We had a couple of extra days in Fukuoka where we no longer had our rental car and after 3 weeks of road tripping, of course we had to seize the chance to take the Shinkansen before our trip to Kyushu was over!
Unbelievably the drive from Fukuoka to Kitakyushu takes 2 hours while the Shinkansen only takes 15 minutes (if you ever needed a really solid idea of how fast the Shinkansen really is!)
So we decided to plan a short day trip to Kitakyushu from Fukuoka. Hopefully this guide to our day trip will help you plan your trip and the best things to do in Kitakyushu.
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Kokura Castle Gardens
Where is Kitakyushu?
Kitakyushu is the city right at the top of Kyushu - Japan’s southernmost of the main islands. From Kitakyushu there is a bridge over to the very south of Honshu - the biggest island of Japan.
Kitakyushu Streets
How to get to Kitakyushu from Fukuoka
As I’ve mentioned it is possible to drive, but it takes 2 hours and the train is significantly faster!
You can take the train from Fukuoka Hakata Main Station and there are two train options:
the Shinkansen
the local/limited express trains
The Shinkansen takes just 15 minutes but is obviously more expensive. Our tickets cost 3,580 yen.
The Limited Express takes 40 minutes and costs 2,640 yen.
Because we hadn’t taken the Shinkansen at all on this trip, we opted for it to get to Kitakyushu but you can pick whichever option you prefer based on your budget and how much time you have.
If you’d prefer to visit as part of an organised day trip, this Kitakyushu day trip from Fukuoka includes transport from Fukuoka, Kokura Castle, Mojiko Retro and Miyajidake Shrine.
The best things to do in Kitakyushu, Japan
If you’re spending 1 day in Kitakyushu then these are the highlights for what to do in Kitakyushu while you’re there. We only had about 5 hours in the city, so I’ve also included a couple of other activities that I wish we’d had time for but unfortunately didn’t on this occasion, so if you have longer or even an overnight stay in Kitakyushu - these activities should keep you covered!
Kokura Station in Kitakyushu
Once you arrive at Kitakyushu Kokura station, check out the suspended monorail on your way out of the station - super fun!
Kokura Station
Kokura Castle
We walked from the station to the castle which took about 20 minutes.
We were really excited to see the castle as we actually hadn’t seen any Edo style castle architecture like these castles during our 2 weeks in Kyushu. The architecture there is so different compared to more well-known destinations in Japan.
I would recommend getting the combination ticket which includes both the castle and the Japanese Gardens, it only costs 560 yen.
You can walk into the castle complex, the grounds around the moat and the shrine for free, it’s only going into the castle itself and the Japanese gardens that require tickets.
The Yasaka shrine is worth a wander around, you’ll find it through the large torii gate up the path. We bought some amulets from there to take home as gifts.
The castle itself is home to an extensive museum with information about the castle’s history, the architecture and the history of the region, particularly Kitakyushu’s historically strategic position.
There are really interesting displays as well as interactive exhibits for families.
Across the moat you’ll find a small Japanese Garden. It's definitely one of the smaller Japanese gardens that I’ve visited but it is very quaint and you can enter the traditional Japanese style tea house and also participate in a traditional tea ceremony for an additional fee.
Kokura Castle Gardens
Kokura Castle Grounds
Kokura Castle
Kitakyushu City Hall Free Observation Deck
Just 5 minutes walk from Kokura Castle you’ll find the Kitakyushu City Hall.
On the 16th floor there is a free observation deck with beautiful views of the city but especially of the Kokura Castle below!
The City Hall observation deck is only open on weekdays. You can go in and take the elevator to the 15th floor. Then follow the red line which takes you upstairs to the 16th floor.
It’s a pretty basic observation deck but no one really seems to know about it apart from the workers who are in the building! So this is a great hidden gem for a unique view of Kitakyushu and unique things to do in Kitakyushu while you’re there!
Covered shopping street
Uomachi Gintengai Street is the covered shopping district in Kitakyushu and is similar to many other covered shopping streets in Japan.
We originally walked through here to take shelter from the sun but found it had an interesting selection of shops and food stores. My husband found a vintage sports jacket in one of the vintage thrift stores which he loved!
Indoor Mall Kitakyushu
River Walk
Along the waterfront is a more updated shopping area and sitting area with a deck looking out on the river.
There’s also a free aquarium called Kitakyushu River Museum although we didn’t visit it.
You can walk along this riverside trail to get to your next stop which is about a 25 minutes walk along the river.
Kitakyushu Canal
Kokura Castle moat
Toto Toilet Museum
Okay, this might be my favourite thing to do in Kitakyushu…
So most people are familiar with the iconic Japanese toilet experience. The brand TOTO manufactures most of these toilets.
Well TOTO is from Kitakyushu and to celebrate their 100th year, they opened this completely free museum which shares the history of sanitation in Japan, post-war domestic developments, what led to the creation of TOTO toilets and you can see the various iterations of TOTO toilets, washlets and Japanese bathrooms through the decades.
Honestly it was a fun and very informative museum. Made even more exciting by the fact that you can use their top of the line $10,000 toilet in the public bathrooms there - it certainly is an experience!!
Toto Museum
Toto toilets
Toto toilet seats
Toilet Motorcycle
Beer Curry
Yaki-curry aka Beer Curry is a local dish that’s best associated with the Mojiko Retro area where the Mojiko Beer Factory is located.
It’s a type of baked Japanese curry incorporating locally brewed beer and baked with cheese on the top - literally 3 of my favourite things in one bowl! Of course it’s also paired with one of the local beers too.
We went to the Mojiko Craft Beer Hall for yaki-curry for dinner and of course to try a couple of the locally brewed Mojiko beers brewed in Kitakyushu.
If you’re going to the Mojiko Retro area, right by the Kammon Bridge that takes you to Honshu, you can go directly to the Mojiko Beer House and try the local favourite there!
Mojiko Food
Mojiko beer
Moji Red Brick Place
While still part of Kitakyushu, Mojiko Red Brick Place was once the old Sapporo beer factory location in Kyushu. Now it’s a beautiful area of early 20th century red brick buildings that house a mix of cafes, restaurants and design studios overlooking the water.
We didn’t come here and personally I probably wouldn’t stop here unless you’re really keen to stop at the cafes or restaurants on your way to Mojiko - but it’s worth being aware of along the coast of Kyushu.
Kitakyushu Manga Museum
In central Kitakyushu, right by the station is the Kitakyushu Manga Museum.
There are huge galleries of work by popular Mango artists as well as murals and a Manga library.
Tickets are only 480 yen (£2.50) so if you’re a Manga fan this might be worth a stop if you’re in Kitakyushu.
Mioya Shrine
Located on the hills of Mt Adachi to the east of Kitakyushu city, this shrine can be reached from Kokura Station on the 8, 27 or 28 bus followed by a 10 minute walk.
This isn’t a big Shinto shrine but it does have a tunnel of Torii gates and beautiful views of the city - worth a stop if you’d like to get even further off the tourist trail!
Mount Sarakura
I didn’t go here on this trip but my husband did this the last time he visited Kitakyushu and said it’s a must-do if you have more time in Kitakyushu!
Mount Sarakura is located south of Kitakyushu city and offers a cable car up the mountain for stunning views of the city, particularly at dusk and night time when the city lights up. It’s also a famous spot for autumn leaves in Kyushu.
To get here, take the Kagoshima line from Kitakyushu Kokura Station to Yahata Station. It’s 3 stops and costs 340 yen and takes 11 minutes. From Yahata Station there is a free shuttle bus twice an hour that takes you from the station to the Sarakurayama Cable Car.
A round trip on the cable car to the observation deck at the top costs 1,230 yen.
At the top there are numerous walking trails as well as parks and gardens. Many people buy a single ticket so they can go hiking up here and then walk back down.
There are plenty of signposts for the trails and walking routes.
Located in this hilltop area is also Kawachi Fujien, the gardens that are home to the famous Kitakyushu wisteria tunnel that flowers in the spring.
Summary: things to do in Kitakyushu in one day
There’s no doubt that Kitakyushu is a very non-touristy city! It felt super local and laid back, very affordable and it’s a great option for a day trip from Fukuoka or a stepping point from Kyushu to Honshu.
And obviously if you’re a fan of the iconic Japanese toilet experience then a visit to the TOTO museum is a must!
