[Okawa City Day Trip] Stunning Views and Woodworking Experience! Introducing Must-See Sightseeing Spots and Recommended Gourmet Food

Hello. I'm YOKO, a travel and food writer.

As a travel writer with 29 years of experience, I'd like to suggest a day trip route that you can easily take from Fukuoka. This time, I'll be introducing the Okawa City area, known as Japan's number one furniture production area.

Lunch course at vinegar restaurant ♪ "Su RISTORANTE SHOUBUN"

Exit the Kyushu Expressway at Yame IC and drive for about 30 minutes, enjoying the tranquil scenery of the Chikugo Plain, to arrive at Shobunsu, which was founded in 1711.

This vinegar is made using the traditional "static fermentation method," passed down from father to son. It is characterized by its mellow acidity, which is achieved by taking the time and effort required for fermentation and aging.

The restaurant we were looking for, Su RISTORANTE SHOUBUN, is located on the second floor of the Shobunsu building.

Image: Vinegar RISTORANTE SHOUBUN

It's a modern and bright space that makes the most of the traditional storehouse. In fact, this storehouse is 270 years old and is a designated cultural asset of Okawa City.

The warmth of the wood and the tranquility that only a vinegar storehouse can offer are very comfortable, making it the perfect place to start a day trip.

Image: Vinegar RISTORANTE SHOUBUN

In fact, this place was just renovated in September 2025. With the aim of allowing more people to experience the charm of traditional fermented vinegar, it has been reborn as a "fermented gastronomy experience that stimulates all five senses."

Image: Vinegar RISTORANTE SHOUBUN

There are three new lunch courses.

There are three courses: "Course A" (2,850 yen), where you can choose between a meat or fish main dish; "Course B" (3,500 yen), which includes both a meat and a fish main dish; and "Course C" (5,000 yen), a chef's special course that uses carefully selected ingredients and tableware.

The time slots are alternating, with the first part starting at 11:30 and the second part starting at 1:30.

The mild acidity brings out the flavor of the ingredients, making it delicious! I was able to fully enjoy the appeal of vinegar.

After your meal, head to the adjacent shop on the first floor to look for souvenirs. There's a wide variety of products on display, including the popular "Umasu 300ml" (from 518 yen), a vinegar seasoning that makes vegetables taste delicious. You can also enjoy tasting fruit vinegars.

<Store Information>
■ Vinegar RISTORANTE SHOUBUN
Address: 548 Enokizu, Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Opening hours: [Restaurant] Part 1 from 11:30, Part 2 from 13:30 (last orders 14:00) *Reservations recommended [Store] 9:00-17:00
Closed: Sundays and Mondays (may change if Monday is a public holiday) *The shop on the first floor is open except for the New Year holidays
HP:https://shoubun.jp/
Instagram:＠vinegar_ristorante_shoubun

Okawa Terrazza: A comprehensive hub for Okawa tourism and interior design information

Once you've filled your stomach with a delicious lunch, drive about 10 minutes to Okawa City's tourism and interior information center, Okawa Terrazza. It's located at the foot of the Chikugo River Lift Bridge, which we'll introduce later.

There is a "furniture concierge" on-site who will provide you with a wide range of information, including the appeal of Okawa furniture, the craftsmanship of the artisans, information on the furniture store that's perfect for you, and even local attractions.

Image: Okawa TERRAZZA

At the cafe corner, you can get takeout drinks made with Amaou strawberries (from 432 yen), coffee (from 486 yen), soft serve ice cream (378 yen), and more.

Image: Okawa TERRAZZA

What's great is that you can experience woodworking such as "Okawa Kumiko" and "small chairs" in the workshop space at any time!

The "Okawa Kumiko" is 1,700 yen, and the "Small Chair" is 2,000 yen. Creating a one-of-a-kind piece will surely make your travel memories even more special.

Image: Okawa TERRAZZA

The souvenir corner sells Okawa's specialty products, woodworking products made by artisans, and woodworking kits.

Image: Okawa TERRAZZA

You can see, make, taste, and experience all the charm of Okawa!

<Store Information>
■Okawa TERRAZZA
Address: 2525-2 Mukojima, Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
HP:https://www.okawa-kk.com/
Instagram:@okawaterrazza

Walk in the river breeze! The photogenic Chikugo River Lift Bridge

Right in front of Okawa Terrazza is the Chikugo River Lift Bridge. It is a movable iron bridge that opened in 1935 and is still in operation today, making it a valuable presence. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the sight of its red steel frame shining against the blue sky and Chikugo River is one of the iconic sights of Okawa and Saga.

The sunset, when the sky, river, and bridge are all dyed orange, is a beautiful sight that must not be missed.

Image: Chikugo River Lift Bridge

As you slowly cross the pedestrian-only bridge, the breeze blowing across the river feels so refreshing that it resets your mind.

If you can time it right when the bridge slowly rises and falls, you'll be lucky! The opening and closing times change depending on the traffic of ships and the requests of passersby. It mainly operates at the request of passersby, so be sure to ask the operator on the bridge.

By the way, it takes 5 minutes to raise it all the way up. When it is open to passersby, it is usually stopped after 2 or 3 minutes. It is raised a maximum of 8 times a day.

Photo courtesy of Fukuoka Tourism Federation

It is also lit up from sunset until 10pm.

*Pets are not permitted.

<Facility information>
■ Chikugo River Lift Bridge
Address: Mukojima, Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture; Tameshige, Morodomi Town, Saga City, Saga Prefecture
Operating hours: 9:00-16:30
Opening hours: [March to November] 9:00 to 21:00 [December to February] 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), December 29th to January 3rd
HP:https://www.shoukaikyou.com/

OASIS CAFE: A relaxing space filled with greenery

If you're looking to explore the interior shops scattered around Okawa, you should also visit Crash Gate Fukuoka Okawa Main Store, a shop run by Seki Furniture, a popular interior brand.

Image: Crash Gate Fukuoka Okawa Main Store

There is a wide variety of stylish furniture on display and for sale, and just looking at it can be a great inspiration for your own interior design.

Image: Crash Gate Fukuoka Okawa Main Store

Our destination is the OASIS CAFE on the first floor. Surrounded by ornamental plants reaching up to the ceiling, you can spend a relaxing time in an oasis. The terrace seating in the courtyard is also open to pets.

Image: OASIS CAFE

There is also a green shop on the premises, where you won't want to miss the wide variety of plants on sale.

Image: OASIS GREEN SHOP

The menu is full of food made with local ingredients, specialty coffee, and sweets. The fragrant "OASIS Irodori Curry" (1,250 yen) made with 10 kinds of spices, minced meat, and coconut, sandwiches such as "Hakata Jidori Chicken Banh Mi" (1,000 yen), and pasta dishes such as "Mushroom and Homemade Bacon Cream Pasta" (1,350 yen) make it the perfect lunch spot.

Sweets and drinks such as the "Fluffy Chiffon Cake Made with Free-Range Eggs" (500 yen) shown in the photo are available for takeout. They are also recommended as a snack to accompany you on a drive.

Image: OASIS CAFE

＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■OASIS CAFE
Address: 170-4 Hataho, Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00-18:00 (Last orders for food 17:00, last orders for drinks 17:30)
Closed: None

100% spring water flowing directly from the source! Moor spring water for beautiful skin "Okawa Onsen Kihada Bijin Midori no Yu"

At the end of your trip, head to the day spa "Okawa Onsen Kihada Bijin Midori no Yu."

Photo: Okawa Onsen, Precious Skin Beauty, Green Bath

You can enjoy 100% natural, plant-derived "moor spring" water.

The pale green water, rich in sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), fulvic acid, and metasilicic acid, is thick and soft, and has a reputation for being "beautiful skin bath." After bathing, your skin will be so smooth you'll want to touch it.

Photo: Okawa Onsen, Precious Skin Beauty, Green Bath

In addition to indoor and outdoor baths, there is also a mist sauna (steam bath), a cold spring bath, and six private family baths.

Photo: Okawa Onsen, Precious Skin Beauty, Green Bath

Relax in the bathtub and take a deep breath. This is the perfect way to end your Okawa road trip!

<Store Information>
■Okawa Onsen Precious Skin Beauty Green Bath
Address: 241-1 Chuhachiin, Okawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00-22:00 (last admission for the large bath 21:30, for the private bath 21:00)
Closed: Tuesdays (open on public holidays and the 26th) + irregular holidays
Bathing fee: 800 yen for junior high school students and above, 450 yen for elementary school students, 100 yen for children aged 3 to preschool, 1,200 yen for 60 minutes of private bath (bathing fee separate)
HP:https://okawaonsen.com/

Be sure to visit Okawa to fully enjoy its charms. (Text by YOKO)

*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax.
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