Karatsu and Yobuko (Squid ikizukuri) is a food day trips in Fukuoka.
Yobuko in Saga prefecture is the canonical Genkai squid town, 75 minutes from Hakata. Live-tank ikizukuri at Kawataro and the Manbo underwater restaurant.
Tip: Drive from Fukuoka for flexibility; bus from Karatsu Station to Yobuko takes thirty minutes.
Munakata sits on the Genkai coast east of Fukuoka. Mihara fishing port runs morning auctions and a row of seafood restaurants that serve the day's catch.
Tip: Combine with Munakata Taisha shrine. Train to Akama, then bus to the port.
Higashi-ku east of Hakata holds the two mentaiko factory floors: Fukuya's renovated Aji no Mentaiko Factory and Yamaya's Factory Terrace, both with buffets.
Tip: Combine both factories in a half-day. Take the JR Kagoshima Honsen east from Hakata.
Nokonoshima is the close-by island ferry trip from Fukuoka Meinohama Pier. A small cluster of beachside cafes, summer barbecue spots and a flower park.
Tip: Bring change for the ferry. Cafes cluster at the south end of the island.
Dazaifu is the Tenmangu shrine pilgrimage town, thirty minutes south of Tenjin. Kasanoya's umegae mochi has been the souvenir on the road since 1922.
Tip: Nishitetsu from Tenjin. Walk Saifu-dori from the station; Kasanoya is five minutes from the gate.
Itoshima sits west of Fukuoka with a coastline of oyster huts in winter and beachside cafes through the summer. Winter oysters from October to March.
Tip: Drive or rent a car for the oyster-hut belt. Train to Chikuzen-Maebaru, then taxi.
Yanagawa is the canal-boat town an hour south of Fukuoka by Nishitetsu line. Wakamatsuya has served unagi no seiromushi steamed eel rice since the 1860s.
Tip: Combine river boat plus Wakamatsuya lunch. Reserve via Tabelog before midday on weekends.