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Paragliding in Itoshima: A Different Side of Fukuoka
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Paragliding in Itoshima: A Different Side of Fukuoka

M

NOREN

Co-founder · NOREN

1 octobre 2026

4 min de lecture

ASOBINA Itoshima invited me to try this flight. All thoughts in this post are my own.

Most people come to Fukuoka for the food. Ramen, yatai stalls, a long list of places to eat. Even people who live here say it: "Fukuoka? It's all about the food."

I live in Fukuoka, and I don't think that's the whole story. There is a lot here that visitors never hear about. That is a big part of why I started NOREN.

Recently I went paragliding with ASOBINA Itoshima, about 40 minutes by car from Fukuoka and Hakata.

On the beach in Itoshima, before the flight
On the beach in Itoshima, before the flight

I'm scared of heights

I should say this first. I don't like heights, and I avoid roller coasters whenever I can. I signed up anyway, and I was honestly nervous right up until the moment we took off. (I can laugh about it now.)

It's a tandem flight, so you fly together with an instructor. Once we were in the air, it felt much more stable than I expected, and I wasn't scared at all. If I can say that, I think most people can.

Flying tandem with the instructor, with Itoshima's sea below
Flying tandem with the instructor, with Itoshima's sea below

Someone else who flew that day

Expériences associées

S'envoler dans le ciel de l'île d'Itoshima vers la mer — Vol en parapente en tandem

ASOBINA Itoshima

S'envoler dans le ciel de l'île d'Itoshima vers la mer — Vol en parapente en tandem

¥27,500/ personne 1 h

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Another guest that day was an older traveler. I asked why they had decided to try paragliding, and this is what they said:

“It was on my bucket list, so I went looking for a place. This was the only one I found where an instructor flies with you, so I felt safe choosing it here.”

You don't need to be young or experienced to try this. You just need to want to.

Itoshima, but not the one I knew

Itoshima's coastline from the air
Itoshima's coastline from the air

I go to Itoshima quite often. From the sky, it looked completely different.

The sea was beautiful, as I expected. What surprised me was the greenery near the coast. From above, it looked like a jungle, thick and green, and it was so pretty. For a moment I felt like I was somewhere overseas, not 40 minutes from the city where I live.

From above, the green along the coast looks like a jungle
From above, the green along the coast looks like a jungle

A break from everyday life

My days are usually busy, and it's hard to switch off. Up in the air, I forgot about all of it. I didn't realize how much I needed that until I was back on the ground.

If you're planning a trip to Fukuoka

Fukuoka really is a great food city. But if you have a free half day and want to try something a little different, this is the one I would recommend.

I'm already planning to go back. Next time I want to fly at sunset and watch the sun go down over the sea.

Looking up from the beach
Looking up from the beach

ASOBINA Itoshima

  • Address: 2785-7 Shimanogita, Itoshima, Fukuoka 819-1303
  • Access: About 40 minutes by car from Fukuoka and Hakata
  • Book: noren-trip.com/experiences/paraglider-tandem-itoshima