If you’re looking for the best mentaiko rice bowl in Fukuoka, Japan, Ganso Hakata Mentaiju is one of the city’s most famous picks. Here’s what the wait was like, what we ordered, and whether the signature mentaiko rice bowl and tsukemen were actually worth it.
I booked this Hakata hotel in a rush for a last-minute summer trip to Fukuoka, and thankfully it turned out to be a great choice. If you want a clean, compact, well-located stay near Hakata Station with thoughtful amenities, this one is worth a look.
Looking for a well-located Umeda hotel in Osaka that won’t wreck your budget? This stay at Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka checked all the boxes for me: easy station access, a comfortable room, and a free public bath that felt amazing after long days on foot.
This was my very first meal in Fukuoka, and I went straight for one of the city’s most famous specialties: motsunabe at Ooyama in KITTE Hakata. From the horse sashimi platter to the rich, bubbling hot pot, it was a satisfying first taste of Fukuoka—especially with zero wait at 3:30 p.m.
Looking for the best sweets in Dotonbori, Osaka? These two takeout dessert spots—Strawberry Mania and Lord Stow’s—were standouts on my trip, from fresh strawberry cupcakes to flaky, creamy egg tarts.
Need a cheap place to leave your bags near Nankai Namba Station in Osaka? I found a super convenient luggage storage spot called Okiraku that charges just 500 yen per item and is perfect if you’re taking the Rapi:t later in the day.