Things to do in Kitakyushu City

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Kitakyushu City

Mojiko Retro

Since the beginning of the Meiji era, Moji Port has been an important international trade port in Japan. It is located in Kyushu, connected to Honshu Island, and faces the Chinese mainland. Ships from Europe, America, Asia and Japan are busy here every day. Noisy, lively. With the development of the municipal government, although Mojigang has lost its former scenery, the European-style buildings in the port area still exude a charming charm. After another renovation, while retaining the European style of the original Western-style buildings in Japan, it is plated with the nostalgic atmosphere of the Taisho period in Japan. The European style and nostalgia add radiance and beauty to each other. After the Moji Port nostalgic area, the former bustling port has become a tourist attraction that attracts domestic and foreign tourists today. Shops and restaurants are lined up, and tourists can freely take outdoor photography. The former Osaka Merchant Shipping Company, the former Moji Port Customs and the former Moji Mitsui Club are all very popular tourist historical buildings in Moji Port, which are open for tourists to visit. Walking into these houses, you can taste the Japanese European style a hundred years ago, and learn the gorgeous culture of Mosigang for a hundred years.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Kitakyushu City

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle is a castle located in Kokurakita, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. Also known as Shengshan City, Yecheng, Zhiyue City, Yongjin City, and Carp City, it is one of the famous sightseeing spots in Kitakyushu Island. About the 13th century, the castle tower was built on a hill on the west bank of the Zichuan Estuary. The scope and planning of the present Kokura Castle was determined in 1587 during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, when Mouri Katsunobu built the castle. The southern barbarian-style Tianshou of Kokura Castle was officially built in 1602 by Hosokawa Zhongxing, who entered the city due to his achievements in the Battle of Sekigahara. There are five floors in total, the first floor is the historical area, the second floor is the city experience area, the third floor is the video experience area, the fourth floor is the enterprise exhibition area, and the fifth floor is the outlook area. Postwar Reconstruction From 1632 when Ogasawara Tadasama started to rule Kokura Castle, it has been the residence of the Ogasawara family for about 230 years after 10 generations until the Meiji era. In 1866, due to the change of Keio Bingin, Kokura Castle was burned down and lost its glory. The current Kokura Castle was rebuilt in 1959 and is a ladder-style flat city. The center of the city is the Honmaru, the south is the Matsumaru, the north is the Kitanomaru, and the Ninomaru, Sannomaru and Waiguo are set in order on their periphery. The building consists of a stone wall made of unprocessed stone, a castle tower and a small tower, 117 flat turrets, 16 double turrets, 12 turret gates, and 3271 narrow rooms. The Zichuan flowing through the east of the castle was used as a natural moat, and part of the castle town was surrounded by the outer wall, forming a so-called "vertical and horizontal" castle structure. The existing buildings are part of the stone wall and Hori, and the castle, the turret gate, the garden and the daimiyajiki are reconstructed. The layout of the courtyard of Kokura Castle showcases the traditional Japanese etiquette, and there is a memorial hall for the world writer Matsumoto Qingzhang in the city. The Dango Market in the central area of Kokura reflects the food culture of Kitakyushu Island and is full of vitality.

Mojiko Retro Observation Gallery

It is located on the 31st floor of a high-rise building designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa, and offers a stunning view of the Moji Port area. There are floor-to-ceiling glass windows on all sides, and Shimonoseki is on the other side of the strait, which is also very popular among lovers. It is also a good spot to look at the "Fantasy Night" of the brilliant illuminations in Mojiko.

Kyushu Railway History Museum

Mojiko Station is the starting point of the Kagoshima Main Line of the earlier railway in Kyushu Island. It can be said that it is the origin of the development history of Kyushu Island's railway, and mainly records the history of Kyushu Railway. As early as the Meiji period, there was a debate within the Japanese government about whether the railway business should be run by the government or should be operated in a private form with half officials and half citizens. Later, Ito Hirobumi, who advocated private ownership, served as the prime minister of the Japanese government, and Kyushu was established in Meiji 21. Shima Railway, the Japan Railway National Law passed in Meiji 40, and Kyushu Shima Railway was dissolved as a private railway company. In Heisei 15 (2003), Japan established the Kyushu Railway Memorial Hall using the remaining buildings of the old Kyushu Railway. The Kyushu Island Railway Memorial is divided into two parts: the exhibition inside the museum and the exhibition outside the museum. The exhibition outside the museum is divided into a vehicle exhibition field and a mini railway park. There are two steam locomotives, five decommissioned vehicles driving in the Kyushu Island area, and a truck carrying coal, and some of them can be visited by tourists. The Mini Railway Park is a small railway playground. Visitors can take cute trams to circumnavigate the park. These trains are four types of limited express trains and a suburban tram currently running on Kyushu Island. Of course, this requires an additional fee. One trip is 300 yen. The main building is a red brick building with red bricks, which is divided into upper and lower floors. On the first floor, there is a physical display of passenger cars from the Meiji period, as well as a platform display in the real situation at that time. A panorama model of the Kyushu Railway with the HO specification (1/87) and the more popular 811 series suburban trains that can simulate driving were also installed in the exhibition hall. Of course, the souvenir shop and rest area are also on the first floor of the venue. The second floor displays souvenirs related to the Kyushu Island Railway, including various old tickets, train signs, station supplies, as well as items related to current trains.

Kaikyokan

Shimonoseki Aquarium"Kaikyokan" is locatedin the Karato areaand is a very popular aquarium in Japan. If you visitKarato, be sure to check out Kaikyokan. In addition to rare aquatic animals such as fish and shellfish from around the world, you can also enjoy performances by adorable penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and finless porpoises. There is a popular small theater featuring a joint performance by dolphins and sea lions, a penguin exhibit calledPenguin Village, which is one of the largest in Japan, a skeletal specimen of the world's largest whale, the blue whale, and a collection of almost all pufferfish species from around the world. Both adults and children can find something to enjoy here.

Tanga Market

Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History

Kanmon Strait Museum

The Kanmon Strait Museum is a unique marine culture-themed museum. Through rich exhibitions and interactive experiences, the museum showcases the strait's history, ecology, and its significance in international trade to visitors. The Kanmon Strait Museum features multiple exhibition halls covering various aspects from ancient navigation techniques to modern marine ecology. Visitors can experience the challenges and joys of ancient sailors navigating through the strait via simulated sailing experiences. Additionally, the museum has a marine life exhibition area that provides in-depth insights into the strait's unique ecosystem.

Akama-jingu Shrine

Akama-jingu Shrine is located in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and was built in 1185. The vermilion gate built near the Kanmon Kaikyo, with a view of the Dannoura Coast, is a symbol of Akama-jingu Shrine and was rebuilt in 1958. Inside the shrine grounds is the "Shichimori-zuka" mound, which commemorates the Taira clan who were defeated in the Battle of Dannoura Coast.

Kanmon Kaikyo

The Kanmon Strait connects Japan's Honshu Island and Kyushu Island. The southern shore of the strait is Shimon City in Fukuoka Prefecture, and the northern shore is Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, so it has the name "Kanmon Strait". The Guanmen Strait, formerly known as the Maguan Strait, was opened on November 14, 1973, across both sides of the strait. It is a special bridge for expressways. The natural landscape of the Kanmon Strait is unique and beautiful, and hundreds of ships gather here. The annual fireworks display is very grand, and tourists from all over the world will gather here. There are special tourist boats operating in the Tanghu Port and Moji Port areas of Shimonoseki City. The specific route is the Mon Strait Cruise Line, you can enjoy the boat trip to the fullest. The Guanmen Bridge is 1068 meters long and 61 meters above sea level. There will be 3 hours of lighting time a day. On the bridge, you can also enjoy the natural scenery of the strait. The more popular Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival is held in August every year. Fireworks will be released from the two venues of Shimonoseki and Mojigang. The fireworks will be accompanied by music. The floating boats on the strait will also launch fireworks. The huge fireworks launched by the strait amazed the audience, and more than one million people attended the scene.