Dazaifu & Yanagawa Day Tour: Train, Boat Ride, Local Sweets

Summary

Fukuoka Day Trip: Dazaifu Shrine Visit & Yanagawa River Cruise

If you’re after a day that mixes history with something totally different—a peaceful boat ride through Japan’s “Venice”—this tour is it. You’ll get to visit Dazaifu’s famous shrine (and maybe spot students praying for exam luck), taste fresh umegae-mochi, then float through Yanagawa’s canals while listening to local songs. It’s one of those days that feels both relaxed and full of small discoveries.

What’s the experience like?

We started early from Fukuoka, hopping onto a local train just as the city was waking up. The air outside felt crisp—one of those mornings where you can smell the sweet scent from a nearby bakery mixing with the cool breeze. Our guide, Ms. Akiyama, chatted about Sugawara Michizane’s story as we rode out to Dazaifu. When we arrived, there was already a line of students at the shrine’s entrance, some clutching notebooks for good luck. I noticed tiny ema plaques hanging everywhere—some with wishes scribbled in English, others in neat Japanese script. The plum trees were just starting to bud; a few petals had already drifted onto the stone path.

After wandering through the shrine grounds (don’t miss the little bridge over the pond—it’s said to bring good fortune), we tried umegae-mochi from a street vendor right outside. It was still warm in my hands, with that chewy rice cake texture and sweet bean paste inside. From there, we caught another train toward Yanagawa. The town felt quieter—almost sleepy—with narrow streets and old wooden houses lining the canals. We climbed into a flat-bottomed boat for our river cruise; our boatman wore a straw hat and sang an old folk tune as he pushed us along with his pole. You could hear ducks splashing nearby and see colorful sagemon decorations swaying above some doorways (they only appear during festival season). The water reflected everything—the sky, willow branches, even our own faces if you looked down long enough.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dazaifu and Yanagawa Tour

• Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
• Enjoy Yanagawa River Cruise

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes! Kids can join and strollers are fine on public transport and at most stops. Just note that infants need to sit on an adult’s lap during the boat ride.

When is the best time to see the sagemon decorations in Yanagawa?

The sagemon festival runs from February 11 to April 3 each year—if you visit then, you’ll see colorful cloth ornaments hanging all over town.

Are meals included on this tour?

No full meals are included, but you do get to try umegae-mochi (a sweet rice cake) at Dazaifu. There are plenty of food stalls and cafés near both main stops if you want more.

What’s included

Your day includes all train tickets between Fukuoka, Dazaifu, and Yanagawa; your river cruise ticket; an English-speaking guide who knows local stories; plus a fresh umegae-mochi treat at Dazaifu Shrine.