Is a Hita Side Trip Worth it?
I recently had an unexpected travel adventure where I unintentionally ended up staying in Hita, Japanese small town, for three days. Long story short! I completely misunderstood the location of our accommodation and accidentally booked it right in the heart of Hita instead of Fukuoka.
But looking back? Hita trip was the best mistake that i could have made. I was absolutely blown away by my time there, and it's safe to say that a side trip to Hita is 100% worth it. Through this Fukuoka and Hita itinerary, you will naturally see exactly why this charming town deserves spot on your travel bucket list.
A Quick stop in Fukuoka
We landed in Fukuoka around 11:00 AM. Eager to make the most of our first morning, we headed straight out to the bustling Hakata Marui (olol) Department store as soon as we arrived in the city center Hakata.
It seems like Marui department store almost always have fantastic sales on clothing. However, these clearance sections or special events hall are located on different floors depending on the specific branch, making it a bit tricky to pinpoint the exact location right away. A great insider tip is to look for a sign 'Locust Price.' That is where you will find the best bargain section. (We went to Marui department store Hakata branch.
Once we wrapped up out shopping spree, we worked up quite an appetite and headed over to a local Japanese-Chinese restaurant for lunch.
I've always wanted to try authentic Japanese-Chinese food whenever i saw it featured in Japanese dramas and movies, and it turned out to be an amazing choice! If you are used to Korean-Chinese food, this is a completely different culinary experience. While Korean-Chinese dishes lean toward strong, bold black bean paste or spicy seafood broth flavors, Japanese-Chinese cuisine has a much more subtle, savory, soy-sauce-based flavor profile.To top it all off, their fried rice was absolutely perfect.-smoky, fluffy, and packed with flavor.
Day 1: Arriving Hita, Japanese small town
After our highly satisfying lunch, it was time to make our way to Hita.
W caught a highway bus from the Hakata Bus Terminal, and the scenic journey out to the countryside took about two hours.
By the time we pulled into Hita, it was already early evening. At first, we felt a bit thrown off-coming straight from a bustling metropolis, it was surreal to see that almost all the shops were already closed and the town was completely quiet. It felt like a total contrast to the high-energy vibe of Fukuoka.
But that didn't mean we didn't like it. In fact, we quickly fell in love with Hita's calm, peaceful atmosphere. Fortunately, a few local restaurants were still open, so we popped into one of them for a cozy dinner to wrap up our very first day.
Day 1: Dining at a Local Favorite (Hana Hana Restaurant)
One of the absolute highlights of our Hita side trip was discovering a local restaurant called Hana Hana. It's the kind of authentic neighborhood spot where local Japanese residents gather to unwind, drink, and have a great time.
They offer incredibly affordable prices and feature a huge variety of dishes on their menu. We ordered Tonpeiyaki (a savory pork and cabbage omelet), Udon, and their seasoned cucumbers—and every single dish was fantastic.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere was incredibly warm and welcoming. the staff and regulars were so friendly that they even tried to playfully set up on a spontaneous blind date right then and there! I think our ability to speak a little bit of Japanese broke the ice and made everyone extra enthusiastic.
We were completely won over by the vibrant energy, the delicious food, and the budget-friendly prices. In fact, we loved it so much that we ended up popping back into this restaurant two days in a row!!
Day 2: Renting a Bicycle
We slept in a bit on our second morning in Hita, waking up to a beautiful, slow morning. Once we were up, we headed straight down to Hita Station, where there is a convenient bicycle rental shop located right by the terminal.
We spent the afternoon exploring the town on two wheels, checking out a handful of beautiful local spots. By far, the most memorable sight was a tiny, isolated bus stop sitting right in the middle of a vast stretch of green rice paddies.
I honestly have no idea if the bus still runs there, but the striking color of the rustic bus stop contrasted against the vivid, vibrant green fields was absolutely breathtaking.
Day 2: Cycling to the Sapporo Beer Factory
After exploring a few more beautiful scenic spots, we made our way to the Sapporo Beer Factory. I used to think that Sapporo beer was only brewed up north in Hokkaido, but it turns out they have a few major breweries scattered across Japan—and the Hita factory is one of them!
A quick word of warning for fellow travelers: while we rode our rental bicycles all the way there, I wouldn't actually recommend doing that. The route is packed with steep uphills, and the factory itself sits right on top of a massive hill. It was quite a workout..
Once we arrived, we signed up for the factory's guided tour program. and i have to say, Sapporo beer factory tour is an absolute must-do. It is incredibly budget-friendly—costing only about $3 USD (5OO yen)—which includes the educational tour, a freshly poured glass of beer, and a complimentary souvenir beer glass to take home!!
Drinking a glass of beer that came straight off the factory production line was an out-of this-world experience. It was so incredibly crisp and fresh that i can confidently say it was the best beer i've ever had in my entire life!
Day 2: Strolling Through Historic Mamedamachi Street
By the time we wrapped up our Sapporo Beer Factory tour, we headed back to the rental shop to return our bicycles. Next, we made our way over to Mamedamachi Street, a historic area that comes highly recommended on Google Reviews.
To be completely honest, it wasn't quite my style. While the street does a wonderful job of preserving its traditional architecture and historic houses, it felt a bit like a spot purely designed for souvenir shopping. from my perspective, it didn't feel uniquely different from other traditional shopping streets in Japan. That being said, the street itself is undeniably charming and packed with great photo spotsㅡSo if you have some extra time to spare in your itinerary, it is still well worth a quick stroll.
Day 2: Unwinding at Kaffel Hina-no-Sato
After racking up nearly 20,000 steps exploring every corner of Hita, our feet were completely exhausted. We headed straight back to our accommodation, Kaffel Hina-no-Sato, to take full advantage of their relaxing Onsen (hot spring bath).
While it's not a fancy, luxury hot spring with traditional wooden baths, it was more than enough to completely melt away our fatigue.
Beyond the onsen, Kaffel Hina-no-Sato is packed with fantastic facilities that guests can use for free:
Massage Chairs & Hammocks
After a soothing soak in the hot spring, we headed straight over to the dedicated massage chair zone. Alternating between the hot onsen water and a deep-tissue massage chair was the ultimate recovery combinationㅡour bodies felt completely rejuvenated afterward!
The Manga & Comic Book Lounge
If you love unwinding with a good book, they also have a cozy comic lounge featuring shelves stacked with manga. Even though the books are all in Japaneseㅡmeaning i couldn't actually read themㅡthe space itself has such a relaxing vibe. If you brought your own book or e-reader along for the flight, this is the perfect spot to grab a comfortable seat and enjoy some quiet reading time.
The Riverside Viewing Terrace
There is a beautiful outdoor terrace located on the first fllor that overlooks the Mikuma River. I highly recommend visiting here around early evening so you can catch the breathtaking sunset reflecting over the water.
