Fukuoka Day 5: Authentic Breakfast at Itookashi & I'm donut?
Explore Day 5 of a 7-day Fukuoka adventure! Discover where to find an authentic Japanese breakfast at Itookashi and indulge in delicious treats at I'm donut? in 2026.
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Explore Day 5 of a 7-day Fukuoka adventure! Discover where to find an authentic Japanese breakfast at Itookashi and indulge in delicious treats at I'm donut? in 2026.

Maybe it was all the non-stop drinks throughout the trip,
but I ended up oversleeping by about 30 minutes.
For breakfast, I was set on a clean, traditional Japanese home-style meal,
so off we went to the restaurant I'd researched! :)
Itookashi (Cash Only)
This popular restaurant opens bright and early at 7 AM,
but when we arrived a little past 8 AM, there was already a queue.
After about 30 minutes of waiting, we finally got in!

I ordered the grilled mackerel set meal,
and my boyfriend got the grilled black cod set meal.

The grilled mackerel tasted exactly as we'd expect – familiar and comforting –
but the grilled black cod was truly incredible!
The fish was incredibly tender, seasoned perfectly,
and had a flavor I hadn't experienced with grilled fish in Korea.
Beyond grilled fish sets, they also offer sashimi sets, kaisendon, and a variety of other delicious dishes.
It's as good as its Google rating suggests, so if you're in Fukuoka
and looking for a fantastic restaurant that opens early, I highly recommend it.
I'm donut Fukuoka
After a super satisfying breakfast, we made our way to I'm donut.
Every time I passed by, I never really thought, 'Oh, that looks delicious,' or 'I want to try that,'
but there were always so many people, it eventually piqued my curiosity!

Even 30 minutes before opening, there was already a huge crowd.
The line stretched over 100 meters, all the way to the street in front of the store.
Unless you're planning to be there for an early 'open run,'
I recommend visiting when you happen to pass by and the crowd is lighter.
You'll find far fewer people then!

After waiting for about 45 minutes, we were finally about to go in.
Since it's a takeaway style shop, the wait wasn't as long
as it could have been for the number of people.

Shiny glazed donuts alongside matcha and chocolate donuts.

The strawberry and chocolate donuts,
while pretty, looked incredibly sweet.
(I'm someone who doesn't like overly sweet things and even skips those super chewy cookies!)

There was a prosciutto donut, with savory cured ham atop sweet maple glaze,
and I wish I had bought one to try.
I really became curious about that sweet and savory combination.

One of I'm donut's signature items,
the 'Nama Donut' series, also had a wide variety.
Pistachio, Mont Blanc, Anko Cream (red bean paste), and more.
Since the Nama donuts are said to be the most popular,
I picked a few from that selection.
In my personal opinion,
they weren't worth waiting an hour for.
They weren't spectacular, nor were they bad;
just an average, sweet donut taste.
I'd recommend them if you happen to pass by and there's a short line.
Exploring Daimyo Street

Strolling down Daimyo Street, I took in all the sights.
With small curated shops, charming cafes, and vintage stores
strung along every alleyway,
I found myself losing track of time, just enjoying a leisurely stroll.

While walking along Daimyo Street, a vibrant green classic car immediately caught my eye.
It was so cool, I just had to snap a photo!

I stepped into the Human Made store and had a look around,
but I didn't find any clothes that really caught my fancy.
Instead, I found an adorable wallet and just had to grab it! :)
Just a heads-up: new arrivals at Human Made usually drop on Saturdays,
so if there's something specific you're hoping to find, Saturday is your best bet!

Slowly, I made my way towards the Nakasu River.
Even for a short stroll, the riverside path was absolutely perfect.
16ku French Patisserie
16ku French Patisserie is my second favorite go-to spot in Fukuoka.
The owner, a charming elderly gentleman, is so dedicated to his Mont Blancs
that he even closes the shop to personally source chestnuts at night!

This patisserie is located near Yakuin,
and it's a real local gem where you'll find mostly locals lining up, not many tourists.
The first floor sells pastries like cakes and dacquoises,
while the second floor is a cozy cafe that can seat about six people.
Just a heads-up: photography is not allowed on the first floor.

Their Mont Blancs and dacquoises are the most famous here,
and they're perfectly sweet and delicious, so I indulge every time I visit!
This time, I ordered a Mont Blanc and a coffee.
And as expected, it was a smooth, rich flavor that never disappoints.

As I slowly explored the streets,
the sky began to blush with the hues of sunset.
My stomach started to rumble, so it was time to head off for some Yakiniku for dinner!


I ordered some chuck flap and short rib.
The moment I took the first bite, an exclamation of delight escaped me.
The juicy tenderness melted in my mouth,
it was truly incredible.

I also added some horumon to my order.
Chewy and savory, it was the perfect way to finish off the meal.

The Nakasu River at night has a completely different charm.
I took a slow stroll along the Nakasu River to help digest dinner.
As I walked along the Nakasu River,
I spotted a busking performance happening on one side of the street.

Before heading back to my accommodation after the walk,
it just wouldn't be right to skip an izakaya, would it?!
Enjoying a few light snacks and a drink,
and sharing stories from the day,
I realized Day 5 was already drawing to a close...!
Itookashi Restaurant only accepts cash payments. When I visited a little after 8 AM, I was able to enter after waiting for about 30 minutes.
Rather than rushing for the opening, I recommend visiting during off-peak hours when there are fewer people. Although it's a takeaway style, the waiting time isn't excessively long for the number of people, but this method could result in significantly fewer crowds.
New HUMAN MADE items are stocked on Saturdays. Therefore, if you're looking for a specific item, I recommend visiting on a Saturday.
French Pastry 16ku is most famous for its Mont Blanc and Dacquoise. Please note that the first floor sells cakes and other pastries, and photography is prohibited.

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