I drove to the Silo Observatory in October, and the view here was incredibly expansive. The entire surface of Lake Toya and the islands in the middle were all visible at a glance. When you take photos next to the large “TOYA” sign, the spectacular lake and mountains are right behind you. You can also occasionally see sightseeing helicopters flying overhead, which makes for a magnificent sight.
After leaving the observatory, it was only a short drive to nearby Lake Hill Farm. There’s a vast green lawn here, with beautiful Mt. Yotei visible in the distance. There were even cute little white sheep grazing with their heads down, creating a very relaxing atmosphere.
The farm’s ice cream shop is in a small wooden building surrounded by autumn trees, giving it a warm, country feel. I ordered a rich soft-serve ice cream and slowly enjoyed it outside while taking in the expansive scenery. It was the perfect way to relax and enjoy a slower pace.
Silo Observatory | Review by Jk
Other Reviews by Jk
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Fukuoka Airport
Fukuoka Airport is located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, and is known for its exceptional access to the city center-just about 5 minutes by subway to Hakata Station and around 11 minutes to Tenjin. Its convenience makes it a major gateway for both tourism and business travel.
The moment you step out of Fukuoka Airport, you'll be amazed by its unbelievably convenient location! It is definitely one of the most accessible international airports in Japan, or even all of Asia, and one of the closest to the city center. After landing and picking up your luggage, there’s no need to drag your large suitcase onto a train for an hour or two. Just take the free shuttle bus to the domestic terminal, hop on the Fukuoka City Subway, and in only two stops and five minutes, you’ll arrive right in the heart of the Hakata Station shopping district. You can even get to Tenjin to shop and eat ramen in under ten minutes! That incredibly fast transition from taxiing on the runway one moment to raising a glass in a downtown izakaya the next is so convenient and satisfying that it’s genuinely moving!
Besides its unbeatable transportation links to the city, Fukuoka Airport itself is also the ultimate base for one last major round of shopping, eating, and drinking before heading home! After its recent renovation, the domestic terminal feels just like a huge food-focused department store. The biggest attraction is the extremely popular “Ramen Runway,” which brings together top ramen shops from across Kyushu. Before boarding your flight, you can always satisfy your craving with another steaming bowl of authentic, rich tonkotsu ramen. The souvenir area is packed with options, from freshly baked crispy croissants and classic mentaiko to Hakata Torimon cakes and all kinds of Kyushu-exclusive sweets. It’s lively and so much fun to explore! Up on the outdoor observation deck, you can enjoy the cool breeze while watching huge passenger planes from major airlines frequently take off and land up close. The powerful roar of the engines, paired with the expansive Fukuoka skyline, brings the entire Kyushu trip to the most perfect conclusion! -
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ICHIRAN Souhonten -Headshop & Office-
Located within the headquarters of Ichiran, this is the main store of the renowned ramen chain which is not only present all over Japan, but also overseas, in places like New York, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Among the many famous tonkotsu ramen shops in Fukuoka, Ichiran is particularly popular.
Next to the canal in Nakasu, Hakata, Fukuoka, you can spot this incredible landmark covered in large red lanterns from far away. This is the sacred destination for countless ramen lovers across Japan—ICHIRAN's Main Shop! The entire dedicated building has an impressive presence. At night, rows of large red lanterns light up, reflecting against the canal streetscape and creating a bold and festive sight. As ICHIRAN's global headquarters, it has the signature "Flavor Concentration Booths" everyone knows, where you can focus entirely on savoring the ultimate combination of rich tonkotsu broth, smooth noodles, and secret spicy sauce. The first floor also features the extremely rare "ICHIRAN Yatai" space, where the lively, cheerful izakaya atmosphere lets you slurp noodles while gulping down ice-cold drinks—the satisfaction level is maxed out!
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Hakodate Station
Hakodate Station's commercial zone was renovated in 2016 with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. On the first floor is the "Hokkaido Shikisaikan JR Hakodate Store" offering a variety of local specialties and products, while the second floor features restaurants and an observation deck called the "Rotunda Deck" where visitors can take pictures of trains arriving and departing on the platforms.
This major station, the gateway to southern Hokkaido, has a sleek, modern exterior. The spacious, bright lobby gets plenty of natural light, and the layout is incredibly clean and efficient. Whether you've just arrived by limited express train and are ready to begin your adventure, or you're planning to take the streetcar to the slopes of Motomachi and then Mount Hakodate for the night view, this is the perfect starting point for the entire trip, making you feel both at ease and excited.
The wide, flat, curved plaza in front of the station has an incredibly expansive view. On clear days, you can look up and see blue skies, white clouds, and distant mountains. There's even a faint hint of the fresh, salty sea air unique to this port city, and just taking a deep breath feels refreshing!
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