After a quick 15-minute ride on the Kagoshima Main Line from JR Hakata Station I arrived at JR Futsukaichi Station to spend a day exploring the area. The area is home to Futsukaichi Onsen, known for its healing waters.
The station itself is small with just four platforms. Despite its quaint size, the station has a waiting room area which houses a souvenir shop that sells the delicious local specialty, umegae mochi (rice cake with azuki bean paste). There is also a very helpful tourism office. Stop in to pick up some maps about the surrounding area. Note that the staff only speak Japanese but English language maps are available.
To access Futsukaichi Onsen, take a left out of the station and follow the clearly marked signs. The onsen are located in the center of town in an area aptly named Yu Machi (bath town). You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the large “Baden House” sign. Take your pick—there are three public onsen to choose from. I visited the Gozen-Yu bathhouse. With only a 200-yen admission fee, it made for a relaxing and inexpensive day out. It’s said that people have been bathing in these therapeutic waters since the eighth century.
While in the area it is highly recommended to visit Dazaifu, a countryside town that has its own tourist sites such as the Kyushu National Museum, Dazaifu Tenman-gu, classic zen temples and gardens, the medieval government center, and other sites. Getting to Dazaifu is easy via train on the nearby Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta Line from JR Futsukaichi or hop on a bus in front of the station. Buses depart once an hour and one-way costs 400-yen.
Futsukaichi Station is a great access point for some truly lovely spots in the Fukuoka region. It may be one of the smaller stations to visit but its charming vibe and hometown appeal make it a cozy station that truly exudes the local spirit; what's more: it is easy to navigate!
