A quick ferry ride from Fukuoka, pretty Nokonoshima mixes natural and man-made parks. The latter, called Island Park, gets the most visitors, with a swimming beach, fields of seasonal wildflowers, huts selling crafts, and sweeping ocean views. Bicycle rental (per hour/day ¥300/1000) and English maps are available at Noko Market, by the ferry dock. Buses 300 and 301 depart frequently from Nishitetsu Tenjin bus terminal (¥360, 20 minutes) for Meinohama Municipal Ferry Port.

Ferries to delightfully rural Shikanoshima (志賀島), where fresh seafood restaurants line the harbourside streets, depart hourly (¥650, 33 minutes) from Bayside Place, along with seasonal sightseeing cruises around Hakata Bay. Shikanoshima also has a fishing shrine (志賀海神社),decorated with deer antlers, and a popular beach about 5km east of the shrine.