Fukuoka Airport is Japan’s closest airport to Korea, offering cheap direct flights to Seoul and Busan while providing pleasant commodities.
Japan’s Fukuoka and Korea’s Busan have always been the ports that unite these two nations. In fact, you can even catch a ferry both ways!
During one of my trips to Korea in 2023, I found the cheapest tickets were offered from Fukuoka Airport located in south Japan, and despite residing in Osaka at the time, making the trip down south proved to be my most cost-efficient option.
From awesome mountain views to delicious Japanese restaurants and a comfortable lounge area, Fukuoka Airport has everything a man needs!
Cozy Restaurants & Shops
Most tourists that visit Japan enter through Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita Airports or Osaka’s Kansai and Itami Airports. As such, Fukuoka Airport is more low profile than the others, but that’s why I’m here to show you what this cool funky little airport is actually like!
I do not use these terms lightly, for this airport really is a lot smaller than those of Tokyo and Osaka, but in many ways that’s what makes it charming! The shops in the gate areas are small but plentiful, offering delicious restaurants and shops such as Sora Terrace Kitchen and Sora Terrace Shop (must be a monopoly).
High-Quality Japanese Dishes
Not too pricey and definitely worth every dollar (or yen?), Sora Terrace Kitchen is abundant in delicious Japanese cuisine dishes.
Perfect for a last meal in Japan, you can enjoy a hot bowl of ramen, a scrumptious chicken katsu dish, or a soulful serving of classic Japanese curry.
I opted for a comforting bowl of udon noodle soup to soothe my sorrows (not that I was sad or anything), as I soaked up the atmosphere at this humble little airport restaurant.
Last Minute Souvenirs!
If you’re leaving Japan for good, then why not spend your last remaining yen on some delightful delicacies for your loved ones back home?
There are plenty of souvenir stores at Fukuoka Airport where you can grab some memorable and exclusive Japanese goods such as chocolates, accessories, and every KitKat flavor under the sun!
Honestly, it’s worth grabbing some of these chocolates just for the aesthetic packaging, I mean that Mt. Fuji box would look great on your bookshelf back home!
Relaxing Lounge Areas
In addition to restaurants and souvenir stores, there is also a 7-Eleven in the gates area where you can pick up some cheap goods.
I grabbed myself a coffee from one of the vending machines and chilled out in the lounge area for a solid hour as I awaited my flight to Korea.
Unlike other airports that only have the standard “waiting room” style of chairs near the gates, Fukuoka Airport has a few open lounge areas with comfortable sofa seats and big round tables where you can enjoy some takeaway food or get busy on your electronic devices!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!