The plan:
The adventure begins tonight, a late 9 PM departure from Singapore on Thai Airways (TG410,TG648), with a brief transit in Bangkok before an early 8 AM landing in Fukuoka. It promises to be a long night, and the coming day, though packed with anticipation, will undoubtedly test our resolve against jet lag.
Our first mission upon arrival, after securing our ORIX rental car, is a southern escape to the scenic Itoshima Peninsula for an afternoon of a restorative lunch, coastal exploration, and a refreshing hike. By 4 PM, we aim to be back in Fukuoka, eagerly anticipating a comfortable hotel check-in before the exhilarating start of a Japanese adventure.
From Runway to Ramen :
Our first morning in Japan began with a quick transition: landing, securing the ORIX car near Fukuoka Airport, and pivoting immediately south towards the promise of the Itoshima Peninsula. We paused for a restorative teishoku lunch, savouring the simple serenity of a meal overlooking tranquil rice fields before our whimsical hike. The famed "Totoro Forest" delivered its magic, leading us through gnarled camellia arches to a breathtaking viewpoint high above the Genkai Sea, where the raw geometry of the basalt columns met the ocean’s expanse.
The day's driving concluded swiftly with a 45-minute highway sprint back to Fukuoka. Shedding our luggage and the car at the hotel felt like an official release into holiday mode. A short subway ride took us downtown, the cold, crisp air immediately directing us toward the lively Tenjin Christmas Market. Fortified by new warmth from Uniqlo, we dove into the city's culinary heart: a delicious, crowded pilgrimage to Shin Shin for bowls of famous Hakata ramen.
Our evening concluded with a reflective walk near the illuminated Central Park waterfront—a moment of urban beauty. True to our travel form, our planned breakfast shopping quickly became a massive midnight haul.
By 10 PM, our new ICOCCA cards whisked us back to the hotel, satisfied and ready for the adventures ahead.