Recommended Hotels in Kokura, Kitakyushu | Stay at a Major Terminal, the Gateway to Kyushu
Kitakyushu City is the northernmost city in Kyushu. Within the city, popular tourist destinations such as Moji and Kokura are scattered throughout Fukuoka Prefecture. Moji’s port area is perfect for sightseeing with its charming retro townscape. In contrast, Kokura is more urbanized, lined with large shopping malls and well-known restaurants. Both areas are must-see destinations when visiting Kitakyushu. This article will introduce recommended hotels in Kitakyushu, mainly focusing on Kokura.
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Recommended Hotels in Kokura, Kitakyushu | Stay at a Major Terminal, the Gateway to Kyushu
Kokura Area Has a Particularly Wide Range of Hotels
Kokura in Kitakyushu boasts a large number of hotels with diverse options. Most of them are within walking distance of Kokura Station, making them ideal bases for both business and sightseeing. Each hotel offers its own unique services and benefits, so be sure to check out this article before making a reservation. With its convenient location, you can easily access Moji, Shimonoseki, Fukuoka, Beppu, and more—making it a great hub for those wanting to explore the northern Kyushu area extensively.
1. Art Hotel Kokura New Tagawa
Art Hotel Kokura New Tagawa is located in the downtown area of Kokurakita Ward. It’s a 12-minute walk from JR Kokura Station’s south exit, a 2-minute walk from Monorail Tanga Station, and a 40-minute drive from Kitakyushu Airport, making it a convenient base for both business and sightseeing.
One of the hotel’s appealing points is its affordable pricing compared to other hotels in the Kokura area. While some regional hotels may lack a reliable internet connection, Art Hotel Kokura New Tagawa offers free Wi-Fi in all rooms, making it suitable not only for tourists but also for business travelers.
2. Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kokura Ekimae
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kokura Ekimae has a total of 175 rooms, including ladies’ rooms, making it a comfortable choice for female travelers as well. All rooms are equipped with a refrigerator and television, providing a pleasant stay.
It’s located just a 4-minute walk from JR Kokura Station, and is also within walking distance to major sightseeing spots such as Kokura Castle, Tanga Market, Uomachi Gintengai Shopping Street, and Riverwalk Kitakyushu. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and paid copy & fax services, making it highly recommended for business travelers as well.
3. Active Resorts Fukuoka Yahata
Active Resorts Fukuoka Yahata is a large-scale resort hotel with a total of 295 guest rooms. You can choose from Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, or a mix of both, and there are also great value plans that offer views of the night scenery.
All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, and satellite TV channels are also available. In addition, the hotel features a large public bath with hot springs and a sauna, offering plenty of amenities for solo travelers and families alike.
The hotel’s restaurants include highly regarded establishments serving Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. You can enjoy high-quality dishes made with local Kitakyushu ingredients. They also occasionally offer limited-time discount plans, so be sure to check them out.
4. APA Hotel〈Kokura Ekimae〉
APA Hotel Kokura Ekimae has a total of 224 rooms, making it suitable even for sightseeing in larger groups. Its location right in front of Kokura Station also offers excellent access.
All rooms include free Wi-Fi and the option to watch pay-per-view movies, allowing you to relax in comfort. Each room is also equipped with convenient amenities such as a complimentary tea set, providing peace of mind for your stay.
APA Hotel's popular breakfast buffet, offering a wide selection of both Japanese and Western dishes, is of course also available—helping you start the day energized.
5. Hotel 1-2-3 Kokura
Hotel 1-2-3 Kokura is a hotel known for its budget-friendly rates. It is conveniently located just a short walk from the Tanga Market, where you can enjoy local foods.
There are 110 rooms in total, with a variety of room types available. The hotel also offers family and triple rooms that can accommodate 2 to 3 people, making it a great choice for families or friends traveling together.
Breakfast is complimentary and offers a wide variety of menu items. Starting your day with a delicious meal is a definite plus that makes this hotel even more appealing.
6. Hotel Crown Palais Kokura
Hotel Crown Palais Kokura is an 11-minute walk from JR Kokura Station and is conveniently located near Tanga Market, Kokura Castle, and the downtown area. The Murasaki River flows right nearby, and across the river is a grassy park where you can feel close to nature.
The hotel offers a wide variety of room types, including a top-quality deluxe twin room—the most spacious in the hotel—three types of Western-style rooms, and warm, wooden Japanese-style rooms. The presence of Japanese-style rooms makes it a great option for family trips with small children. It's not just a place to stay, but a relaxing and comforting space.
7. Yamanoie Suimura HIRAODAI
Yamanoie Suimura HIRAODAI is ideally located for sightseeing and cultural experiences in Fukuoka. You can enjoy a peaceful and calming time, quite different from everyday life. It also offers good access to popular sightseeing spots and major tourist attractions in the city, making it an excellent base for your stay.
The facility provides services and amenities that are great for family travel, including family rooms and a completely non-smoking environment. Moreover, Senbutsu Limestone Cave is nearby, so exploring the cave is another enjoyable option. This is a hotel where you can feel nature and unwind in a way that is hard to experience in daily life.
8. JR Kyushu Hotel Kokura
JR Kyushu Hotel Kokura is ideally located for both sightseeing and business, just a 10-minute walk to Kitakyushu International Conference Center and the West Japan General Exhibition Center, and about 20 minutes by Shinkansen to Hakata.
The hotel has a total of 187 rooms, featuring a calming interior design with a white base and brown accents. The spacious layout, including wide hallways and thoughtfully placed switches and furniture, provides a relaxing atmosphere that helps relieve travel fatigue.
A complimentary breakfast service is also included, allowing guests to start their day comfortably.
9. Hotel Crown Hills Kokura
Although Hotel Crown Hills Kokura is classified as a business hotel, it offers rooms that can accommodate 2 to 3 people, making it convenient for families traveling for sightseeing. With 190 rooms available, it's also easier to secure a reservation.
The hotel features a large communal bath exclusively for guests, equipped with binchotan charcoal, which helps warm the body to the core and soothes fatigue.
It's about a 12-minute walk to Kokura Station, and within walking distance are popular tourist spots in Kitakyushu, such as Kokura Castle and Tanga Market, making it especially recommended for those visiting for sightseeing.
◎ Final Note: Kokura, the heart of Kitakyushu, is great for shopping and sightseeing
This article introduced recommended hotels in Kitakyushu, particularly around the Kokura area. Kokura has a wide selection of hotels, from business to sightseeing accommodations. We've carefully selected hotels with unique features, so please choose the one that best suits your travel needs.
Kokura is considered the downtown area of Kitakyushu, bustling with shops and attractions. It also makes a great base for traveling to places like Fukuoka and Beppu. Both Hakata and Beppu are about 1 hour and 10 minutes by train from Kokura.