Itoshima is a small coastal city located 30 minutes drive away from Fukuoka city. It is surrounded by beautiful blue ocean and green mountains. This city not only offers many beautiful landscapes but also provides fun activities with delicious foods. Itoshima should be definitely on your list to visit if you are visiting Kyushu Island, especially during the summertime.
View on FacebookItoshima, a paradise city surrounded by natures and blue ocean
Itoshima is a small city located in northeast of Fukuoka prefecture, facing the Genkai Sea. It's a home to 10 thousand people and it's considered as Fukuoka's summer paradise, because it is surrounded by turquoise blue beaches, white sands, and green mountains. This city is not only famous for its beautiful nature but also for its wonderful sunsets. There are also many local stylish and chic cafes and shops in the city so this place, surrounded by stunning nature, is a perfect place to spend quality time.
Sakurai Futamigaura, the most popular spot of Itoshima
Sakurai Futamigaura, also known as "married couple rock", are two huge rocks standing in the middle of the sea located 150m away from the White Torii Gate of Futamigaura Beach. These two rocks belong to Sakurai Shrine and were tied together by Shimenawa, which is a Shinto rope that acts as a barrier against evils. The contrast between the blue ocean ,the blue sky, and the White Torii Gate is what makes this place so attractive and popular for sunset. As the sun sets between the two rocks, it offers a breathtaking view in a magical and sacred atmosphere. Sakurai Futamigaura was selected as one of the top 100 best spots in Japan for sunsets and its beach was selected as one of the top 100 most beautiful coasts of Japan. Many people believe Sakurai Futamigaura bring good lucks to couples so this place is visited frequently by many couples.
Mystical cascade of Shiraito Falls
Shiraito no Taki, also known as Shiraito Falls, is also another popular tourist spot in Itoshima. Located in Mt. Haganeyama, this amazing cascade is surrounded by many Japanese maple trees that are over three hundred years old. This mystic 30 m long Shiraito Falls will blow your mind. As soon as you walk in the forest you feel the cool and fresh winds created by trees and greeneries. Furthermore, there is also a waterhole at the downstream of Shiraito Falls and people can play with water and swim there. 
Aside from escaping the summer heat and cooling down at this wonderful spot, you can also enjoy fishing at the nearby pond. Because of the fresh and clear water from the waterfalls, Yamane trouts are caught frequently at this pond. That is why this place holds a trout festival in May every year. At a nearby restaurant called Shiki no Chaya, you can cook the trouts that you caught and enjoy it with a Japanese food called "Nagashi somen". Nagashi somen is a popular food for supper in Japan because of its uniqueness. You basically catch somen noodles flowing down a bamboo pipe with chopsticks and dip it with Tsuyu sauce and eat them. Shiki no Chaya also offers soba making workshops where you get to experience making Japanese soba noodles in traditional way.
Explore more and discover more of Itoshima
If you are an adventure lover, there is a good news for you! The 33 km long Shima Sunset Road along the coast gives an astonishing view of Itsohima and its stunning blue ocean. If you are an active person, you can explore this road by driving, biking, or even cycling. Keya no Oto cave in Genkai Quasi-National Park is another beautiful spot in Itoshima to visit which is only accessible via boat from April to November. One more great place you wouldn't want to miss is Itoshima's Forest Adventure, which is a treetop amusement park offering many fun activities for kids and adults. If you want to experience something historic and spiritual, Raizan Sennyo-ji Daihioin Temple should be on your list. It is a Shingon temple, famous for its colourful maple leaves in the autumn. 200 large maple trees that are more than 400 years old all turn red and yellow in the autumn and makes the temple feel very sacred and beautiful, attracting many tourists during that time. At the Sennyo-ji Temple, you can also see 500 disciples of Buddha on the mountainside, as well as a beautiful and traditional country yard. The entry to the temple costs 100 yen and if you wish to visit further into the mountain, it will cost 400 yen.
Relax at chic cafes and treat yourself with delicious foods
Itoshima has many local and traditional cafes and restaurants, and some of them are located just by the beaches. During the daytime, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Itoshima and in the evening, you can enjoy the famous sunset of Futamigaura beach while having a lovely meal. Some of the restaurants are stylish and chic with eco friendly interior designs so you can enjoy contemporary and organic menus in a warm and nice atmosphere. There are many sweet and gelato stalls which you can visit while casually exploring the city. These sweets and gelatos made by the locals are not just yummy but also cute and good for Instagram. While you are visiting Itoshima, you can also try traditional Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients which will definitely fulfill your Japanese adventure.
How to visit?
From Tokyo to Fukuoka is a two-hour ride via plane. If you are traveling to Itoshima from central Fukuoka, it is around 30 minutes ride by car. Alternatively, you can take a Kuko line train from Tenjin station to Chikuzen-Maebaru station. ### Reference Listhttp://www.city.itoshima.lg.jp/
https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/destinations/fukuoka/itoshima
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https://jw-webmagazine.com/little-known-heavenly-beach-in-japan-9c5848e6f05e
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https://kinarino.jp/cat8-%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C%E3%83%BB%E3%81%8A%E5%87%BA%E3%81%8B%E3%81%91/13448-
