Kitakyushu

Travel Guide

Kokura Castle showing a river or creek, heritage architecture and a pond
Kitakyushu showing street scenes, cbd and a small town or village
Museum of Natural and Human History featuring interior views
Kitakyushu
Space World showing rides and a city
Modern cultural centers, shopping malls and theme parks stand near historic castles and idyllic gardens in this coastal Japanese city.

Kitakyushu readily celebrates the region's past, while also focusing on the future. Find 17th-century castles standing next to mega-malls. City youngsters celebrate 400-year-old festivals. Less intense than Tokyo, Kitakyushu still bristles with culture and energy.

Kitakyushu became a city only in 1963. It's fortunate to exist at all: The World War II nuclear bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki was originally intended for Kitakyushu. Historically, the area was of great geographical importance, serving as the gateway between Honshu and Kyushu and less than 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) by boat from Shanghai. Today, tourism and commerce are Kitakyushu's major industries.

Explore numerous levels of outlets at Kitakyushu Riverwalk, the city's biggest shopping mall. Bargain hunters should visit the 200 stalls of the monthly Green Park Flea Market. Stroll around the gardens surrounding Kokura Castle before finding out what life was like as a 17th-century royal. Delve deeper into Kitakyushu's past at the Museum of Natural and Human History. Brave thrill rides or enjoy milder family activities at Space World, the city's major theme park.

Kitakyushu has inspired many writers, including Mori Ōgai, Ashihei Hino and the crime novelist Seichō Matsumoto. Discover more about the latter in the museum dedicated to him near Kokura Castle.

Summer is the busiest season in Kitakyushu. July features three major festivals: Kurosaki Gio, Tobata Gion and Kokura Gion. At this time, Kitakyushu’s streets fill with floats, flags and lanterns. Come in August to marvel at Wasshoi Hyakuman Festival, a “super festival” that celebrates the creation of the city.

Kitakyushu Airport serves the city and is open 24/7. Take the hourly bus from the airport to Kokura station. Trains to and from Hiroshima, Okayama and Osaka are frequent, while some trains also connect to Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo. Public transportation in Kitakyushu is excellent Kitakyushu Monorail and Nishitetsu Bus cover the main areas. You'll make good use of these services as you explore every inch of this remarkable city.

Where to stay in Kitakyushu

Kokura Castle showing a castle, a pond and heritage architecture

Kokura

Well-liked for its breweries and hot springs, Kokura is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Kokura Castle and Yasaka Shrine, and jump on the metro at Tanga Station to get around the city.

Kokura
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Moji

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Moji. You might want to make time for a stop at Moji Port or Mojiko Retro.

Moji
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Kokuraminami Ward

Check out the parks during your time in Kokuraminami Ward. Hop around the Kitakyushu area on the metro at Yobuno Station to see top sights like Kokura Racecourse and Hiraodai Countryside Park.

Kokuraminami Ward
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Yahatanishi

You'll enjoy the museums and parks in Yahatanishi. You might want to make time for a stop at Kissho-ji Temple or Shiroyama Ryokuchi Park.

Yahatanishi
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Kurosaki

When in Kurosaki, you can plan a visit to Kitakyushu Municipal Children's Culture and Science Museum and Centre for Contemporary Art Kitakyushu, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kurosaki
Yahatahigashi showing interior views

Yahatahigashi

Well-liked for its mountain views and museums, Yahatahigashi is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Mt. Sarakura and Museum of Natural and Human History, and jump on the metro at Edamitsu Station to get around the city.

Yahatahigashi
JR Kyushu Station Hotel Kokura
JR Kyushu Station Hotel Kokura
4 out of 5
Asano 1-1-1, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
The price is P3,955 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P3,955
P4,350 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kitakyushu. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"The staff was friendly, helpful, and efficient with check in/out. The location is conveniently located at the JR main station in Kokura. Appreciated the location, accessibility and cleanliness of the hotel. I also felt safe being a solo traveler."

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2025

JR Kyushu Station Hotel Kokura
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
3.5 out of 5
2-14-2 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-ken
The price is P5,614 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
P5,614
P7,102 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 18 - Mar 19
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kitakyushu. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,021 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2024

RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
Premier Hotel Mojiko
Premier Hotel Mojiko
4 out of 5
9-11, Minato-machi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka-ken
The price is P3,050 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
P3,050
P3,691 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 8 - Apr 9
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kitakyushu. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"This is probably my most favorite part of Japan with it being less populated so it means people are more down to earth and less Americanized than the more popular parts of Japan. Also this hotel is cheaper than other you will find in the inner city."

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2025

Premier Hotel Mojiko
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rakuten STAY Kokura Station
Rakuten STAY Kokura Station
3 out of 5
1-chome-3-14 Komemachi Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Kitakyushu. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Karato Fish Market and Amu Plaza ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (183 reviews)
"convenient, clean, easy check in and check out, short walk from Kokura station. Exactly what we needed for a quick overnight between trains."

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2024

Rakuten STAY Kokura Station
GRAND BASE Mojiko
GRAND BASE Mojiko
3 out of 5
11-28 Nishikimachi, Moji, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kitakyushu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (101 reviews)
"for the prize ok"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2024

GRAND BASE Mojiko
FUKUOKA MOJIKO Stay
FUKUOKA MOJIKO Stay
3 out of 5
3-16 Moji Honmachi, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kitakyushu. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and slippers. Popular attractions Mojiko Retro and Karato Fish Market are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
"受付の方の対応も良く、オシャレでキレイでした! 受付で教えていただいたパン屋さんのモーニングも美味しかったです。"

Reviewed on Sep 2, 2023

FUKUOKA MOJIKO Stay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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