The Itoshima Coast in One Day from Fukuoka
A farm market, a waterfall in the hills, basalt sea caves and a sunset at the couple rocks: the slow coast west of Fukuoka in a single loop.
Last updated 2026-09-03 · 1-day self-guided plan
Itoshima Coast
Farm stalls, sea caves and a torii on the sand
For anyone based in Fukuoka who wants a day of sea air and country food instead of another city, with a car or a patient bus timetable.
- 1
Ito-Sai-Sai farmers' market, Maebaru
Take the subway Kuko Line from Hakata or Tenjin; it runs straight through onto the JR Chikuhi Line, and Chikuzen-Maebaru is about 40 minutes. Pick up a rental car by the station, then start at Ito-Sai-Sai, the big farm cooperative market on the edge of town, from mid-morning. Local strawberries in spring, figs and grapes in autumn, fresh tofu and onigiri for the road.
45 MinutesCost: ¥500–1,500 - 2
Shiraito Falls
Drive about 30 minutes south into the hills to Shiraito Falls, a 24-metre curtain of water in a cedar valley; arrive around 11:00 before the weekend lunch rush. In summer the huts below the falls serve somen noodles caught from bamboo flumes, and the air is noticeably cooler than the coast. Hydrangeas line the approach in June.
1 HourCost: Free - 3
Lunch on the Sunset Road
Head back north to the coast road that hugs the northern shore, known locally as the Sunset Road. Beach cafes sit right on the sand between Nogita and Futamigaura, serving Itoshima pork, local vegetables and seafood plates. From roughly November to March the oyster huts near Fukuyoshi and Kishi ports take over: grill your own by the bucket at plastic tables.
1 HourCost: ¥1,500–3,000 
4Keya Great Cave and Keya beach
Continue west about 20 minutes to Keya, where a pine-backed beach ends at a headland of hexagonal basalt columns. Small boats run out to Keya no Oto, a sea cave in the cliff, when the sea is calm, roughly 25 minutes round trip; on rough days walk the beach and the pine grove instead. The pines here are the classic Genkai coast scene.
1 HourCost: ¥500–1,500
5Sakurai Futamigaura at sunset
Drive back east along the Sunset Road to Futamigaura for the last hour of light. A white torii stands on the beach in front of Meoto Iwa, two rocks joined by a straw rope, and in early summer the sun sets exactly between them. Return the car in Maebaru and take the through train back to Tenjin, about 45 minutes.
1 HourCost: Free
Day 1 Estimated Cost
- Food¥2,500–4,500
- Transport (train + rental car)¥6,000–9,000
- Boat & extras¥500–1,500
Tips
This coast is car country: buses from Chikuzen-Maebaru reach Futamigaura and Keya but only every hour or two, so rent a small car for the day if you can.
Sand, basalt and a muddy waterfall path: wear shoes you can rinse, and bring a towel for Keya beach in summer.
Oyster huts are a winter thing, roughly November to March; outside that, the beach cafes and the farm market are where the good food is.
Futamigaura faces north-west, so the sun drops between the couple rocks only around May and June; the rest of the year shoot the torii at blue hour instead.