[Vlog#9]佐賀・福岡4泊5日のグルメ旅[ひとり旅]
Hello, this is Danny. This time, it’s a five-day, four-night gourmet trip to Saga and Fukuoka Prefectures. I started my journey on Thursday, February 6th. The morning air was still crisp and chilly, and it was a time when I was barely awake. I headed to Fukuoka Airport on the 8:00 AM flight. It had been a while since I last visited Hakata. The area around the station was as lively as ever. However, this day was a bit special. It was the day when a cold wave wrapped up Kyushu. Even near Hakata Station, white snow was falling from the sky, and it was freezing cold. Despite coming south to escape the cold for a winter trip, I was caught off guard by the weather. From here, I took the limited express Midori 23 to Saga. The journey took about 40 minutes, a relaxing train ride where I could enjoy the winter scenery. This was my first time setting foot in Saga. Just being in a new place made my heart race a little. When I arrived in Saga, the snow was still falling lightly. I would be staying for two nights at APA Hotel Saga Station Front. Before checking in, I left my luggage and set out for a walk around town. I headed to “Ekimae Ramen Big One,” a traditional ramen shop located right near the station. I ordered Saga Ramen. The pork bone broth was light with a moderate saltiness and fat, topped with a raw egg. When I mixed the egg in, the soup became creamier… It was the perfect dish to warm me up on a cold winter afternoon. After enjoying my ramen, I took a leisurely stroll around the town. In the evening, it was time for one of the pleasures of traveling: tasting the local flavors. I went to “Gyusho,” a yakiniku restaurant serving Saga beef. First, I ordered beef tongue and Saga beef short ribs. As soon as the meat hit the grill, the smell filled the air… it was already a feast at that moment. The grilled tongue was perfectly tender with a rich flavor, and the short ribs were fatty and juicy, with a sweet taste that spread in my mouth. Then, after much deliberation, I decided to try the “Saga Beef Mega Ten Roast.” True to its name, it was an enormous size. It couldn’t fit on the grill, so I had to cut it in half to cook. Although it was thin, the flavor was rich, and the sweetness of the fat was clearly present. It might have been a bit too fatty, though… After dinner, I returned to the hotel to officially check in. The room was simple yet calming, and the amenities were well-stocked. I was pleasantly surprised to find free mineral water available. After resting in my room, I found myself craving a sweet treat to end the day. I went out again and headed to a fruit parlor called “Anniversary.” There, I had a parfait made with “Ichigo-san,” a strawberry variety from Saga Prefecture. Being the L-size, it was quite a large portion. “Ichigo-san” is a new variety introduced in 2018, known for its balanced sweetness and acidity, with a refined taste. However, some of the strawberries were a bit frozen, which made it hard to fully savor their natural flavor. Still, the parfait had a mix of other fruits, making it a satisfying and indulgent dessert. And so, the first day of my trip came to an end. I didn’t do much sightseeing, but I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food and felt both my heart and stomach filled. Tomorrow, I’ll be diving into the sights of Saga. Day 2: Friday, February 7th. I took a train early in the morning heading towards Karatsu. Originally, I had planned to rent a car for a scenic drive, but… It was still another cold wave, and with concerns about snow, I decided to switch to a train journey instead. The view from the train window was white in places, almost like a snowstorm. As I gazed at the quiet town blanketed in snow, the train moved steadily forward. When I arrived in Karatsu, I first headed to a unique spot: “Karatsu Burger.” This is a beloved local hamburger shop that has been operating for over 50 years, using a retro microbus to prepare and sell its burgers. It’s a popular place for both locals and tourists alike. I ordered the special burger with cheese, ham, egg, and a patty. The sweet demi-glace sauce brought back a nostalgic taste. Since the snow had stopped, I decided to resume my trip by carshare. It was time to start exploring the natural wonders of Karatsu. Next, I visited Mount Kagami, which stands at 284 meters. At the summit, there’s an observation deck with a breathtaking view of Karatsu Bay. Following that, I made my way to “Nijino Matsubara,” a pine forest stretching along Karatsu Bay, shaped in a large arc. It’s one of Japan’s top three pine groves, also designated as a national scenic spot. The view of the sky, sea, and the pine forest was incredibly beautiful. If the weather had been better, I would have stayed longer, but the strong wind at the summit made me quickly descend. Afterward, I visited Karatsu Castle, also known as “Maizuru Castle,” famous for its cherry blossoms. Normally, you’d climb over 200 steps to reach the main keep, but since the weather was not ideal, I decided to take the cable car. Inside the castle, there were exhibits where you could learn about the region’s history and culture. From the top, you could enjoy another view of Nijino Matsubara and the Genkai Sea… or at least, that’s what I expected. But due to the cloudy skies, it was a bit unclear. I hope to come back on a sunny day. On the way down, I saw posters of anime such as “Yuri!!! on ICE” and “Zombie Land Saga,” both of which feature Karatsu as their setting. Next, I headed to “Hamanoura Terraced Rice Fields,” a beautiful set of rice terraces that spread from the coast into the mountains. There are 283 rice fields arranged like stairs, creating a natural artwork. The best time to visit is in the spring when the fields are flooded with water, and the sunset turns the sea and terraces a brilliant orange. Although it was a different season, the scenery was still very beautiful and enchanting. After finishing sightseeing in Karatsu, I took the train back to Saga. For dinner, I went to “Meal Koyanagi” and tried “Sicilian Rice,” a local specialty of Saga. It’s a simple dish with stir-fried meat and vegetables over rice, topped with a generous amount of mayonnaise. It has a unique flavor that’s both rustic and addictive. This dish was created around 1975 and is loved in many cafes across Saga City. It had a nostalgic, Showa-era feel to it. For dessert, I had “Black Mont Blanc,” an ice cream born in Saga Prefecture. With crunchy peanuts and a chocolate coating, the vanilla ice cream inside is sweet and smooth. It was the perfect end to my day of travel. And so, Day 2 came to a close. Despite the freezing cold, I had enjoyed the natural beauty and history of Karatsu. Day 3: Saturday, February 8th. I checked out of APA Hotel Saga Station Front and hopped on the train heading to Fukuoka/Hakata. The weather was clear and sunny, and I was relieved to see the peaceful blue sky. For lunch, I went to “Hakata Junjou Ramen Shin Shin,” located inside KITTE Hakata, right by Hakata Station. It’s a popular spot, so I waited around 20-30 minutes before getting a seat. Since I was there, I decided to splurge a bit and ordered the “All Toppings Ramen” along with “Half Fried Rice.” It was a slightly indulgent combo. The ramen had a clean, flavorful tonkotsu broth with no unpleasant odor. The thin noodles absorbed the soup perfectly, and I couldn’t stop eating. By the end, I had almost finished the entire bowl of soup. The “Half Fried Rice” was surprisingly hearty for its name. After filling my stomach, I took the train to Dazaifu. The approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is lined with shops where you can enjoy food while walking. I first stopped by “Kaguno Konomi,” where they prepare and serve a chestnut Mont Blanc right in front of you. Inside was soft-serve ice cream, and the Mont Blanc had a very short shelf life—just 5 minutes— so I quickly devoured it. The balance of chestnut flavor and the creamy sweetness of the ice cream made it a delicious treat. Next, I grabbed a “Umegae Mochi,” a local specialty, and headed to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. This shrine is the head shrine of about 12,000 Tenmangu shrines across Japan. and is dedicated to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane. On that day, many people came to pray, although the main shrine was undergoing a 3-year renovation. Instead, the temporary shrine was open to the public. Despite being temporary, it had an impressive design that felt dignified, different from the grand main shrine. In the evening, I returned to Hakata and checked into “Hakata Green Hotel 1st,” where I would stay for the next two nights. The hotel was clean and simple, with easy access from the station. Since dinner was a bit late, I treated myself to dessert first. I went to “Campbell Early” in Amu Plaza Hakata and ordered the “Amaou Parfait Princess,” a parfait made with Fukuoka’s famous Amaou strawberries. There was an even larger version, the “Queen,” but I resisted the temptation. The parfait was beautifully presented, and the balance between the tartness of the strawberries and the creaminess was perfect. It was a must-try for any strawberry lover. That night, I finally indulged in the main dish of the day—Hakata’s famous Mizutaki. I went to “Hakata Mizutaki Hamadaya Ku Ten.” They offer mizutaki courses even for solo diners, which I appreciated. The course included chicken cut into chunks, minced meat, vegetables, and a variety of sides like pork shabu-shabu and fried foods. The chicken broth gradually changed in flavor, and it was fun to taste the different stages of the soup. It was a day filled with sightseeing and fantastic food. Day 4: Sunday, February 9th. On this day, I went to the “Island of Healing.” After about a 20-minute train ride from Hakata Station, I arrived at “Fukuoka Kōdaimae Station.” From there, I took a bus to the ferry terminal, then a ferry for a few minutes to reach… A small island floating in the Genkai Sea—Ainoshima, a famous “cat island” in Fukuoka Prefecture. I came specifically to spend time with the cats on the island. Right after getting off the ferry, a cat approached me as if to say “Welcome.” There were cats everywhere on the island, basking in the sun, cuddling with each other, and staring curiously at me. I had brought some treats and gently petted them, feeling utterly relaxed and healed. Ainoshima is a place where human life and the cats’ way of life naturally blend together, creating a peaceful atmosphere that is therapeutic just by being there. Reluctantly, I boarded the ferry back to the mainland. After taking a bus and train, I returned to Hakata for a late lunch. I went to “Hakata Torikawa Daijin” at KITTE Hakata Station. The crispy, fragrant skin of the “torikawa” (grilled chicken skin) was perfect with beer. They also had juicy pork belly, minced meat, and tomato rolls—perfect for skewer lovers. In the evening, I had planned to go on a “Yatai (street food stall) tour,” but the cold wave was still hitting hard. I ended up staying in and enjoying a warm Italian dinner at “Salvatore Cuomo Ichiba,” located in the hotel. I started with a mozzarella, organic tomato, and basil pizza, followed by a juicy grilled lamb dish. For dessert, I had “Catalana,” a creamy, caramelized treat that melted in my mouth. It was a wonderful restaurant with carefully prepared dishes. It had been a dream of mine for years to visit the cat island. Spending time with the cats and soaking in the peaceful island atmosphere really lightened my heart. It was a day filled with gourmet food, healing, and quiet happiness. On the final day, I took the morning flight back to Tokyo, so there was no major sightseeing to report. This concludes my five-day gourmet trip to Saga and Fukuoka. I hope you enjoyed reading about it! I thoroughly enjoyed both the food, sightseeing, and of course, the cats. I look forward to our next adventure together. Don’t forget to subscribe and give a thumbs up!
福岡の猫島で癒しの時間！？
佐賀牛、博多ラーメン、あまおう食べまくりの旅！
他の旅行動画→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmZFEtQ5tQ31m66bPbZqK_pd4aaDTyNwy
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