オススメ度
外国語対応
About Kokura
Kokura is the center of Kitakyushu City, a city with a population of approximately 930,000, and flourished as a castle town of the Hosokawa and Ogasawara families during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Later, as the center of the Kitakyushu industrial area, it thrived as a center of commerce and heavy industries such as steel and metals.
But then, from the 1980s, Japan’s industrial structure changed, leading a gradual declined to present day.
Compared to Hakata, Kokura is a much less attractive tourist destination, and should be visited only if you have time.
Nearby Excursions
Since Kokura is located near Mojiko Port, it is more efficient to visit Kokura and Mojiko Port together.
Recommendation
Enjoy sightseeing, gourmet food and shopping.
Sightseeing
There is not much to see, but Kokura Castle and the Sarakurayama Observatory in the suburbs is worth a visit.
Tanga Ichiba, a traditional market, is also a fun place to check out.
Eat
Recommended are Seafood dishes (sushi and Japanese cuisine) and cheap and local foods like yakiudon (fried noodles), which originated in Kokura.
Shopping
There are several large shopping malls and department stores in the city center.
Access to Kokura
By Train
JR Kokura Station is also a terminal station and all services including Shinkansen stop there.
From Hakata
Kokura is located approximately 60 km northeast of Hakata.
By Train (JR Hakata Station–JR Kokura Station)
If you have the JR Pass, your only option is to take the Shinkansen.
They generally come every 8 to 15 minutes, and it is the fastest train, taking only 15 minutes.
The regular train is equally frequent, but takes much longer, about 70 to 85 minutes.
By Bus (Tenjin-Kokura Station)
From Tenjin, the center of Hakata, buses are a possible option.
Bus fares are very cheap, but the drawback is that it takes about 90 minutes from the Nishitetsu Tenjin Express Bus Terminal to Kokura Station. For timetables and other information, please refer to the following:
By Airplane
The nearest airport to Kokura is Kitakyushu Airport.
There are more than a dozen flights a day to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) and one flight a day to Okinawa.
By Bus
It takes 40-50 minutes from Kitakyushu Airport to Kokura Station Bus Center by limousine bus.
Sightseeing
Historic sites
Kokura Castle
Kokura Castle was built by Tadaoki Hosokawa (1563-1646), an influential warlord, over a period of seven years from 1602, and is a symbol of Kitakyushu. Unfortunately, the castle was completely destroyed by fire in 1837 and 1866, but was finally rebuilt in 1959. On the castle grounds are a zone where visitors can learn about […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 2-1 Jonai, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 20 min. walk from JR Kokura S[…] |
| Tel | 093-561-1210 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Markets
Tanga Market
Tanga Market is called the “kitchen of Kitakyushu. It began as a riverside fish market in the 1910s, and took its present form around 1955. Centered on an old-fashioned-looking arcade extending approximately 180 meters from north to south, 120 stores selling fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, meat, and prepared foods are lined up, creating an […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 4-2-18 Uomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 10-minute walk from JR Kokura[…] |
| Tel | 093-513-1555 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Observatories/Nightscapes
Sarakurayama Observatory
Sarakurayama has long been famous for its excellent views. From the base of the mountain, take the cable car and slope car to the summit, which is 622 meters above sea level, in about 10 minutes. *The cable car and slope car run every 20 to 30 minutes. At the top of the mountain, there […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1481-1 Ogura, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | [ Free Shuttle Bus ] C[…] |
| Tel | 093-671-4761 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Shopping
Commercial Facilities
Amu Plaza Kokura
A commercial complex located at the south exit of JR Kokura Station. The main focus is on fashion, but there are also a variety of restaurants offering quick and easy food and snacks. The restaurant district “Kokura Shuku Ekikara Sanjyuppo Yokocho” is conveniently located just outside the ticket gate (1st floor) and is open until […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-1-1 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 minute walk from JR Kokura […] |
| Tel | 093-512-1281 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
River Walk Kitakyushu
A large-scale commercial complex adjacent to Kokura Castle. In addition to apparel and general merchandise stores and restaurants, there is also a movie theater, theater, and art museum.
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-1-1 Muro-machi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 10-minute walk from JR Kokura[…] |
| Tel | 093-573-1500 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Eat
Sushi
Several famous and high quality sushi restaurants are in Kokura, 3 Michelin-starred sushi restaurants to be exact.
Sushi Tsubasa
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-3-24-2F Uomachi, Kitakyushu Kokurakita-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 8 minutes from JR Kokura Stat[…] |
| Tel | 093-953-8282 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Edomae Sushi Nikaku
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-4-31, Adachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 10-15 minuites by car from JR[…] |
| Tel | 093-531-2442 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Ten Zushi Kyomachi Store
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-11-9, Kyomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | JR小倉駅徒歩5分 |
| Tel | 093-521-5540 |
| URL |
Cheap eats “Yaki Udon”
Yakiudon originated in Kokura, created in 1945 as a substitute for yakisoba.
Although its history is short, it is now famous nationwide as Kokura’s local dish.
The characteristic of Kokura’s yakiudon is the use of dried noodles, which gives it a chewy texture.
The thin noodles are also well mixed with the slightly burnt sauce.
Ingredients include pork belly, cabbage, and onions.
The following are restaurants to check out.
Daruma Do
The originator of yakiudon in Kokura. The yaki udon is 500 yen, and the “Kokura set meal,” which includes yaki udon with a small dish and miso soup, is very reasonably priced at 750 yen.
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-4-17 Uomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushyu, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Access | 5 minute walk from JR Kokura […] |
| Tel | 093-287-5215 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
