Itoshima

Itoshima City

This great coastal drive is just a day trip from the city of Fukuoka.

30 minutes by car from Fukuoka city, the view fills with blue sea and sparkling white sandy beaches. The name Itoshima contains the Japanese character for "island", but it’s actually the name of a town on the western edge of Fukuoka Prefecture. Take a coastal drive and enjoy this dynamic landscape. The most popular spot here is Sakurai Futamigaura, where you can watch the sun go down between two rocks. It’s been selected as one of Japanese hundred best beach sunsets. Watch as twilight turns the sea thoroughly red. Beside the ocean is also a cafe, where you can enjoy a leisurely meal while looking out over the sea.

Make your way into the mountains for superb views of cascading water!

Itoshima is surrounded by many water attractions. Located on Mt. Haganeyama, Shiraito Falls is one such. White skeins of water fall 24 meters to a rocky drop below, with Japanese maples more than 300 years old standing serenely around. When summer comes, visitors splash around in the water, which is the site of a trout fishing festival each May. This famous waterfall is for more than just viewing – you can play in the water too!

Studio Kura is behind Itoshima’s flourishing arts scene

Studio Kura, which is active in promoting Itoshima’s cultural scene to the world, is an art company located in Nijo, Itoshima City. It also holds regular gallery exhibitions and painting classes. Foreign artists from around the world apply each month to live here as Artists-in-Residence. With its participation in art projects in Itoshima and its driving role in various artistic activities, Studio Kura is a significant presence in Itoshima’s contemporary art scene.

For reference

Sakurai Futamigaura

Address

3777-1 Shima Sakurai, Itoshima-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone

092-322-2098 (Itoshima Tourism Association)
Access

Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour, 50 minute flight from Haneda Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 2 hour, flight from Narita Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour flight from Itami Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour flight from Kansai International Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 2 hour, 15 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour, 30 minute flight from Chubu Centrair International Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 50 minute flight from Matsuyama Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 45 minute flight from Miyazaki Airport.
Fukuoka Airport is a 1 hour flight from Naha Airport.
From Fukuoka Airport Station, take the subway to Meinohama Station (20 min). Take the train from Meinohama Station on the JR Chikuhi line to Chikuzenmaebaru Station (20 min). Sakurai Futamigaura is a 20-minute taxi trip along the coast from Chikuzenmaebaru Station.

Shiraito Falls

Address

460-6 Shiraito, Itoshima-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone

092-323-2114 (Shiraito Falls local contact point)
Access

From Fukuoka Airport Station, take the train to Misakigaoka Station (50 min).
Shiraito Falls is about a 20-minute taxi trip from Misakigaoka Station.

Studio Kura

Address

586 Nijo Masusue, Itoshima-shi, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone

092-325-1773
Website

http://studiokura.info/en/
Access

From Fukuoka Airport Station, take the train to Ikisan Station (50 min).
Studio Kura is about a 20-minute walk from Ikisan Station.