Fukue
Arlenys Almonte, Fukue
When people think of an island, they probably think there’s not much to do, but on Fukue Island there’s a plethora of things to see and enjoy. I would like to introduce a few of them in hopes that if you go to Fukue, you can visit these places!
Yumenoeki
If you love thrift shopping, you’re in luck! Yume No Eki transformed an abandoned school into a place where locals can shop for a variety of used, affordable, good quality items. When I go to Yume No Eki, I always find gems. The first floor is full of everyday items, and on the second floor there’s a huge collection of used tableware ranging from western to japanese.
Hungry? No worries! This place also serves amazing food like hamburgers and gyudon. There’s also dessert options! The owners are very nice and welcoming and are always happy to see new faces. Last time I came here, I found a really cute pink skirt for only 300 yen!
Whole room is full of used tableware! So many options to choose from! The price ranges from 100-800 yen.
Nizo Yamamoto Museum
Nizo Yamamoto Museum is a must-visit place when you come to Fukue Island, especially if you’re a Studio Ghibli fan! Nizo Yamamoto, who was born and raised in Fukue, was an art director for Studio Ghibli classics such as Castle in the Sky, Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. He was also the art director for the movie Girl Who Leapt Through Time. The museum is in a renovated samurai residence which was built in 1863. They also sell his art books and souvenirs.
I’ve been here two times already, and I love it so much! Since I’m such a huge fan of Studio Ghibli, I love coming here. The museum does have a strict no camera policy, so please be careful. There are two rooms where you can take photos though, and there are signs to indicate that.
More information about the museum can be found on their website: https://www.goto-yamamoto-
This is one of the rooms where you can take photos! Here it shows his workplace and a video on how he paints clouds.
Mt. Onidake
Mt. Onidake is the most famous mountain on the island. This mountain was a volcano, and erupted 18,000 years ago! I recommend coming here to watch the sunset and have a bento. Stargazing at the summit is a lot of fun too! I went sledding down the mountainside once when it snowed with two other ALTS, and it was really exhilarating! One interesting thing about this mountain is that it’s green and beautiful all year round.
Sunset on Mt. Onidake!
You can see Fukue city from the top of Mt. Onidake.
Gyogasaki Park
One of the first places I went to when I arrived in Fukue last year was Gyogasaki Park! This park’s sunflower field is so beautiful in the summer. There’s also a cafe that’s open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The cafe has really delicious food and ice cream. I recommend getting the famous Goto udon and then finishing it off with some delicious vanilla ice cream.
Goto Udon
カフェじゃろなんじゃろ (Cafe Jaronanjaro)
Fukue island has an abundance of cafes! I’ve still only been to a handful so far. The one the left the best impression on me is カフェじゃろなんじゃろ. This cafe is in the countryside and it’s a 30 minute drive from the main city, but it’s definitely worth it. The food is amazing, and the people working there are really nice and welcoming. It’s quiet and a good place to chill by yourself or to hang out with your friends.
The curry and salad were both so good!
If you love coffee, this cafe is a must-visit!
I hope you get a chance to visit Fukue island and explore the hidden gems of this place! And if you do visit make sure to stop by these places and check them out.
