日本夏2026年

June 18, 2026

Day 20 Kitakyushu to Fukuoka - 83Km

Start 7:19

Finish 2:58

Total Duration 7:39

Moving Time 4:45

Stopped Time 2:53

Ascent 685m

Descent 709m

Tour Total 2131Km

Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/391323599

I slept well just off the walking path in Norimatsu Ichigo Park, outside Kitakyushu. As expected, the crows began their morning chorus early, joined by the soft rhythm of joggers and walkers passing nearby. I packed up, returned to the restroom to top off my phone while shaving, and then rode to Lawson for a café latte and a baked chocolate bread.

There was a 45% chance of rain, but the morning was simply cloudy and warm. I was back in a clean shirt and fresh socks—always a small luxury on the road. A few kilometers in, I rode into Nakama and began following the Onga River as the countryside gradually took shape.

Soon I joined the Ongagawa River Cycling Course, a beautifully maintained bike path winding through the river basin. A warning sign for wild boar caught my attention. The path stretched for about 20 kilometers and was a joy to ride—shared with cyclists, runners, and walkers, including one man making his way backward down the path.

In Iizuka, I left the bike route and reentered traffic, heading toward the mountains now rising ahead. I stopped at a FamilyMart for a grapefruit drink before the climb. Not long after, I realized I couldn’t clip into my right pedal. A small pebble had lodged itself in the cleat—once removed, I was back in business.

The climb was steep but blissfully quiet, as most traffic stayed on Route 201. After a steady ascent, I reached the crest and descended briefly before rejoining Route 201 for another climb into Sasaguri.

There, I visited Nanzoin Temple, home to the massive reclining Buddha (Shaka Nehanzō)—the largest bronze statue of its kind in the world, stretching 41 meters long, 11 meters high, and weighing around 300 tons. Alongside the usual charms and amulets were more creative ways to part visitors from their coins: a dart game (which cost me 200 yen) and fortunes revealed with invisible ink in water. There was also a strict dress code—shorts had to extend below the knees, so I awkwardly tugged mine down to comply.

Leaving the temple, I endured heavy traffic along Route 201 before turning onto Route 607, using Google Maps to navigate toward Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The sun had come out, and the heat returned. I stopped at another FamilyMart to apply sunscreen and grab yet another grapefruit drink.

Route 35 was rough—heavy truck traffic, minimal shoulder, and overgrown sidewalks made for sketchy riding. Eventually, I reached Dazaifu Tenmangu. Inside, enormous camphor trees towered over the grounds, which were bustling with tourists, many dressed in kimono and geta. Outside, the approach was lined with crowded stalls. I stopped for lunch at Umenokura, enjoying a bowl of udon near the station.

From there, I booked a hotel in Hakata and rode into Fukuoka. Along the way, I passed the stately Royal Chester Fukuoka building with its classical Corinthian columns, and the Asahi brewery. After checking in, I showered and did laundry.

In the evening, I visited Kushida Shrine and wandered the city. Fukuoka is strict about bicycle parking, so I left my bike in a designated lot before heading to the Naka River. At a yatai called Tacchan, I enjoyed grilled chicken and fish, washed down with a cold draft beer—a perfect end to the day.