Relax by the Sea and Savor Wakamatsu’s Best

Sea, Hot Springs & Local Flavors: A Coastal Escape Course

The Wakamatsu North Coast is the perfect summer getaway, offering pristine beaches, fresh seafood, scenic farmland, and stunning seaside hot springs. Whether you explore it all in one day or stay overnight, this coastal area invites you to enjoy nature, flavors, and unforgettable ocean views.

Duration : Full day

Transportation : Car & Walking

📍Places to visit on this course

  1. Iwaya Beach

  2. Kaneyasu Ryokan Restaurant

  3. Tanaka Farm Soft Serve Stand

  4. Kamenoi Hotel Genkainada (Hot Spring)

  5. Tōmigahana Cape

🚩START!

Kyushu Expressway – Kurate IC

By car (30 minutes)

⇩

🚗

1. Iwaya Beach

🏖️ A White-Sand Beach Stretching 1.5 km

Surrounded by the Hibikinada Sea, Genkai Sea, and Dokai Bay, the Wakamatsu North Coast offers some of the region’s most breathtaking coastal landscapes. Its fine white sand and beautiful sunsets attract visitors year-round, and water sports shops are nearby. In summer, the beach is lively with seaside stalls and swimmers.

📍 Basic Info

On foot (5 minutes)

⇩

🚶‍♀️

2. Ryokan Kaneyasu

🍤 Savor Fresh Squid & Seasonal Seafood with an Ocean View

Established in 1928, this long-loved coastal ryokan is famous for its dishes made with fresh seafood brought to the nearby Iwaya Fishing Port. From luxurious courses featuring abalone and tiger pufferfish to casual lunch options, the menu suits every appetite. The most popular dish is the live squid sashimi course (Feb–Nov, market price), served in private rooms overlooking the sea.

📍 Basic Info

By car (2 minutes)

⇩

🚗

🍦 Seasonal Soft Serve Available Only April–November

3. Tanaka Farm

Operated by a long-running local farm, this small weekend-only shop serves house-made soft ice cream featuring seasonal ingredients like blueberries, watermelon, and sweet potatoes. The flavors change throughout the year. Their October–November “Extra Rich Pumpkin Mont Blanc Soft Serve” (limited quantity) is especially popular.

📍 Basic Info

By car (6 minutes)

⇩

🚗

4. TOFU Factory TSURUGA

🍨 Tofu Sweets That Redefine Healthy Indulgence

Although the stylish exterior resembles a café, this shop is a long-established tofu maker founded in 1954.
The third-generation owner refreshed the brand’s design more than 10 years ago, creating a modern, elegant look.
Try popular items such as the Soy Milk Kinako Warabi Sundae or Tofu Milk Soft-Serve.
It’s a perfect place to enjoy deliciously light and healthy treats.

📍 Basic Info

Pick Up!

Try Hand-Building or the Pottery Wheel!

Hand-building uses 1 kg of clay—enough to make around three small items.
The electric wheel comes with 2.5 kg of clay, so your creativity (and skill!) determines the outcome.

Pottery experience reservations (external link)

⇩

By car (2 minutes)

🚗

Kitakyushu Urban Expressway – Kokura Station North IC

🏁GOAL!

  • A bowl of udon noodle soup topped with green onions, tempura, beef, and a fish cake, served alongside onigiri rice balls wrapped in seaweed.
  • A modern building with glass doors and windows, decorated with flags and signs, including a cartoon tiger mascot wearing a white hat and cape, outdoors on a sunny day with trees in the background.
  • A dessert served in a tall glass with various toppings like fruit, beans, and cookies, viewed on a tray with a blurred background.
  • Young girl dressed in traditional Japanese attire hitting a large taiko drum during a cultural festival.