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What to Do in Itoshima, Fukuoka – Activity and Food Guide

Located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Itoshima is known for its beaches, mountains, cafes, and calmness. Its proximity to central Fukuoka city and abundance of outdoor activities make it a great place to head to for a day or weekend trip. If you are planning a visit, check out this guide for top things to do in Itoshima!

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Table of Contents

Bike Along the Coast + Cafe Hopping

One of the best things to do in Itoshima is hop on a pair of wheels and zoom along the coast. There are a lot of different things to see depending on which route you take including the white torii gate of Sakurai Shrine, Keya Beach, and oyster huts in the winter.

Check out this guide for my top bike route recommendations, complete with tips on how to rent a bike and which cafes and shops to visit along the way!

Hit the Waves During a Surf Lesson

Itoshima has beautiful beaches and nice waves making it a hotspot for local surfers. Even beginners can have a chance at the fun with surf lessons provided at many shops along the water. I had my first Itoshima surfing experience at TF Surfboard Australia.

Even though the guide only spoke Japanese, I was able to learn so much. Surf’s up!

Another place for surf lessons is at Mission Surf. The guides here are  NSA-certified instructors.

Relax at Keya Beach

From Chikuzen Maebaru Station, you can catch the bus to Keya Beach for 200 yen. It is a bit infrequent so make sure you check the timetable. (Payment is currently by cash or Pay Pay only).

The sand at Keya Beach isn’t super soft, but the benefit is that it is usually much less crowded than Futamigaura Beach. (Except during the yearly Sunset Live music festival on the beach).

Near Keya Beach, there are camping grounds, several restaurants, the boat to Keya no Oto, and Mt. Tateishi.

Take a Boat to Keya no Oto

If you want to see Keya no Oto, the largest basaltic cave in Japan, hop on a tour boat that departs from the Keya harbor. The ride can be quite rocky so take care if you are prone to seasickness.

The cave is made of dark black magma rock and has white crystals on parts of the surface. The boat takes you right up to the mouth of the cave before heading back to the fishing port. It lasts about 25 minutes and costs 800 yen for adults. The official page is here (Japanese only).

Climb Mt. Tateishi

From Keya Beach, you can climb up Mt. Tateishi in about 30 minutes. The path is short but inclines pretty quickly so make sure to pack water and wear comfortable hiking shoes.

Once you get to the top, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the land and water below. You’ll also be able to see Keya no Oto jutting out into the sea.

The trail up the mountain is sandy, so watch your footing as you climb.

Enjoy specially spiced jerk chicken, towering burgers, and crispy curry onion rings while overlooking the sea at the Natty Dread! With yummy food, upbeat Jamaican music, and fast service, it’s no secret why this is a popular spot to visit.

Check daily opening announcements on the shops’s Instagram.

Pick up Produce at Ito Sai Sai Farmer’s Market

Ito Sai Sai Farmer’s Market is a place where you can get a variety of fresh produce and specially produced Itoshima-made products.

Without a car, it’s easiest to reach from Hatae Station (15 minute walk) or by bicycle.

Cook Up Oysters at an Oyster Hut

One of Itoshima’s specialties are the seasonal oyster huts which operate in the winter from October to late March. At one of these oyster huts, enjoy eating freshly caught oysters and other seafood.

This is a great activity to do with friends and family. Read more about Itoshima Oyster Huts here!

Lounge at a Beachside Cafe

Itoshima has recently become a place known for its many beachside cafes. I mean, what is better than enjoying a great view with a cold drink in hand or a plate of freshly cooked food? There are lots of cafes to choose from (and many that I still need to visit), but here are a few favorite spots!

Koko Cafe Itoshima

One of my favorite hidden gems in Itoshima is Koko Cafe. Located far from everything else mentioned in this guide, it takes a bit of effort to get to this special place.

It’s worth the effort though as Koko’s Cafe is located in a prime spot for beach viewing and the dishes are nutritious and refreshing.

As a cool bonus, the woman in charge makes all of the clay diningware by hand using a kiln attached to the cafe!

Right by Koko Cafe is Anego Beach, another lesser-visited beach that has shallow water and supposedly “singing sand”. (I didn’t hear the singing though). Learn more about Koko Cafe and Anego Beach in the video below!

Beach Cafe SUNSET

Another great place to eat near the beach is Beach Cafe SUNSET. Choose a spot on the wooden deck that faces the ocean while you sit back and relax with tropical drinks and dishes like jerk chicken and loco moco.

As the name suggests, this a good spot to visit for watching the sunset. Nearby Futamigaura Beach is easy to access and right across the street, you can take a fun photo.

Sunflower Cafe

Perched right by the water, the Sunflower Cafe is another perfect spot to visit if you want to enjoy a meal over scenic water views. They serve fruity drinks, smoothies, pizza, and pasta. (The salad pizza is as weird as it sounds.) Nearby you can see Palm Tree Swing Park.

Bistro & Cafe TIME

The last beachside cafe on this list, Bistro & Cafe TIME is quite small but has a larger outside patio right by the beach. The food is mainly French style.

Perched on a hill overlooking the water is CURRENT cafe, a large restaurant with terrace and and indoor seating. They have lunch sets that feature local ingredients as well as seasonal sweets like watermelon and peach shaved ice in the summer.

Shiraito Waterfall is a perfect place to visit in the summer to escape the heat and cool off with fun summer activities.

Not only is the waterfall beautiful, but visitors can spend time fishing in the stream and trying the Nagashi Somen noodles that run across a bamboo slide. (Fishing is available May through November and Nagashi somen is available May through September.)

Play at the Palm Tree Swing Park

Palm Tree Swing Park is a small place by the water where swings have been created out of the nearby palm trees.

In addition to the swings, there are several other fixtures to play around on like a climbing wall and a spinning pull-up bar. As the ocean makes for a great backdrop, this is a popular photo spot.

View the White Torii Gate and Wedded Rocks

One of Itoshima’s most picturesque spots is at Futamigaura Beach. Here you’ll find a majestic, all-white torii gate framing a pair of wedded rocks connected by a sacred rope. One a clear day, the daytime view is beautiful, but I feel the most spectacular scene is during sunset.

Biking to Futamigaura Beach is one of my favorite activities to do! Learn more about the ride here.

Have a Spa Day at Ito no Yudokoro

Want to spend the day soaking in hot baths, steaming in saunas, and lying over a bed of hot rocks? Head to Ito no Yudokoro for the ultimate Japanese public bath experience!

Image from the Glocal Hotel Itoshima website

This large facility has multiple indoor and outdoor baths, a large changing space, a small marketplace, a lounge area, a terrace space, and a restaurant. You can spend a great half day unwinding and lounging in the facilities.

Ito no Yudokoro is located right by the hotel, settle GLOCAL HOTEL ITOSHIMA which I highly recommend as a comfortable and clean place to stay.

BBQ on the Beach

If you are looking to cook your own meal instead of sitting in a cafe, then a beach BBQ may be just the thing! At Fukae Beach, you can rent a BBQ spot and cook up your choice of meats and veggies right by the water.

There are all-inclusive bbq plans meaning you don’t have to pack a thing! For more information, check here. (Japanese only)

Cafe Lily is a spacious and cozy cafe decorated with warm wooden accents.

The cafe opens earlier than most places so you can enjoy breakfast in the morning or snacks like decadent fruit parfaits throughout the day. They also sell baked goods that can be taken away if you just want to visit for a short stop.

After visiting the cafe, check out the liquor store Aguri next door for tastings, and reasonably priced local specialties including wine, shochu, and sake.

Taste Freshly Baked Goods at Boulangerie Noan Bakery

Start the day with some fresh pastries and bread at Boulangerie Noan Bakery. This shop is small, but lots of delicious homemade goods are packed in so you should be able to find something that fits your taste!

Shop for Crafts at artistation Itoshima

artistation Itoshima is an art gallery that showcases items made by local artisans. Come here to see many handmade items including ceramic ware, washi paper, wood crafts, and glassware.

Pick up Handmade Souvenirs Itoshima Kurashi Kokonoki

Itoshima Kurashi Kokonoki is another small shop that sells locally made items as well as some baked goods.

Want to make an activity of the journey to Itoshima? How about biking there from the heart of Fukuoka City?

Along the way, stop by Fukuoka landmarks such as Ohori Park, Fukuoka Tower, Pay Pay Dome, and pass through many beaches. Check out this video for what it’s like to bike to Itoshima!

If convenience is key and you rely on public transportation to get to Itoshima, staying near one of the train stations is easiest. However, if you have a car and want to enjoy the scenery, I recommend a night by the coast.

seven x seven 糸島 (Itoshima) is a hotel that opened in Spring of 2024. It has 47 rooms that face the water, some with private hot tubs on the terrace. The rooms blend European modern luxury with the simplicity of the sea and nature. Located right next to Sakurai Futamigaura Shrine and the Couples Stones, this is a great place for those looking for an upscale getaway.

seven x seven 糸島 hotel ocean view

If you base yourself near Chikuzen Maebaru Station, you’ll be close to the Tourist Information Center which rents bikes and can help with your travel planning. (Learn more about biking around Itoshima.)

Itoshima Guesthouse and Backpackers TOMO shared space
Itoshima Guest House and Backpackers TOMO

For cost-efficient dormitory-style lodging, I recommend Itoshima Guest House and Backpackers TOMO. This place has a nice downstairs area that comes with a cooking space. The staff can recommend different dining options during your stay.

For a private space near the station, I recommend Guest House Kotonoha. Here you’ll get a full living space plus a kitchen and bathroom to yourself. The couple that runs this guest house is very friendly and you can rent bikes here too.

Further from the station, but located near Kyushu University and the public bath, Ito no Yudokoro, is the hotel, settle Glocal Itoshima.

This hotel feels newer and more modern compared to typical Japanese business hotels and with an overnight stay, you get free access to the massive public bath facility across the street!

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this list has given you some inspiration for what to do in Itoshima on your next trip! With so many activities and food galore, you’re bound to have a good time.


This book is a visual introduction to the grandeur of Japan’s Kyushu region. The over 60 pages of photos and text depict various spots for sightseeing, enjoying nature, and experiencing seasonal festivals. Enjoy perusing the pages and discovering some of Kyushu’s less-traveled treasures! Ships Internationally.

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