Selected 18 recommended tourist spots and inns in Fukuoka Prefecture’s Ukiha City! Hinotori introduces carefully chosen tourist spots, cafes, and accommodations.
7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Ukiha City
Fukuoka Prefecture’s Ukiha City is a tourist destination known for its beautiful nature and historic streets. Here are seven must-visit spots in Ukiha City.
1. Shigatsu no Sakana (April’s Fish)
April Fish is an art gallery located in the center of Ukiha City. It features works by local artists that resonate with visitors’ sensibilities. The gallery offers a quiet and tranquil atmosphere, making it a place where one can feel healed through art. Regular exhibitions and workshops are also a highlight, providing new discoveries with every visit. This spot is recommended not only for art lovers but also for those encountering art for the first time.
2. MINOUBOOKS
MINOUBOOKS is a bookstore and cafe situated at the foot of the Mino Mountains in Ukiha City. With the theme of “Books for Everyday Life,” the store offers a carefully curated selection of books related to lifestyle, including clothing, food, and housing, as well as art books that add color to everyday life.
The cafe space allows visitors to enjoy their purchased books while relaxing, with a menu featuring dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. The shop also showcases works by local artists and craftspeople, serving as a hub for sharing the region’s culture and charm. Regular talk events and workshops create opportunities for visitors to connect and learn.
3. Seikatsu Koubaiten Reed
Seikatsu Koubaiten Reed is a general store located in the heart of Ukiha City. It features handcrafted items by local artisans and products that enhance everyday life. Handmade ceramics, wooden crafts, and organic cosmetics are particularly popular.
The shop is beautifully arranged, highlighting the charm of its products. Many items use local materials, offering visitors a glimpse into Ukiha City’s culture and traditions. It’s an ideal place to find souvenirs or gifts for oneself.
4. Shirakabe Street (White-Walled Streets)
The white-walled streets of Ukiha City offer a historical and atmospheric experience. This area, with buildings preserved from the Edo period, features white-walled warehouses and old houses, creating a feeling of stepping back in time.
The Yoshii district is particularly well-preserved, providing a relaxing stroll through its streets. Along the roads, visitors can find shops and cafes selling local specialties, making it a perfect photo spot for tourists. This harmonious blend of historical architecture and modern life makes it a must-see area in Ukiha City.
Shirakabe Street (White-Walled Streets)
5. Ukiha Inari Shrine
Ukiha Inari Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Ukiha City. Its pathway lined with red torii gates creates a sacred atmosphere. Located on a mountainside, the path leads to a beautiful view.
The shrine is especially stunning during cherry blossom season in spring and the colorful foliage of autumn. Beloved by locals, it is known as a place to find peace of mind. Visitors are encouraged to walk slowly along the path and enjoy the harmony of nature and history.
6. Ukiha City Forest Therapy
Ukiha City Forest Therapy offers the perfect program to refresh both body and mind in nature. Visitors can enjoy strolling along well-maintained forest trails and taking in the beautiful seasonal scenery, such as vibrant fresh greenery in spring, terraced rice fields in early summer, and fiery autumn leaves.
Guided therapy programs are available, led by local experts who introduce the area’s natural attractions. It’s an ideal destination for escaping daily stress and enjoying the healing power of the forest.
7. Roadside Station Ukiha
Michi-no-Eki Ukiha is a popular spot where visitors can buy fresh local produce and specialty products. The spacious site features fresh fruits and vegetables grown with care by local farmers.
The station also has restaurants and cafes serving dishes made with local ingredients, offering visitors a taste of Ukiha City. Seasonal dishes featuring fresh ingredients are especially delightful. Additionally, the tourist information center provides easy access to sightseeing information.
Restaurants and Cafés in Ukiha City: 9 Recommendations
Ukiha City is home to many restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy delicious meals and sweets. Here are nine highly recommended spots.
1. River Wild
Located in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Riverwild is a ham factory and café. They produce and sell handmade ham and sausages made from locally raised branded pork such as “Minou Akabuta,” “Minou Ittonton,” and “Riverwild Pork.” Using their home-raised pigs, the handmade ham and sausages boast exceptional quality and flavor. The café offers fresh hot dogs and other light meals, with the hot dogs being particularly popular due to their juicy and large sausages, making them perfect for lunch. The café’s scenic location along the Chikugo River provides a relaxing atmosphere with the sound of the river in the background.
2. Wagashi Hitaya Fukutomi
Wagashi Hitatoya Fukutomi is a traditional Japanese sweets shop beloved by the locals in Ukiha City. Using locally sourced ingredients, their wagashi (Japanese sweets) are exceptional. Seasonal wagashi, which change throughout the year, are especially popular and make perfect souvenirs. The shop’s tranquil atmosphere allows visitors to enjoy a leisurely time while appreciating the beauty of Japanese aesthetics.
3. Kawasemi Danish
Kawasemi Danish is a specialty Danish pastry shop located in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, known for its picturesque whitewashed streets. The pastries, made with fresh local fruits, are visually delightful and delicious. With a crispy texture and rich flavor, the pastries are addictive. Visitors can enjoy different fruits depending on the season. The shop has a bright and open ambiance, offering both eat-in and takeaway options.
4. Vin Cafe PROSPERO
Vin Cafe PROSPERO is a café in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, where you can enjoy the harmony of locally sourced fresh ingredients and wine. The owner, a certified sommelier, has curated over 50 types of wine, while the dishes, such as fresh pasta made with local wheat and fresh vegetable dishes, are highly popular. The café’s relaxed atmosphere makes it suitable for lunch, dinner, or a solo visit.
5. Kifune
Kifune is a soba restaurant located in Ukiha Town, Ukiha City, housed in a restored 150-year-old traditional Japanese home. The unique blend of traditional and modern design is captivating. The restaurant specializes in juwari soba (100% buckwheat noodles) made with fresh local ingredients. Popular set meals such as “Kifune Lunch” and “Duck Lunch” offer a delicious and satisfying dining experience.
6. KIRITO COFFEE ROASTERS
KIRITO COFFEE ROASTERS is a café in Ukiha City where you can enjoy authentic coffee brewed from freshly roasted beans. The café, repurposed from a former kindergarten, evokes nostalgia and provides a cozy atmosphere. Coffee enthusiasts will love this spot, making it a perfect stop during sightseeing.
7. Wagashi Budoya
Wagashi Budoya is a Japanese confectionery shop in Ukiha Town specializing in handmade sweets using local ingredients. Their signature treat, “Mame-tan,” features caramelized almond-flavored monaka (wafer) filled with homemade mochi and red bean paste, offering a unique texture and flavor. Seasonal sweets, such as sakuramochi and ohagi, add to the shop’s appeal.
8. Umaan Konomi Yoshii Main Store
Umaan Konomi Yoshii Main Store is a specialty restaurant in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, where you can enjoy horse meat and premium Kyushu beef. The restaurant offers various dishes, including horse sashimi, barbecue, and hot pots. Their brand of horse meat, “Konomi Sakura,” raised on their farm, features exquisite marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Umaan Konomi Yoshii Main Store
Pan no Mokka
Pan no Mokka is a popular bakery in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, located in a renovated traditional Japanese house. The warm and inviting shop offers a wide variety of bread, from hearty loaves to danishes and sandwiches. Customers often line up before opening, highlighting its popularity. The shop’s terrace seating allows visitors to enjoy their purchases in a serene, nature-filled setting.
Traditional Inns in Ukiha City: 2 Recommendations
Here are two inns in Ukiha City where you can experience the history and natural beauty unique to the area.
Minamo
Minamo, located in Yoshii Town, Ukiha City, is a dispersed traditional Japanese inn that weaves together the area’s history and craftsmanship. Guests can enjoy locally sourced fresh ingredients, with breakfasts featuring dishes prepared with the city’s abundant underground water. Each room has a unique theme, offering a distinctive experience that blends history, nature, and local charm.
Ukiha Koshio no Akari
Ukiha Koshio no Akari is a secluded private inn nestled in the peaceful mountains of Ukiha City. Known as “Firefly Village,” the area offers a magical view of thousands of fireflies during summer. The inn, accommodating only one group per day, provides privacy and relaxation with scenic terrace views of rice fields. Guests can enjoy seasonal barbecue or hot pot dining plans.
