Kitakyushu Trip Overview
Enjoy a half-day tour of this ancient castle town with a local guide. When speaking of Fukuoka, Hakata is more famous, but did you know Kokura has Japan’s only TOTO toilet museum, spots rich with samurai and traditions, and fresh local produce and regional cuisine? In this tour, a local guide will show you all of Kokura’s highlights.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours
Starts: Kitakyushu, Japan
Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Rail Tours
Explore Kitakyushu Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
Enjoy a half-day tour of this ancient castle town with a local guide. When speaking of Fukuoka, Hakata is more famous, but did you know Kokura has Japan’s only TOTO toilet museum, spots rich with samurai and traditions, and fresh local produce and regional cuisine? In this tour, a local guide will show you all of Kokura’s highlights.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: TOTO Museum, 2-1-1 Nakashima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 802-8601 Fukuoka Prefecture
This museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of TOTO. You can enjoy learning about TOTO’s founding spirit, the history of Japanese toilets, and the history of inventive toilet development. There are plenty of hands-on exhibits comparing many types of toilets from Japanese style toilets to Western style toilets to those designed for sumo wrestlers. The museum shop has unique items made in collaboration with local companies.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kokura Castle, 2-1 Jonai, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-0813 Fukuoka Prefecture
Kokura Castle is a symbol of Kokura built from the end of the 16th century to the early 17th century. The castle tower is called a “kara-zukuri castle tower” because there is no roof knee between the 4th and 5th floors, and the 5th floor is larger than the 4th floor. In addition, the stone walls of the castle are a natural grass without cut stones. You can experience its unique and exciting atmosphere. From the 5th floor on the top floor, take in great views of Kokura city.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Kokura Garden, 2-1 Jyonai, Ogurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-0813 Fukuoka Prefecture
This pond style garden sits on the site of the old mansion of Ogasawara, on the east side of Kokura Castle. In the House of Manner and Etiquette, enjoy matcha (sencha) and seasonal sweets served in the tatami room. In the garden, you can enjoy the scenery while walking around the “Nozoki Pond” beside the mansion.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Tanga Ichiba, 4-2-18 Uomachi Ogurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 802-0006 Fukuoka Prefecture
Tanga Market is known as “Kitakyushu’s kitchen”. Most of the buildings were built around 1955, and you can feel the retro atmosphere of the Showa period. There are approximately 120 shops and many sell fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, meat, and ready made side dishes. There are also shops selling local cuisine called “Jinda-ni” and whale meat. Local university students run a small restaurant called “Daigaku-Do”where you can eat the ingredients you bought at the Tanga market as a rice bowl dish. Enjoy a lunch made from delicious local ingredients you just bought.
Duration: 50 minutes
