRT/HKG
Programs: ANA Diamond
Posts: 228
If I had to recommend a hotel in Fukuoka it would have to be "WITH THE STYLE FUKUOKA", and yes, that's actually the name. It's pretty popular so you it might be unavailable depending on your dates. I wouldn't recommend the Grand Hyatt because it's in a pretty dead area, and if you're going in the summer time, it's about a 15 minute walk from the station (not deal breaking, but annoying). Obviously if you're collecting points, then it's not the place for you, but you might as well stay somewhere a little unique.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008