Guide to Visiting Sakurai Futamigaura ( + How to Get There)

During my last Fukuoka visit, I took a day trip to Sakurai Futamigaura’s Couple Stones, a popular scenic spot in Itoshima City.

Though it’s a bit outside of Fukuoka City using public transit, I enjoyed visiting.

Here’s everything you need to know including what to do there, tips before you visit, nearby attractions, and how to get to Sakurai Futamigaura.

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What’s Special About Sakurai Futamigaura?

Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones, Fukuoka, Japan: A picturesque beach scene featuring a white torii gate and the famous Meoto Iwa (Couple Stones) connected by a sacred rope, set against a blue sea and sky.

The thing that stands out most is the large white torii gate in the middle of the sea.

Behind the torii gate is the Futamigaura, or couple rocks, symbolizing marital unity. The rocks are connected by a sacred Shinto rope, or shimenawa.

Beyond being a scenic and peaceful site to see, couples often visit to celebrate and strengthen their bond.

Sakurai Futamigaura is also considered one of Japan’s top sunset spots.

Recommended Route

Since it’s a bit far from Fukuoka city with infrequent buses, I wish I had joined a tour that combined nearby attractions like the Keya no Oto sea cave.

Next time I’d do this tour:

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Torii gates Sakurai Futamigaura Itoshima Japan: "White torii gate on the beach at Sakurai Futamigaura, Itoshima, Japan, framing the Couple Stones connected by a Shinto rope in the background, with ocean waves and rocky shore in the foreground."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Day Trip from Fukuoka

📍Sakurai Futamigaura
📍Shiraito Falls
📍Keya no Ohto + more

BOOK IT

Things to Do at Sakurai Futamigaura

1. Futamigaura Couple Rock

An iconic feature of Sakurai Futamigaura is the Futamigaura Couple Rock behind the white torii gate.

These are two large rocks standing in the sea, connected by a sacred Shinto rope.

Most people visit to take a photo in front of the torii gate and rocks.

Shinto rope - Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones Fukuoka Itoshima Japan: "Close-up view of Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones in Fukuoka, Itoshima, Japan, connected by a Shinto rope, with the rocky beach and ocean waves in the foreground."

2. Enjoy the Beaches

You can sit on the sand or walk along the beach in the same area as the couples stones.

Palm Beach is also a few minutes walk away.

When I went I sat on the sand as well as on the cement benches along the sidewalks overlooking the sea.

Sakurai Futamigaura Itoshima Japan beach area: "View of a rocky beach area in Sakurai Futamigaura, Itoshima, Japan, with the ocean waves crashing against the rocks and a green hillside in the background."

3. Fukuoka City Limits

Visit and take a photo of the Fukuoka City limits sign indicating the entrance into Itoshima City, which is shown on the other side.

Be in two places at once!

Welcome to Fukuoka sign Sakurai Futamigaura Itoshima Japan: "A sign reading 'Fukuoka City' in Japanese and English, located by the roadside in Sakurai Futamigaura, Itoshima, Japan, with greenery, a winding road, and people walking nearby."

4. Cafes and Vendors

There are nearby cafes and restaurants to check out. They do have limited hours during the weekdays though.

There were a few vendors on the sidewalk selling food and snacks like roasted sweet potato.

If you plan to stay a bit, check hours in advance or bring your own snacks.

Sakurai Futamigaura beach path Fukuoka Itoshima Japan: "A beach path in Sakurai Futamigaura, Itoshima, Japan, with a railing on the right, sandy beach, rocky shore, and green hills in the distance."

5. Sunsets

Sakurai Futamigaura is famous for its sunsets, and apparently has one of the best sunsets in Japan.

I wish I stayed longer if I had planned better.

Tips for Visiting Sakurai Futamigaura

Roseanne at Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones Itoshima Japan: "A person walking towards the Sakurai Futamigaura's Couple Stones, a Shinto shrine gate on the beach, with rocky terrain and ocean waves in the background."

Buses generally come once an hour so you definitely have to time your visit.
Bring snacks with you just in case! There are no nearby convenience stores and the nearby restaurants may be closed.
Within walking distance is Palm Beach and photo spots within the area.
There’s usually a short line to take a photo but it goes by fast.
If you want to visit nearby locations, take short taxis, hire a driver or join a tour. Otherwise, definitely plan ahead around the bus schedules.

How to Get to Sakurai Futamigaura

There’s multiple ways to get to Sakurai Futamigaura.

While there’s no nearby train stations, there are buses that stop right across the street.

During the bus rides, you’ll see nice views of local towns, sea views, green hills, and traditional houses.

1. By Bus Only

View on bus going to Sakurai Futamigaura Fukuoka Japan: "Scenic view of a calm bay with rocky shoreline and green hills in the background, seen from a bus on the way to Sakurai Futamigaura, Fukuoka, Japan."

There’s a direct express bus that stops at Sakurai Futamigaura. I took this going back to Fukuoka, but should have taken it going there.

Name: West Coast Liner

Departure point: Hakata Bus Terminal or Tenjin 4-chome bus stop.

Duration: About 1 hour

Cost: 1,150 yen ($7.70 USD). You can pay with your Suica card.

Check the schedule on Navitime. In the morning it comes every 30 minutes, but then goes to once every hour after a certain time.

2. By Train and Bus

This is the route I took going there, which wasn’t complicated but a direct bus is always best and both were around the same cost.

Directions:

Take the JR Chikuhi Line from Hakata or Tenjin station to Kyūdai-Gakkentoshi Station (about 20 minutes).
Right outside Imajuku Station to the left are buses. Take the local bus 5B-2. There’s usually a line. Show the map to the driver or ask someone in line if you are not sure.
The bus will take 30 minutes and stop right across the street in front of Sakurai Futamigaura.

Imajuku Station bus going to Sakurai Futamigaura Fukuoka Japan: "Passengers waiting to board a bus at Imajuku Station, Fukuoka, Japan, with the bus in the background and a modern cityscape visible."

3. By Car or Taxi

Time: Approximately 40 minutes.
Taxi may cost around 5,000-6,000 yen, but you can also hire a driver to take you to other stops too.

4. Part of a Tour

This is what I wish I had done, though I still had a nice adventure taking the local buses.

This is the only day tour I found online that includes Sakurai Futamigaura:

Sakurai Futamigaura’s + Shiraito Falls + Keya no Ohto (8am-4:30pm)

Getting Back to Fukuoka

To go back to Fukuoka City, go to the bus stop right in front on the sidewalk closest to Sakurai Futamigaura.

You’ll see this bus pole. The local and express buses will stop here.

Bus stop schedule from Itoshima Japan to Fukuoka Itoshima Japan: "A bus stop sign with detailed schedules, including times for various days of the week, written in Japanese and English."

Schedule going back to Fukuoka City:

Check Navitime for a complete schedule.

Bus schedule from Itoshima Japan to Fukuoka Itoshima Japan: "A bus schedule displaying departure times from Itoshima to Fukuoka, organized by weekday, Saturday, and holiday timings in both Japanese and English. It includes routes bound for Tenjin and Hakata, and details about changing at Kyudai Gakkentoshi Station for JR Chikuhi Line."

Nearby Attractions to Sakurai Futamigaura

It’s possible to visit nearby attractions via bus and short taxi rides, though not the most convenient since buses are not frequent.

This Fukuoka day tour stops at most the attractions mentioned below.

Itoshima’s Totoro Forest

Distance from Sakurai Futamigaura: 20-minute drive

Itoshima’s Totoro Forest is reminiscent of the enchanting forests from Studio Ghibli’s film “My Neighbor Totoro” thus the name. There’s green forest trails to explore plus Totoro-themed decorations.

Keya no Oto

Distance from Sakurai Futamigaura: 20-minute drive

Keya no Oto is a sea cave with basalt columns, and you can take a boat into the cave’s interior. Nearby is Keya Beach too.

Sakurai Shrine

Distance from Sakurai Futamigaura: 15-minute drive

Sakurai Shrine is what the Sakurai Futamigaura is supposedly named after. It’s surrounded by greenery, free to enter, and is open 24/7.

Itoshima City

Distance from Sakurai Futamigaura: 25-minute drive

Go into Itoshima city and explore the cafes and local craft shops.

Palm Tree Swing

Distance from Sakurai Futamigaura: 10-minute drive

The Palm Tree Swing is a popular Instagram spot featuring swings between two palm trees on a scenic beach.

There’s other photo-op art installations too like a neon pink door in the middle of the sand and a white staircase overlooking the sea.

The tour I mentioned stops here too.

Is Visiting Sakurai Futamigaura Worth It?

The white torii gates and couples rock in the sea was like an aesthetic dream out of a movie, and is probably even more beautiful during sunset hours.

While it can be a very quick trip, you can take your time relaxing on the beach.

If I had planned better I would have taken a day tour, or see which sites I could walk to and schedule them around bus schedules, plus pack some snacks to last me longer!

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