Know about Kitakyushu – Gururich! Kitakyushu｜Kitakyushu City Travel Guide

Kitakyushu City is situated in the northern area of Fukuoka prefecture, at the northernmost tip of the Kyushu island. The city faces the Honshu mainland with the Kanmon Strait running between. The city was established in 1963, through the merger of 5 cities, Moji, Kokura, Tobata, Yahata, and Wakamatsu, becoming the first government‐ordinance‐designated city aside from the 3 major metropolitan areas and prefectural capitals. Apart from being a large government‐ordinance‐designated city, it also coexists with the nature. Kitakyushu city is surrounded by 3 seas; “Hibiki-nada” with its volatile waves, the fast moving “Kanmon Strait,” and peaceful “Suo-nada” of Seto Inland Sea. In addition, nearby are Hiraodai (one of Japan’s 3 largest Karst regions), and Mt. Sarakura with its more than 200° panoramic view of the city.

Historical Buildings

Kitakyushu City is home to various historical buildings, such as (1) Kokura Castle, whose construction began in 1602 by Lord Tadaoki Hosokawa, (2)the first headoffice of the Imperial Steel Works, Japan, famous for being an integral player in the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" which contributed to the modernization of Japan starting from the end of the Edo to the Meiji period, and (3) the retro-styled buildings near Mojiko, a once thriving international port on par with Yokohama and Kobe from the end of the Meiji to the beginning of the Showa period.

Japan’s New Top 3 Cities with the Best Night Views

In 2018, Kitakyushu City was recognized as being one of the New Top 3 Cities with the Best Night Views in Japan. There are various ways to enjoy the night views. From atop the mountains, like the famous “Mt. Sarakura” and “Mt. Takato” which offers a view of red Wakato-ohashi bridge lit-up at night, or from the sea aboard a cruise ship, with night views of factories and cities.

A Wide Variety of Locally-Sourced Ingredients and Specialties

Due to being surrounded by seas and mountains, another one of its appeals is that it is blessed with abundant variety of locally-sourced ingredients. The city is full of fascinating gems from both the sea and the land; From the farmed “Buzen Oysters” that are raised in the ideal and serene sea where 3 rivers merge into, “Kokura-Beef” from Japanese black cattle raised with care for 20 months near the city and selected after rigorous inspections, to their proud high-grade “Ouma Bamboo Shoot”, raised in the largest bamboo farm in Japan.
In addition, there are plenty of “yummy” local specialties such as “Kokura Fried Udon Noodles,” “Curry & Rice Gratin of Moji Port”, and a tasty, healthy local cuisine called “Nuka-Miso Daki,” where blueback fish (mackerels and sardines) are stewed in soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), nuka-miso and Japanese pepper.

Numerous Festivities and Events

In Kitakyushu City, many lively festivities and fireworks are held almost every week during summertime. Highlights include one of West Japan’s largest fireworks shows, the “Kanmon Kaikyo Firework Festival”, with fireworks launched from both banks of the Kanmon Strait, and the “Tobata Gion Festival,” a registered UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In addition, there are a variety of events held throughout the year, from cherry blossom festivals in spring, wisteria festivals, and illumination events during the winter.