Have you ever stumbled upon a place so authentic that you feel like you’ve discovered a secret only locals know about? That’s exactly how I felt when I visited Himehotaru Restaurant at Chikushino Tenpai-no-sato near Fukuoka. I first learned about this place from a YouTuber named Himemong who lives in Fukuoka, and I immediately marked it on my map.
This natural food Buffet Restaurant Near Fukuoka in Japan is incredibly popular among locals, which made me think it would be perfect for a visit with my mom. So I made a reservation (which turns out to be absolutely necessary) and set off to explore one of Fukuoka’s hidden gems.
Getting There: Location and Transportation
Let’s be honest – this place isn’t the easiest to reach for international travelers. In my case, I rented a car for my Fukuoka and Kyushu trip, so getting there wasn’t a big deal.
The good news? It’s actually pretty close to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, making it a perfect combo for a day trip. If you’re planning to visit, I’d definitely recommend bundling these two destinations together. Seriously, it just makes sense.
If you’re relying on public transportation, you’ll need to take bus #22 from Tofuromimami Station and then… well, be prepared for a bit of walking. Not the most convenient, but trust me, it’s worth the journey.
More Than Just Food: It’s an Onsen Too!
What makes this place even more special is that Himehotaru Restaurant is part of an onsen (hot spring) facility. So you can actually enjoy a relaxing bath before or after your meal. I mean, eating after a nice hot soak? That’s what I call living your best Japanese life!
Opening Hours To Plan Your Visit
The restaurant operates in two shifts:
- Lunch: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
(Closed on the second Tuesday of each month, only for restaurant)
- Onsen hours: 10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Pricing (As of 2025)
- Lunch buffet: Weekdays 2,600 yen / Weekends 2,800 yen
- Dinner buffet: Weekdays 3,200 yen / Weekends 3,400 yen
(Meal prices are subject to change, so please check the official website for exact prices. By the way, the prices are higher than when I visited because of the inflation.)
Reservation: Absolutely Necessary!
I cannot stress this enough – you MUST make a reservation before visiting this restaurant. It’s super popular, and they’re always packed.
When we arrived, they initially thought we couldn’t be seated because they were fully booked. They probably assumed that as foreigners, we wouldn’t have known to make a reservation… but fortunately, I had! So we got in without any problems.
The Restaurant Atmosphere
The moment you enter, you’ll notice that warm, comforting vibe typical of Japanese onsen facilities. You’ll need to take off your shoes at the entrance, and inside, you’ll find the place packed with Japanese locals. There were lots of families when we visited, and even though we went on a weekday, every seat was taken.
Because it’s connected to an onsen facility, the whole building has that distinctive, cozy onsen smell (you know what I mean if you’ve been to one). When you walk deeper into the building, you’ll find the buffet restaurant, while the actual onsen is a bit further in.
The Natural Food Buffet Experience
According to their website, they pride themselves on serving seasonal, natural foods. And yup, there were tons of fresh vegetable dishes, which is probably why it’s so popular with health-conscious Japanese locals.
Just a heads-up: the staff doesn’t speak English at all, so communication can be tricky. I ended up using a translation app for basic conversations. Not ideal, but we managed!
The Natural Food Selection
When you walk into the dining area, the first thing you’ll notice is a beautifully decorated table surrounded by a variety of dishes. There were so many foods made with different vegetables that it was fun just trying each one.
Don’t worry though – even though it’s a “natural food” buffet, it’s not just vegetables. They also had pasta and fried foods. The salad section was particularly impressive, with various vegetables and dressings to choose from.
Hot Dishes That Surprised Me
I was initially worried that a natural food buffet would only have vegetables, but they also served grilled salmon, fish, dong po pork, pasta, grilled chicken, sausages, and more. This meant we could enjoy a variety of delicious foods alongside all those veggies.
The Rice, Soup, and Curry Corner
One section of the buffet was dedicated to rice, white rice porridge, soup, and curry, all arranged in a clever structure. I was impressed by the variety of rice options – some with vegetables mixed in. They even provided fresh eggs and soy sauce so you could make your own tamago kake gohan (egg rice).
The Signature Ramen
One of Himehotaru’s signature menu items is their ramen. It’s made with a chicken broth that has a distinctive white foam and rich flavor. They provided various toppings like chicken breast, vegetables, and lime to customize your bowl. It was surprisingly good – better than I expected – and everyone in my family had a bowl.
Beverage Station
The buffet also included a beverage station with healthy-looking teas and juices. I tried a kale drink, but it wasn’t kale juice – more like kale powder mixed with water. It was kind of chalky and not particularly enjoyable, tbh.
Freshly Baked Bread
One of the highlights was the freshly baked croissants. We got lucky with our timing and managed to get warm, just-out-of-the-oven croissants. Even though I was already full, they were too delicious to pass up!
Dessert Heaven
The final highlight of the buffet was the dessert corner. I was surprised by how extensive and professional the dessert selection was – people were actually queuing up for them! The desserts were displayed in a showcase, and you had to request them from the staff. You could only get three types at once, so I went back multiple times to try different ones (no shame in my dessert game).
On the opposite side, there was a coffee corner, chocolate fondue, and ice cream. The milk ice cream, made with Hokkaido milk, was particularly rich and delicious – definitely don’t miss it!
Final Thoughts on This Fukuoka Hidden Gem
So that’s my introduction to Himehotaru Restaurant at Chikushino Tenpai-no-sato, a natural Food Buffet Restaurant Near Fukuoka that’s worth the journey. At 2,000-3,000 yen, it’s not particularly expensive for a buffet, but the variety and quality of healthy, fresh ingredients make it exceptional value.
The desserts were the perfect finale to an already amazing meal, and despite the remote location, I’m already thinking about when I can go back. If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese dining experience that combines natural food with onsen culture – this is absolutely it.
Have you ever discovered a hidden restaurant gem during your travels? Or would you try combining an onsen visit with a buffet meal? Let me know in the comments!
