Spacious Rooms, Big Bathrooms, Tatami Mats, Just like a Modern Japanese home.
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by The358 SORA for this post. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
- Feels more like staying in a modern Japanese home than a hotel — tatami mats, koagari platform beds, a spacious split bathroom and generous cupboard space throughout
- We paid ¥17,900 per night all-in for 4 weekday nights in July — good value for the quality, but expect higher pricing on weekends and peak season
- Not ideal without a car — no train station on Fukuoka Island City, bus from Hakata takes ~40 minutes, and the surrounding area is quieter during off-peak periods
- Noise caveat — lobby music speaker is outside even-numbered rooms, audible from inside from 9am to 11pm — consider requesting an odd-numbered room
- Facilities include a free drinks lounge with Costa Coffee, public bath 天空 TENKU and two bookable private baths — genuinely resort-level for the price
In July 2026 I stayed at the Modern Japanese Premium Room at The358 SORA Hotel in Fukuoka and it was a little bit like staying in a modern Japanese home as the room had lots of space and modern design elements while still keeping to its tradition.
The358 SORA is a 4 star family oriented resort at Fukuoka Island City, and is one of two 358 hotels with the other one beside it called The358 UMI.
358 is meant to represent 358 + the guest + the hotel = 360 degrees of connection and possibility. With SORA (sky in Japanese) emphasizing open views and brighter resort like stay compared to a city hotel.
Anyway, I will let you know what my experience was like staying in the Modern Japanese Premium Room at The358 SORA and why you might want to consider staying here on your next trip to Fukuoka.
Photos on this page are mine, shot on an iPhone 11 pro or Canon 60D with a Canon EF-S 18-135mm lens.
How to get to The358 SORA
From Hakata Station
From Hakata Station by bus — no train station near the hotel
From Hakata Station you want to take bus No. 29N or 29 from Hakata Bus Terminal on the first floor. Both 29N and 29 are the only direct buses but 29N takes a faster route. Bus 29N will take about 40 minutes. Both will cost you ¥510.
There aren’t any train stations near the hotel or on Island City, so you would need to either take a bus, taxi or drive there. It’s about a 20 minute drive to the hotel from Hakata Station or Fukuoka Airport.
What’s the difference between The358 SORA & The358 UMI?
While The358 SORA is the resort like hotel, The358 UMI is its business hotel brother. It’s a functional business style hotel with rooms that are more simple, utilitarian and functional. They also tend to be cheaper but it depends on the season and location etc.
The358 UMI Hotel is one that I will definitely be trying in the future on my next trip back to Fukuoka.
How to check in to The358 SORA
Check in is done on the 11th floor as they don’t have a ground floor lobby. There are plenty of signs around so you can’t miss it. The check in process is simple like other hotels in Japan, and the staff have good English so you don’t have to worry about language.
Check in time is at 3pm and check out is at 11am.
Parking @ The358 SORA
If you parked at the Island Eye Parking Lot (parking areas in front and behind the hotel) remember to bring the parking ticket with you.
Handover your parking ticket and they will validate it for you and the ticket will be free for 24 hours per entry.
So if you have to enter and leave the car park multiple times per day you have to go to the 11F reception every time to get it validated. It’s not terribly inconvenient but I have stayed in other hotels in Kyushu where you get a dedicated parking ticket that you keep for the duration of your stay. So you don’t have to keep validating it each time.
The358 SORA: Modern Japanese Premium Room
When you first step into the room, immediately you will be surprised by how much space there is. It’s one of the rare occasions where the room looks bigger than the marketing material. The vibe or atmosphere of the room is really calm and peaceful, and it makes you feel at home and relaxed.
Actually that’s it the room really feels more like your home than a hotel room. There’s loads of cupboard space, the toilet is really big almost like what you would find in a modern Japanese house. And again, lots of space in between the beds and the television that is just rare nowadays.
Modern Japanese Premium Room Beds
The room has two beds (110cm x 195cm) about the size of a Japanese Semi-Double, but you can probably even add 2 or 3 futons for guests to sleep on the tatami mats. The beds and pillows are really nice and firm but not too hard. I had some of the best rest here and am even thinking of asking them what brands they are using.
Easy to move Luggage around
I really liked the beds on the 小上がり (koagari) and am glad that they designed the room in a way where the main floor is flushed on the same level as the doorway entrance. Unlike some of the older Japanese hotels. Reason being that it’s much easier to move luggage around that way, instead of having to always raise it up or down to a higher or lower platform.
Room Amenities
The358 SORA is quite generous with its amenities and they have the usual toothbrush, shaver, earbuds even all in the room. It’s nice to see as other hotels nowadays require you to only take what you need at the reception.
There is loads of cupboard space and inside one of them there is the fridge, kettle, mineral water and coffee stuff. In the other parts of the cupboard you will find extra pillows and duvets. Something that I have not seen in hotels for a very long time.
There is also a fairly large TV, an air purifier and a nice table on the elevated tatami mats. You can do some light work on it but I think my back is still not used to sitting on the floor like that for long hours.
There isn’t a private safe in the room however, it seems like it’s one of the hotel things of yesteryear that is slowly going away.
You will find a yukata on each bed at the time I was visiting, I was given a hotel bag with the 5th anniversary logo that you can bring home.
The Toilet
The toilet was one of the bigger and spacious ones that I have encountered and it was a really pleasant surprise. It is split into three sections with the Japanese toilet being one, the sink and vanity area being one and the shower and tub being one section.
I really liked the shower area as you get a full sized tub and shower area just like a modern Japanese house. It also has a full length mirror that I don’t think I have seen in many other hotels before. And as usual the shampoo, body soap and conditioner are also provided.
The sink area has more than enough space to put stuff and it does not feel cramp like other hotels. There may not be enough space to hang towels here but there’s plenty of space in the cupboards to do so.
Room Pricing
4 weekday nights · July 2026 · prices in Japanese Yen
| Item | Amount (JPY) |
|---|---|
| Room charge (4 nights) | ¥65,200 |
| Taxes & fees | ¥6,500 |
| Total (4 nights) | ¥71,700 |
| Per night (room only) | ¥16,300 |
| Per night (taxes) | ¥1,630 |
| Per night (all-in) | ¥17,900 |
⚠️ Prices shown are for 4 weekday nights in July 2026 (off-peak). Rates vary by season and day of week — always check current availability for accurate pricing.
I spent ¥71,700 (including taxes) in total for 4 weekday nights, so it’s about ¥17,900 per night. For the size and quality the room and facilities I feel that the price is pretty great to me. But it probably will be cheaper than 4 star hotels in Fukuoka city itself as The358 SORA is slightly further out an inconvenient without a car.
Room Cleaning
Room cleaning is done everyday and you can choose if you want the staff to do so. If you do not want room cleaning the staff will leave a tote bag with new towels, yukata and mineral water at your front door. You can also put rubbish outside the door for them to clear.
Noise
However there was one problem I encountered during my stay and that was the noise. For some reason I was able to hear a lot of noise outside the room. So if children are running outside then you can hear everything.
And also the speaker for the lobby music was right outside my door. So I could hear the music really clearly in my room as early as 9am and it only seemed to stop at around 11pm at night.
My room was an even number and it seems like the speakers are built outside the even numbered rooms. It may not be so bad if you had the odd numbered room.
Granted you will be outside most of the day and I was usually exhausted by the time I came back so I was in dreamland quite quickly and the music didn’t affect me too much. But still it’s such a nice room and atmosphere that you kind of wish it didn’t have this tiny “flaw”.
The358 SORA Hotel Facilities
Lounge Area: Free Drinks and Costa Coffee!
On the 11F next to the check in reception is a Lounge Area where you can get free drinks and free Costa Cofee. There is also a terrace where you can enjoy the view with the drinks. The358 UMI does not have a free drinks lounge like this.
I usually got a coffee from here before heading out for the day.
Public & Private Baths
The358 SORA has both a public and private bath for guests. The public bath is called 天空 TENKU and is separate for men and women. It has an indoor tub, semi open air tub, dry sauna and can hold up to 48 people. No tattoos are allowed.
There are even massage chairs outside the baths for guests to relax at.
月 TSUKI & 星 HOSHI
There are two types of private baths at The358 SORA with 月 TSUKI having one large indoor tub and 2 shower stations and 星 HOSHI having an indoor and outdoor tub, along with two shower stations.
You will need to make a reservation for these private baths and you can do so at the reception or by phone. There is a timing board at the reception where you can see the bookings and whether what time slots are still available. Its in Japanese but it’s red for booked and green for available basically.
Coin Wash Laundry @ Island Eye
There is no laundry service or coin laundry at The358 SORA and UMI. But there is a coin operated laundromat 5 mins away at the Island Eye called WASH House (Washハウス). It’s really convenient and I managed to get my washing done quite easily.
Even though it’s a “coin” laundry there is an official app that you can use to pay by cards, see which machines are free, reserve a washing/dryer machine and even get a notification when you are done.
Breakfast @ The358 SORA
Breakfast is not included and is served at the 空-KU restaurant on the first floor. It cost ¥3,300 for adults and ¥1,650 for children. It is also open from 7am to 10:30am with last order at 10:00am.
Here is what you can expect to get:
It’s similar to other Japanese hotel breakfasts where you get a mix of Western and Japanese style food. This was one of the nicer hotel breakfast I have eaten in Fukuoka. If you are having breakfast you need to try a few things like the さきいか dried shredded squid.
The tofu they serve is also really nice and tastes really refreshing. And also mentaiko french toast is also very unique and I enjoyed it even though I’m still unsure if I like mentaiko yet.
Some Tips
- You are not allowed to order meals or drinks to be delivered to the hotel like Ubereats and pizza eg.
Is The358 SORA Worth It?
I don’t usually like to play favourites but this was my favourite hotel experience in Fukuoka so far. Probably because it felt more like something you would find in a modern Japanese home instead of a hotel.
The only minor thing I didn’t quite like was the noise from outside the room. But maybe the experience on other floors might be different.
But I think all these come at the cost of being slightly inconvenient, as it is away from the city center and from a train station. It is not the most inaccessible but its much more convenient if you drove.
If you are on a driving holiday and want something nice and spacious for your family, and the budget allows, I say go for it and consider staying at The358 SORA Modern Japanese Premium Room.
What to Eat Nearby
There is a shopping area just next to The358 SORA called the Island Eye. It has a food court, some restaurants, a supermarket and other shops like book stores etc. Unfortunately during off peak seasons, like when I was there, a lot of the shops don’t seem to be open or close early.
There is a Lawson and Seven Eleven nearby but if you want something proper you can check out these places:
Aeon Mall Kashiihama
The biggest shopping area near The358 SORA is at Aeon Mall Kashiihama and is only an 8 minute drive from the hotel.
If you are unfamiliar, Aeon Mall is a franchise of shopping malls in Japan that has everything you could ever need such as supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and tons of shops.
The surrounding area has lots of food places as well such as Komeda Coffee, Soba shops and Yakiniku shops.
SuperCenterTRIAL ISLAND-CITY
SuperCenter TRIAL is a large discount supermarket in Japan (similar to Walmart) and it was a pleasant surprise the first time I visited because it is open 24 hours and they don’t close on holidays. They have a supermarket stuff, home stuff and they even sell electronics.
This outlet is only about 5 minutes away from The358 SORA so if you need late night supermarket shopping and convenient stores are not enough, its a really great place to go to.
FAQ – The358 SORA
1) Is breakfast included at The358 SORA?
No — breakfast is not included and costs ¥3,300 for adults and ¥1,650 for children. It’s served at the 空-KU restaurant on the first floor from 7:00am to 10:30am (last order 10:00am). Worth trying if you’re there — the mentaiko french toast and さきいか dried shredded squid are both worth ordering specifically.
2) Is there parking at The358 SORA?
Yes — parking is available at the Island Eye Parking Lot in front of and behind the hotel. Bring your parking ticket to the 11th floor reception to get it validated — it’s free for 24 hours per entry. Note that you need to re-validate at reception every time you exit and re-enter the car park, which can be inconvenient if you’re heading in and out multiple times a day.
3) How far is The358 SORA from Hakata Station?
About 20 minutes by car or taxi. By public transport, take bus No. 29N or 29 from Hakata Bus Terminal on the first floor — both cost ¥510 and the 29N takes a faster route at approximately 40 minutes. There are no train stations near the hotel or on Island City.
4) Does The358 SORA have an onsen or pool?
It has public baths rather than a traditional onsen. The public bath 天空 TENKU is split by gender and includes an indoor tub, semi open-air tub and dry sauna for up to 48 people. No tattoos are allowed. There are also two types of private baths — 月 TSUKI (one large indoor tub, two shower stations) and 星 HOSHI (indoor and outdoor tub, two shower stations) — both bookable at reception. No swimming pool.
5) What is the difference between The358 SORA and The358 UMI?
The358 SORA is the resort-style hotel with larger rooms, a free drinks lounge, public and private baths and a more home-like atmosphere. The358 UMI next door is the business hotel version — more functional and utilitarian rooms, generally cheaper, and without the free drinks lounge that SORA offers.
6) Is The358 SORA worth it without a car?
Manageable but not ideal. The bus from Hakata takes about 40 minutes and runs regularly, but the surrounding Island City area is quieter during off-peak periods and most nearby dining and shopping requires either a short drive or some walking. If you’re on a driving holiday it’s an easy recommendation — without a car it depends on how much you value the room and facilities versus easy city access.
7) What room types are available at The358 SORA?
Multiple room types are available including the Modern Japanese Premium Room we stayed in, which features tatami mats, a koagari platform, twin beds (110cm x 195cm) and a spacious split bathroom with full tub and shower. Other room types are available — check the hotel’s booking page for the full selection and current availability.
8) Is The358 SORA good for families?
Yes — it’s positioned as a family resort and the room layout reflects this. The Modern Japanese Premium Room has enough space to add futons on the tatami area for additional guests, and the split bathroom layout is genuinely practical for families. The public baths, free drinks lounge and nearby Island Eye shopping area all suit a family stay well.
9) Is there coin laundry at The358 SORA?
Not at the hotel itself, but there is a WASH House coin laundromat about 5 minutes away at the Island Eye shopping complex. It has an official app that lets you pay by card, check which machines are free, reserve a machine and receive a notification when your laundry is done — very convenient.
10) Is The358 SORA worth it?
Yes — if you’re on a driving holiday and want something genuinely spacious and different from a standard city hotel, the The358 SORA Modern Japanese Premium Room is one of the nicest stays in Fukuoka at this price point. The tatami layout, generous amenities and public bath facilities make it feel more like a Japanese home than a hotel. The main trade-offs are the distance from the city center and the parking re-validation system — both manageable with a car, less so without one.
Written by
Timothy Leong
Timothy is a Singapore-born, Japan-based digital marketer turned hidden-gem hunter. After ditching spreadsheets for Google Maps, he now lives full-time in Japan, chasing quiet towns, real ramen, and off-grid train routes. Every photo and tip on Nihon Travel Guide is 100% his — no AI, no fluff, no Tokyo Tower.
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