Kitakyushu Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Two train stops from Kokura station, you can visit this charming town—sit on a bench and read or take a walk and enjoy the scenic view, two things that I love to do when I'm here. Perfect place to get some fresh air, whether on a breezy day out or a romantic stroll at night. The architecture here is rather quaint and pretty. You must also try the yaki curry here, the town specialty. It's baked curry with cheese and it's quite a treat. If you've got room after that, enjoy the fresh seafood or a cold one at their local brewery. There are also museums you can check out here after you're done at the plaza. If you go on a weekend, they usually hold events like antique car shows, vintage markets, ramen festivals, oyster fairs—you can consult a local events calendar or, if you're feeling spontaneous, just show up and be pleasantly surprised!

Moji was one of five cities that merged to form Kitakyushu City in 1963. It is the closest municipality of Kyushu in proximity to Honshu. Moji Port (門司港, Mojikō) has been prominent as an international trading port since the late 19th century. Today, although main port activities have been moved to a newer location at Shin-Moji Port, Moji Port retains its relevance as a tourist destination with a flavor from the past thanks to several well-preserved Western style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho Periods.

Kokura Castle (小倉城, Kokurajō) was built in 1602 at the beginning of the Edo Period. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1866, and the current castle tower is a ferro-concrete reconstruction from 1959. The castle's traditional architecture provides an interesting visual contrast to the neighboring modern shopping and entertainment center. The castle grounds are now known as Katsuyama Park and are a popular cherry blossom spot that is usually in bloom around early April. The castle keep seems to have four floors from the outside, but actually has five on the inside. The modern interior introduces the local history with displays, an interactive zone and a small theater where visitors can get a hands-on and visual experience of past castle life. The castle's top floor offers panoramic views over the city.

The Kitakyushu Manga Museum (北九州市漫画ミュージアム) introduces the history of manga (Japanese comics) with a focus on artists who have affiliations to Kitakyushu City. One of the more famous artists featured at the museum is Matsumoto Leiji, whose best known works include the Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999 series. The museum occupies the fifth and sixth floors of Aru-Aru City, a mall devoted to all things related to manga and anime, games and idol group paraphernalia. A permanent exhibition occupies the sixth floor of the mall, while temporary exhibitions can be found on the fifth floor.

The TOTO Museum (TOTO ミュージアム, Tōtō Museum) in Kitakyushu was opened on the occasion of the company's 100th anniversary and showcases the evolution of the business and its products. The elegant two-story building stands on the grounds of the company headquarters, has a showroom on the first floor and the museum on the second floor. The museum leads visitors through the history of TOTO, beginning with the first ceramic flush toilet seat developed in 1914 and the company's formal establishment in 1917 as a pioneer player in the ceramic sanitation industry at a time when most of Japan was still without a sewerage system. Old toilet seats are on display, as well as exquisite porcelain tableware that the company used to produce as a side business in the past.

**You may not able to visit Kawachi Wisteria Garden because flowers is avaialble to see in very limited terms. Please visit official website of Kawachi Wisteria Garden to check in advance.** Kawachi Wisteria Garden (河内藤園, Kawachi Fujien) is a private garden in the wooded hills south of central Kitakyushu, famous for its spectacularly presented, large numbers of wisteria flowers. The garden is opened to the public seasonally during the wisteria season which usually peaks around late April to early May and during the maple leaf season in autumn. *Advance reservation is required from mid April to the beginning of May. Please visit official website of Kawachi Wisteria Garden for the detail. * Opening season Wisteria Garden(End of April to Early May)/ Autumn leaves (Mid November to Early December)

A 2,041 ft. mountain in Yahatahigashi, I've been here three times with different people in different seasons. Once I went with my family on a Sunday morning, it was nice and windy, while eating bread and sipping coffee, we watched paragliders from a distance. The second time I went with friends for a simple night time drive up to the mountain. The view overlooking the city at night is spectacular. I've even heard that it's now one of the new three major night views of Japan. Third time, I went with a significant other and it was in winter, everything was blanketed in snow. So no matter what time or season you visit here, it will be beautiful no matter what. You can come up via the cable car, drive up or I hear even some people hike up—the view will still be scenic whether the leaves are green, red or speckled with white. There's an observation deck up top as well as a restaurant.

This is the bridge that connects Kitakyushu to Shimonoseki. Kanmon Bridge is very picturesque, it's a walk from Mojiko station but it's very scenic with the view of Kanmon Strait and boats sailing by, the skyline of Shimonoseki in the backdrop. There's also Norfolk square and a playground nearby and the underground tunnel that you can use to cross to Shimonoseki, if you don't want to take the ferry or drive through the bridge. You can also rent a bike to get around and also cross it through the underground tunnel, but you can only walk your bike as there is no biking allowed inside the tunnel. There's a line in the underground tunnel that you can stand on and be able to say—I'm at two places at the same time, A Walk To Remember style (if you've seen that movie). You'll be standing at Mojiko and Shimonoseki at the same time. Also, at two islands at the same time—Kyushu and Honshu island, because Shimonoseki is already part of Honshu island—one of the four islands of Japan.

Hiraodai is a countryside park in the south of Kokura. If you really want nature, this is the place to go. The mountain views are breathtaking and the air never smelled more cool and fresh. I went with my friends and we explored the limestone caves. We went to the Senbutsu cave and you can get free slippers if you're wearing sneakers because your feet will get wet! It's like an underground river, it's chilly and dark and very fun, especially if you like spelunking or in general just like to go exploring. There's also mountain climbing and other caves to explore so one visit might not be enough. Afterwards we ate at one of the restaurants in the village zone, rode the cute train that goes around the park, went grass sledding (there's grass hills where you can use plastic sleds to go down on) and then hung outside in the wild side grass and took photos.

I'd also like to add that Kitakyushu also has its own airport. It's very accessible, it's connected through five bus lines and there's car rentals and taxis. Whether you're flying in or out from domestic or international, you can go through this airport that's so clean with lots of restaurants--without the hustle and bustle from the really crowded and busier airports. So, there it is. And these are just my personal top ten, not including interesting museums, the friendliest people, the cleanest city ever, and so much more. Winter, spring, summer or fall—there's lots to do and see. Kitakyushu has won a place in my heart and just showcases how much Japan has to offer, and if you don't believe me, you'll just have to visit yourself!

Tanga Ichiba is called the kitchen of Kitakyushu, and has a history of more than one hundred years. About 120 stores, which handles local seafood, vegetables and delicatessen, are lined up inside this traditional ichiba (market). Visitors should try the nukamiso daki, a Kokura dish consisting of sardine and mackerel cooked with nukamiso (*2). It is filled with umami (a sweet and salty flavor) and goes very well with rice. Nukamiso daki can be purchased at various stores in Tanga Ichiba. The Daigaku don, a type of rice bowl, has been attracting attention recently at this market. Visitors first buy a bowl of rice at Daigakudo, a restaurant located inside the market, for 200 yen. After obtaining rice, they visit the other stores to purchase toppings, return to Daigakudo, and eat.