Introducing model courses in Kitakyushu and Kokura! ｜What spots can you visit in half a day?

[Starting from Kokura Station]

All of the sightseeing spots in Kokura that we'll introduce in this article are located near the Kokura Castle Gate of Kokura Station, so let's start from there!

At the Kokura Castle Gate, you'll find the Kokura Station Bus Center, which has a shopping mall and buses going to Kitakyushu Airport. First, let's walk down Heiwa Street.

[Tanga Market] Enjoy local gourmet food!

Tanga Market is about a 10-minute walk from the Kokura Castle Gate of Kokura Station. Known as the kitchen of Kitakyushu, it's packed with local specialties!

You can find rare ingredients at shops specializing in whale meat or hormone dishes, making it fun just to browse.

You can also find fresh seafood, side dishes, vegetables, and fruits. There are also restaurants, so it's perfect for lunch or a break. You can enjoy dishes like Kyushu tuna, Tango udon, and cafe fare.

Let's Eat Canapé at Kokura Kamaboko!

If you talk about the specialty of Tanuki Market, it’s the canapé of “Kokura Kamaboko”! It’s made by mixing fish paste with onion and carrot, wrapping it with thin bread, and deep-frying it.

The inside is fluffy and the outside is crispy, it's a delicacy!

You should try the canapé, corn tempura, and mentaiko cheese tempura! They were all delicious and are also recommended as an appetizer with alcohol.

[Lunch] Try the famous baked curry!

If you've come all the way to Kitakyushu, you'd want to try the famous local cuisine, right? Baked curry is famous as a specialty of Moji Port, but you can also eat it in front of Kokura Station.

This time, I'll introduce a shop located on the B1 floor of SAINTcity (Saint City), right next to Kokura Castle Gate.

[Kari Honpo TokiDoki M'cafe] A popular spot for baked curry

Kari Honpo is a popular shop for baked curry located in front of Moji Port Station. At "Kari Honpo TokiDoki M'cafe", the first shop in Kokura, you can easily enjoy the baked curry of that famous shop.

＜Black Wagyu Beef Baked Curry＞

You can try the black Wagyu beef-baked curry! The soft black wagyu beef will melt into the curry and it is delicious. The cheese on top and the egg inside was mixed with the cream and it matched perfectly. It will make you want to eat it again.

[Kokura Castle] Explore the castle tower and garden!

If you visit Kokura, a must-see spot is Kokura Castle. It's about a 15-minute walk from Kokura Station. Located right in the city, there's also a shopping mall called "Riverwalk Kitakyushu" nearby.

Kokura Castle is situated within Katsuyama Park. Along with the castle, there's a beautiful garden and a facility called "Shiro Terrace" where you can buy souvenirs, making it a place packed with attractions.

Kokura Castle Tower

Known as a famous cherry blossom spot, Kokura Castle is also recommended for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). After undergoing renovations since 2018, the castle reopened in 2019.

The entrance to Kokura Castle. The castle has floors from the first to the fifth, offering exhibits that explain the history of Kokura Castle, a mini-theater, and interactive attraction corners, making it a great place to visit with children.

From the observation floor on the fifth floor, you can enjoy panoramic views of Kokura Castle Garden and the city of Kokura. There are also sofas where you can relax.

The castle has an elevator, so even those who have trouble with stairs can feel at ease.

[Kokura Castle Garden]

Located at the foot of Kokura Castle, the garden is a cultural facility with a tea house and exhibition building. Despite being in the city, it offers a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

[Shiro Terrace] The perfect place to buy souvenirs!

If you're looking to buy souvenirs that can only be found in Kokura, "Shiro Terrace" is highly recommended. With a great selection of sweets and miscellaneous goods, they also sell popular items from Kitakyushu like "Neji Choco."

Inside the facility, you'll find Kokura's long-established tea shop "Tsujiri Chaho," where you can enjoy matcha, matcha shiratama, anmitsu, and more. It's a perfect spot for a break.

[Kokura Illumination] A must-see during the winter nights!

Every year from late October to early January, Kokura hosts the "Kokura Illumination."

The area around JR Kokura Station and Shibakawa is beautifully lit up, making it a must-see for visitors during this time.

The monument on the Ogai Bridge (Waterbird Bridge) spanning the Murasaki River is a perfect photo spot.

This tunnel, also located on the Ogai Bridge, is designed to resemble a wisteria trellis. The entire city is wrapped in beautiful illuminations, so be sure to visit!