Why Fukuoka Is Japan’s Best City for Baby Travel
Approximate reading time: 8-10 minutes
Fukuoka Toy Museum
Table of contents
Introduction
Disclaimers
Why Fukuoka?
Perfect Time for Visiting
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Getting Around
By Train
By Car
Easy Day Trips That Won’t Derail Nap Schedules
Dazaifu
Sightseeing train
Yufuin
Baby-friendly Activities
Ohori Park
Marine World Uminonakamichi
Fukuoka Toy Art Museum
Hotel Recommendations
Ready for your next adventure?
Ending notes
Looking for the best travel hacks?
Introduction
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Japan has always had a special place in our hearts. I’ve frequented the country as a solo traveler throughout the years, and was finally able to show Martin around on his first trip back in 2023, so it was only a matter of time before we brought our daughter to Japan.
From the quiet beauty of Kyoto to the nonstop energy of Tokyo, it’s a country that never stops surprising us. But now that we’re traveling as a family — diapers, stroller, snack packs, and all — we’re seeing it through a brand new lens. And if you’re wondering where to go in Japan with a baby, here’s our no-contest answer: Fukuoka.
This southern city on the island of Kyushu has everything we love about Japan — cleanliness, efficiency, charm — without the crowds or stress. Traveling has always been important to us and we didn’t want to put our lives on pause despite being busy parents. But after experiencing all that Fukuoka has to offer, take it from us, it’s very possible to continue your adventures around the world even with a little one in tow.
Disclaimers
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Why Fukuoka?
Cherry blossoms in Japan
We cannot emphasize enough how surprisingly easy it was exploring Fukuoka. Trust us, as first-time parents, we were definitely nervous about the challenges that come with traveling with a baby. You have to schedule a lot of your time around their temperament, and there are limits to what activities you can do.
However, Fukuoka welcomes you to slow down without missing out on much. The city sees significantly fewer tourists than other parts of Japan, making it also a lot less expensive than, say, Tokyo or Osaka. It served as a great hub for us to take our time and rest as needed, while also exploring the more rural parts of the Kyushu region.
So if you're thinking about seeing Japan with a little one, skip the overwhelm and start here.
Perfect Time for Visiting
Winter
If you don’t mind bearing the cold, Fukuoka can be a great place to visit during the winter! While snow tends to fall in the region at least once per year, accumulation is rare. Keep in mind of the frosty winds that come with being in a coastal city too. Try to aim for the end of February, right after Lunar New Year, as it’s a low time for tourism.
Spring
Early April is typically when Japan expects the most tourists for cherry blossom viewing. But we actually found that Fukuoka was relatively calm despite us coming during the peak travel period. We were able to stroll by the trees just fine with not much of a crowd. Just be sure to check the cherry blossom forecast in advance so that you can time your trip well!
It’s also advisable to avoid Golden Week, from the end of April through the beginning of May. It’s one of the busiest travel periods for locals, so it might be a little too chaotic if you’re bringing your young one around.
Summer
The months transitioning between spring and summer are often quite rainy, so it’s not ideal to travel as a family around this time. And since Fukuoka is a coastal city known for its beaches, it’s a popular summer destination that draws in a good crowd. Summer in Japan is known to be hot and humid as well, so we wouldn’t recommend coming at this time with a baby unless you plan on spending most of your trip indoors.
Fall
This season sees significantly fewer crowds than spring and summer. If you’re hoping to catch views of the autumn foliage, it’s best to come to Fukuoka by late October to late November. The weather will also be just cool enough for a pleasant time outdoors, exploring the city with the family.
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Getting Around
By Train
Fukuoka is a metropolitan, albeit small, capital city, so its local subway system is just as reliable as in any other major city in the country. But because of its relatively small population, you rarely have to worry about weaving through packed crowds to get to your train. Compared to what you might experience in Tokyo’s Shibuya Station, commuting here is much easier, hands down. We found that every stop we went to was stroller accessible as well, with elevators at every station.
The major stations like Hakata and Tenjin also have baby rooms where you can find private cubicles for breastfeeding, changing tables, and a small play area. The baby rooms are very clean and well-equipped so it’s definitely worth a visit in case of emergencies between transit.
You can buy reloadable transportation cards like Suica or PasMo in advance so that you can get around the city seamlessly. If you’re planning to explore a little further out of the city, consider the JR Pass, where you can get unlimited rides on the shinkansen. Check out our article here for a more in-depth guide on how to commute around Japan.
By Car
We actually opted for a private car service while in Fukuoka to explore nearby cities. While it’s admittedly not the most cost-effective way to travel in Japan, sometimes it’s worth the peace of mind, especially when traveling with a baby. It takes you from Point A to Point B seamlessly, without having to struggle with directions.
Booking a private car tour allowed us to go at our own pace since we didn’t have to be at the mercy of train schedules to get to places. And we get it, it can be a lot to move the stroller around going through multiple stops. All around, it’s a more comfortable experience for both the parents and the baby!
Easy Day Trips That Won’t Derail Nap Schedules
One of the biggest perks of Fukuoka? Everything feels close. You can plan short, satisfying half-day trips that fit around your baby’s rhythm:
Dazaifu
Just 30 minutes by train from central Fukuoka, it’s such a convenient stop for a quick day trip. It’s a great place for cultural sights as you can check out Tenmangu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum. Dazaifu is also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. And for the kids, definitely don’t miss out on the Dazaifu Amusement Park. The park features around 20 attractions suitable for young children, including rides that babies can enjoy with a guardian.
Sightseeing train
Ukiha, Fukuoka
We’ve got a hack for those who want to see more of Fukuoka and beyond, but worry about the hassle of rushing between places. Going on a sightseeing train brings you on an adventure while you get to relax. We took the Kanpachi Ichiroku, Kyushu’s newest sightseeing train, between Fukuoka and Beppu. In five hours, we were able to take in more sights than we ever could on foot – and with a delicious traditional bento meal to top it all off.
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Yufuin
Yufuin Flower Village, Japan
This charming little town is about 2 hours away from Fukuoka. Here, you will find boutique shops and cafes themed after beloved characters like Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, Miffy, and more! There’s something here for the whole family to enjoy between the tasty treats and whimsical scenes all around. Lake Kinrin is also a short walk away for some calming nature views.
Baby-friendly Activities
You might not be heading to sake tastings or late-night izakayas on this trip, but Fukuoka has plenty to keep both baby and you entertained.
Ohori Park
Ohori Park, an oasis of greenery in Fukuoka
A beautiful lakeside spot with a perfectly paved walking path, swan boats, and a Japanese garden tucked inside. You can walk for hours, stop at shady benches, and grab a coffee while baby naps to the soundtrack of rustling leaves and ducks paddling by.
Marine World Uminonakamichi
You can watch the vlog on Avelovinit’s Youtube channel : Marine World
A stunning aquarium is just a train and shuttle ride away. Marine World is quite impressive, housing 20,000 fish of 350 varieties. It’s a great way to introduce them to marine life and watch their eyes light up when they see something new.
Fukuoka Toy Art Museum
You can watch the vlog on Avelovinit’s Youtube channel : Fukuoka Toy Museum
Carve out some play time for your baby at the Fukuoka Toy Art Museum, where they can stimulate their senses and be tactile with wooden toys from around the world. There are plenty of staff stationed around the playroom so you can let your baby explore and socialize with other kids worry-free.
Looking for the perfect stay in Fukuoka Japan?
Here are our top three hotel recommendations.
Simply click the hotel name and make your reservation today!
Premium
Miyako Hotel Hakata [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Hakata-ku Hakataeki-higashi 2-1-1
Standard
CROSS Life Hakata Tenjin [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Chuo-ku Haruyoshi 3-26-30
Budget
Hotel Halrotto Fukuoka Hakata [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Hakata-ku Hakataekihigashi 2-9-10
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Ending notes
Ichiran Ramen Tower in Tenjin Nishidori.
Fukuoka is definitely a hidden gem that can create some special memories. If we’ve convinced you to take that jump to travel as a family to Japan, you’ll want to check out our vlogs where we documented what it was like to travel with our daughter. We also have a list of 12 Things to Do in Fukuoka so you can fully plan your trip (yeah, we’re claiming it).
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