Published date: February 17, 2025
Hakata Trip: Itoshima, Hakata Bay - Islands
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
It was very easy to move around since it is close to Hakata Station! The entrance was a bit tricky to find, but if you come straight with your back to the KITTE building at Hakata Station and turn left at the 7-Eleven, you will see a large sign for 9h.
The 9th floor is where the front desk is located, and from there, the elevators are separated by gender, allowing for a comfortable stay without any chance of encountering men. The 8th floor has locker and shower rooms, and the 5th and 6th floors are bedroom areas, all of which were well-designed. I appreciated that I didn't have to hear the sound of bags opening while I was sleeping.
The entire facility is new and very clean, which was nice!
It was a very crowded day when I went, but the shower line from 11 AM to 12 PM was especially long. However, after 12 PM, there were hardly any people, so I was able to take a shower leisurely. It might be better to adjust your shower time. I tried the shower that was said to have warmth like bathing, and it was indeed very warm. I was a bit worried about the cold winter day, but I warmed up nicely.
The shampoo and conditioner in the shower room had a lovely scent and made my hair very smooth, which I liked!
The sleeping area consists of capsules that are genuinely just for sleeping, but they were hygienic and fine. It's advisable to bring a multi-port charger, as there was only one outlet, so some ingenuity is required for multiple charges. Moreover, there's an outlet above your head, so if you use a short cord, it may hang awkwardly. A longer cord would be better.
The space for belongings is limited to small shelves on either side, so it's better to only bring in what you need for sleeping. Also, as someone who gets cold easily, I found it a bit chilly. I recommend bringing a jacket or something to adjust your body temperature.
I didn't mind snoring during my sleep, but I found that wearing earplugs allowed for better rest, so having soft earplugs could be a good idea.
There were long lines for washing faces in the morning as well. The shower room was available, so it might be better to take a shower instead.
The 9th floor lounge space is a nice area where everyone can work on their laptops or enjoy a drink freely. There are also semi-private desk spaces, so I saw people working or studying there.
I stayed for two nights, and it was comfortable. On the first day, I felt a bit cold in the 5th floor sleeping area, so going back to the 8th floor for a jacket was somewhat bothersome. Knowing this beforehand might help someone else, so I wanted to share my experience.
Experiences during the trip
I rented a car and went toward Itoshima. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Itoshima, so half a day with a rental car was plenty of time. I took many great pictures as I could ride a swing facing the sea and there were places reminiscent of Doraemon's anywhere door, making for a fun experience.
The next day, I took a bus to Hakata Bay and visited some islands. The nearby islands can be reached in about 30 minutes, making it a great option for nature lovers. The bus took about 16 minutes from Hakata Station and cost just under 300 yen, but I later discovered that there is a free shuttle bus to the Port Tower. Be sure to check if it is operating on the day you go!
I was surprised to find that the Hakata Port Tower is free! I took the elevator to the top of the tower and enjoyed a wonderful 360-degree panorama view!
At the bay, I also enjoyed an onsen! It’s a large facility with great hot springs, saunas, and stone baths for added enjoyment!