Kitakyushu Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Kokura Castle in North Kyushu

Address📍: 2-1 Jonai, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 803-0813, Japan 〒803-0813 福岡県北九州市小倉北区城内２−1 Nearest train station 🚉: Kokura 小倉 (15 minute wak) Famous for ✨: its history, its architecture (very instagramable), its Japanese umbrellas all over its entrance, the statues of local samurais, and also the sakura over the hill of the castle in spring Tourist spots nearby 👀: 🛍️: Kokura Central Shopping Street next to the Kokura Station (15 minute walk) 🚽 : ToTo Museum (10 minute walk) which shows the evolution and variety of toilets in Japan #Kokura #Kitakyushu #japan

Kokura Castle is located at Fukuoka, Japan. This nicely restored castle has a good mix of history and fun. Walkable from the Kokura train station. Kids and adults will enjoy riding the palanquin and sitting in on a samurai war council. The views are great from the top floor too. The castle is situated in the middle of the city. It provides a very peaceful place to walk and view the beautiful gardens. The castle is very popular during spring when the cherry blossom blooms but even other seasons, it is worth to visit. #givethanks #givethanks

Outstanding castle Beautiful river view

The castle was rebuilt in the 50s of the original design, so it's relatively "modern" inside (similar to Osaka). Nonetheless, the displays and interactions are informative and fun. A short walk from Kokura Station. The attractions and materials are well displayed inside the museum, so you can visit them all without getting bored. I was supposed to be able to see the sea from the castle tower, but NHK Nobiru was in the way. Convenient location, beautiful night view, and a small but nice souvenir shop. #songkran2024#mytravelhacks#cherryblossom2024#historicallandmarks#localguides#familytrip#瑞生尖沙咀酒店#trip#instatravel#goodfoods#langkawi#foodphotography#chinatown#ipoh

【Kokura Diary】The perfect fusion of modernity and tradition

I set off from Hakata Station in the early morning, with the Shinkansen wind urging me on towards Kokura. An unplanned trip, just like that, started on a whim—Kokura, here I come! 🏙️ Cityscape: Kokura greeted me with a symphony of skyscrapers and traditional buildings. Walking on the busy streets, I tried to capture the bits and pieces of city life with my camera. Sometimes looking up, the conversation between the distant mountains and the tall buildings tells the charm of Kokura. 🚶‍♂️ Street Steps: On the streets of Kokura, vitality and history are intertwined. The cobblestone roads of the old street, the graffiti on the walls, seem to tell the stories of past and present. Any random shop or stall is the unique flavor of this city. Oh, and don't forget the Mont-bell store by the river, you might find a treasure! And the riverside cafe is the best seat to enjoy the passing pedestrians. 🏰 Historical Watch: Kokura Castle is not just a tourist spot, it's more like a guardian of history. The castle becomes more solemn in the twilight, protecting the city's memories. Here, the echoes of history seem to reverberate in my ears, provoking deep thought. 📷 Must-Capture Highlights: Walking through this city, every corner is a unique scene. Photography is not just about capturing images, it's a way for me to communicate with the city. Each photo records a part of this journey, each a unique memory. 🌆 Sunset Glow: Outside Kokura Station, the afterglow of the sunset gradually falls asleep on the horizon, and I witness the city's transition from the hustle and bustle of the day to the tranquility of the night, the city's charm is more highlighted in this peace. 🍜 Culinary Exploration: After a busy day, I finally found a ramen shop recommended by locals. Tasting the food with Kokura's characteristics, I feel like with every bite, I can sense the city's history and warmth. 🌙 Castle in the Night: Kokura Castle at night is even more mysterious, the ancient castle is more solemn under the light. In this tranquility, I feel the sediment of history, enjoying the rare peace. This day's trip to Kokura was a small escape from life. I experienced the new rhythm of the city, tried the food, and delved into the depths of culture. Kokura, this place full of vitality and charm, has left me with full memories and endless longing.

Mojiko - historic port in Kyushu

Nearest station 🚉 : Mojiko Address 📍: Minatomachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-0852 Famous for ✨: retro buildings, grilled curry 🍛 Tourist spots nearby 🤓 : 🛍️ Sakaemachi shopping street (10 minute walk) ⛩️ Santuario Sintoasita (10 minute walk) 🛕 World Peace Pagoda (20 minute walk) There will be lights lit up around the port after 5:30 pm also 🌉🌃

Located at the seaside between Kyushu island and mainland of Japan, you can see both sides without any disruption from here. It is an observatory on the 31st floor. You'll get there in 45 seconds by high-speed elevator. You can see Moji Port, Iwaryu Jima, Dannoura in Shimonoseki, and Kanmon Bridge. The ships that come and go are going back and forth without losing to the flow of the Kanmon Bridge. Nice and relaxing place. This place is wonderful. It has a European vibe to it, which makes it a memorable visit in Japan. So if you are around the area and wants something other than usual castles, go to Mojiko Retro. Although I forget how much I paid, it was cheap and worth it. #givethanks #givethanks

Under the fiery red sunset, Moji Port is a haven of tranquility and beauty

During the Dragon Boat Festival, I enjoyed a trip to Kyushu, Japan, soaked in the mountain hot springs, and then visited the seaside Moji Port to experience the charm of a blend of Eastern and Western cultures.😼😼😼 ❤❤❤My favorite part is the preservation of many European-style buildings here. It's no wonder it was one of the famous ports that connected with Western culture in the past. And there are many Japanese elements when you least expect them. The combination of East and West is very perfect.😍😍😍 I especially like to check in at its landmark train station, where the hustle and bustle of the day and the tranquility of the night complement each other. And don't miss out on the local cuisine here—the grilled curry flavor is amazing.👍👍👍

Mojiko: The Forgotten Gateway

Mojiko is a calm port town with old-fashioned buildings. It's nice to walk around here for a couple of hours. Don't miss trying the baked cheese curry, which you can find in many places. If you're in Kitakyushu, Mojiko is a great spot for a day trip.Mojiko, a tranquil port town, boasts charming old buildings. Take a leisurely stroll for a few hours and savor the baked cheese curry, available in numerous spots. Mojiko is an ideal day trip destination if you're in Kitakyushu. #winhkflight

Kawachi Wisteria Garden

Address: 2 Chome-2-48 Kawachi, Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 805-0045, Japan Getting there: Would be more convenient to travel by car as there is free parking provided. Highlights: Kawachi Wisteria Garden is a private garden in the wooded hills south of central Kitakyushu, famous for its spectacular displays of wisteria flowers.🍀 The most famous part of this garden is the spectacular flower tunnel, it is roughly 100 meter long tunnels made of wisteria trees of differing varieties and colors, ranging from white to dark purple. 😍 This garden attract large numbers of visitor daily so do remember to make reservation before coming! Opening hours: 8am to 6pm daily Admission fee: 500yen #gooutside #traveljapan #awesomepic

KAWACHI FUJI GARDEN, JAPAN

In fact, Kawachi Fuji Garden is the national botanical garden in Japan. Well, here is a famous tunnel filled with wisteria flowers. There are more than 20 types of wisteria flowers on the roof of the tunnel. So, you will feel the sensation like in a fairy tale when you visit here.#triplocal #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

Kawachi Wonderland Colors

Kawachi Fuji is a private botanical garden in Japan, founded by Masao Higuchi more than 50 years ago. The garden is located in Kitakyushu City, on the wooded hills south of the central part of the city. It began with Masao's dream — to leave a living memory of himself. And from the first wisteria, which he transplanted from the village of Kawachi — it was expected to be flooded when creating a local reservoir — to the slope of a rocky hill, where he decided to set up a wisteria garden. Wisteria ("fuji" in Japanese) is a subtropical plant, a tree—like vine that produces brushes of fragrant flowers in spring. Fuji Garden has broken all records for the number of wisteria — here on an area of more than 3 thousand square meters. m. 22 species of this tree bloom in spring. There are two flower tunnels in the garden — 80 m and 110 m long. In autumn, the garden invites you to admire the gold and crimson maple trees — the "autumn" part of the park has 700 trees. The park also has an observation deck with views of bamboo groves and the "sea of petals" — a large trellis covered with wisteria, the flowers of which hang down and form a blooming roof. The park is open to the public only two seasons a year: during flowering from April to May and in autumn from September to November. Opening hours: from 8:00 to 18:00. The ticket costs from 1000 yen. Detailed information about prices can be found on the official website. At the peak of spring flowering, the wisteria garden can be loaded with visitors — advance booking of tickets may be required. How to get there There is a bus from the center of Kitakyushu from Yahata Station. But it will take another hour to walk from the final stop. The easiest way is to take a taxi. The applications Takkun, JapanTaxi, TokyoMusen work in Japan. A 15-minute trip will cost about 2000-2500 yen. #garden #flowerlover

The scenery is beautiful and serene.

Beautiful flower garden! 500 yen to enter. Flowers are in full bloom and the air smelled wonderful. Highly recommend to come early to avoid the large crowds. Plenty of parking and bathrooms are located at entrance. #kawachiwisteriagarden #garden #japan

TOTOly amazing toilet museum 🚽

Name 📝: ToTo Museum Address 📍: 2 Chome-1-1 Nakashima, 北九州市小倉北区 Fukuoka 802-8601, Japan Nearest station 🚉: Kawaraguchi Mihagino 香春口三荻野 Famous for ✨: having the history of the the most famous toilet maker in Japan, evolution of various toilets in Japan, the very cool Toilet Bike, various designs of toilets to cater for different people Experience 🤓: blown away! Firstly it’s free of charge. Secondly it’s innovative and high-tech in designs. Also the staff is very polite. There is elegant classical music played inside the museum so you won’t feel you are in a toilet but really somewhere classy! 🎵 #japan #kitakyushu #ToTo

a room called a “bathroom”

A must visit if you are in Kitakyushu. A free museum that takes you through Toto's history, and also learning a few things about their company. They provide audio guides that come in English, Korean, Mandarin and Japanese Definitely worth coming to see the history of how toilet bowls, bath tubs, urinals, seat, and seat warmers were made. If you like museums, and want to try something different, check this place out. Yes, it's a toilet museum, however it is a fun place to visit #songkran2024#mytravelhacks#cherryblossom2024#historicallandmarks#localguides#familytrip#瑞生尖沙咀酒店#trip#instatravel#goodfoods#langkawi#foodphotography#chinatown#ipoh

Toilet 🚽 also has history? 🤣🇯🇵

#winhkflight As we all know the automatic toilet in Japan is very popular and famous. I was Exploring the history development of Toilet 🚽 at Toto Museum. It is a modern , eco-friendly museum displaying toilets & tableware made by the long-running company. This museum was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of TOTO. I want to travel to Hong Kong to visit interesting museums!

Stroll the Kyoto streets while in Kimono is a fun experience !

Yasaka Shrine, Fukuoka 🇯🇵

#fukuokatrip One of the top attractions when visiting Fukuoka is the Yasaka Shrine. The Yasaka Shrine is just a short distance from Kokura Castle and is a peaceful place which offers unique architecture. This beautiful Shrine exudes a sense of traditional atmosphere as well as calmness in the surroundings. Highly recommend a visit! My rating: 4 ⭐️ out of 5!

fantastic view of their temple and shrine.

There’s enough space even for a high-traffic location, although we went there during the weekdays. It’s a nice location to take a sit, breather, and people-watching. Just go late into the night, nobody will be there, bring your tripod. Take selfies. Made some amazing friends too.