Kitakyushu City is located in the northern region of Fukuoka Prefecture, at the northernmost tip of Kyushu, and serves as a junction with Honshu across the Kanmon Straits. Located less than 20 minutes by bullet train from Fukuoka City, the gateway to Asia, Kitakyushu boasts a wealth of attractions, including Kokura Castle, Mojiko Retro District, Hiraodai (one of Japan’s three major karst plateaus), and the Sarakurayama Observatory (with a panoramic view of over 200 degrees). It also provides a range of delectable mountain and seafood delicacies. Kitakyushu City serves as an excellent hub for sightseeing excursions, offering convenient access to the highly sought-after destinations of Yufuin and Beppu.
Can’t Miss Attractions:
Kokura Castle
The Exhibition Hall inside Kokura Castle Tower was renovated and reopened in March 2019. There is also a stunning Japanese Garden next to the castle, where you can immerse yourself in all things Japanese culture, including traditional customs and tea ceremonies.
Retro Building Cluster (Formerly the Osaka Shosen)
Mojiko, or Moji Port, has flourished as an international trade port since the Meiji era. Take a walk through Mojiko’s history by visiting the former Moji Mitsui Club, Osaka Shosen and Moji Customs House, which are all still standing and look just the same as they did in the past! From the Mojiko Retro View Lounge, you can see the Kanmon Straits in one stunning sweep. Spend a day exploring the onsite souvenir and variety shops, and enjoy the restaurants and cafes for their tasty sweets, craft beer, and baked curry.
Mt. Sarakura
Chosen as one of Japan’s new “Three Most Spectacular Night Views,” Mt. Sarakura provides a majestic vantage point from which to appreciate the glimmering city lights that symbolize Kitakyushu City. Take a ride on the Sarakurayama cable car or the monorail if you wish to experience this fantastic scenery on a whole new level.
Kanmon Tunnel Footpath
A rare, 780-meter-long undersea tunnel provides a unique footpath connecting Honshu Island and Kyushu Island. In fact, the prefectural border is also inside the tunnel and serves as a very popular photo spot!
Kawachi Fujien (Wisteria Garden)
Kawachi Fujien, or Wisteria Garden, was chosen as one of Japan’s “31 Most Beautiful Places” by CNN (USA). An incredible variety of 22 different types of Wisterias bloom in here in the spring and more than 700 colorful trees fill the garden with crimson foliage in the fall.
Must-Try Foods:
Sushi
As Kitakyushu City is surrounded by a beautiful and clean ocean, there is a rich supply of fresh seafood. Restaurants serve original Kyushu-style sushi, unique from that which is found in Tokyo or other mainland cities. Some local restaurants have even been reviewed as serving some of Japan’s tastiest sushi!
Yahata Gyoza
Gyoza was developed as a stamina-boosting food for local steelworkers. The unique Yahata style, as found in Kitakyushu City, includes a citron and pepper condiment. The true charm of Yahata gyoza, however, is in the wide variety of cooking methods. Such cooking methods include homestyle, mom’s recipe, as well as the professional, which uses iron pans.
Kokura Nukadaki
Nukadaki is a local dish from Kokura’s castle town, dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The traditional version consists of mackerel or sardines boiled with highly nutritious nukamiso, a rice bran paste that has been pickled in salt. Locals usually have this dish with rice, or even liquor, as it is rich in umami. More recently, local souvenir shops have begun producing Nukdaki snacks, bringing this historical flavor into the modern era.
Yaki Udon
Many original Yaki Udon recipes can be enjoyed across a variety of restaurants centered in the Kokura area. The local style of Yaki Udon is unique in that it maintains the texture of dry noodles where the surface is crispy, but with a soft, doughy texture inside. To achieve this, and to enrich the flavor, a splash of rice wine is added to the oil right before the noodles are done frying.
Yaki Curry
The local style of Yaki Curry in Kitakyushu City is topped with toasted cheese and a half-boiled egg. Many restaurants around the Mojiko area serve their own unique take on this dish, try a few to see which one you like best!
A visit to Kitakyushu City provides travelers with a one-of-a-kind Japanese experience, from sites of historical importance to local versions of some of Japan’s most well-known foods. Bursting with color from cherry blossoms in the spring to rich foliage in the fall, Kitakyushu makes for a fantastic day trip from Fukoka any time of the year!
