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Kitakyushu City |
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Kitakyushu, Where the Past Meets the Future
URL: http://www.city.kitakyushu.jp/pcp_portal/
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Kanmon Strait and Mojiko Retro District |
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The Kanmon Strait separates the main island from Kyushu.
This strait is where a number of major events in Japanese history occurred; there are many historical sightseeing spots
and events here, such as the Mekari Festival. The Strait has long been a strategic point for marine traffic, and prospered
from the Meiji era to the Taisho era as an international trading port. Presently, this area is one of the representative
sightseeing areas of northern Kyushu. Major historical facilities in this area include such elegant western-style buildings
as JR Mojiko Station, which has been designated a national important cultural asset, the Old Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. Building,
highly praised as 'the beauty of the port,' and the Old Moji Mitsui Club, where Dr. and Mrs. Einstein once stayed. In addition
there are a number of popular sightseeing facilities in the area, such as the KAIKYO DRAMASHIP, which specializes in the Strait
and the Kyushu Railway History Museum, which is admired by railroad buffs. At night, buildings, ships and piers around the Port
are lit up to create a fantastic scene. For visitors, the view from the observation room of Mojiko Retro District is a must-see.
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| Mojiko JR Station |
Old Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. Bldg. |
Old Moji Customs Bldg. |
Kaikyo Dramaship |
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| Kyushu Railway History Museum |
Norfolk Square |
Night Fantasy |
Kanmon Strait |
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Castle town Kokura |
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Kokura is located at an important point for both marine and land traffic. Since the Edo era,
Kokura has flourished as a castle town. Kokura Castle, the symbol of the town, was founded by Tadaoki Hosokawa in 1602.
The only castle remaining in Fukuoka Prefecture, it attracts many tourists. The castle precincts include Kokura Castle Japanese Garden,
where visitors can learn traditional Japanese rules of decorum, and Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum,
a memorial to the world-famous writer and his great achievements. For these reasons, this area is known as the cultural area of Kitakyushu.
To enjoy dietary culture in Kitakyushu, tourists should visit the Tanga Market at the center of Kokura. The bustling market is home to
numerous shops serving various specialties, including local fresh foods and delicacies. Although it provides residents with daily foods,
it is also popular with tourists as a sightseeing spot for enjoying lively local color.
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| Kokura Castle |
Kokura Castle Japanese Garden |
Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum |
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| Tanga Market |
Murasakigawa River |
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Wakamatsu Area |
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Wakamatsu is a port town linked to the other side of the bay by the vermillion Wakato Bridge and shuttle ferries.
In the old days it was the largest port for shipping coal from Japan. The aged townscape, with the old red brick building of
Furukawa Mining Co., Ltd., a scene that looks as though it came straight out of an old movie, reflects the prosperity of
those days. Mt. Takato offers a panoramic view of Wakato Bridge, Dokai Bay, Wakamatsu Area, Tobata Area, Yahata Area and as
far as the Kanmon Strait. At night, the beauty of this mountain cannot be missed. To the north, the Wakamatsu Area is bordered by
a beautiful coastline.
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| Old building of Furukawa Mining Co., Ltd. |
Waita Beach |
Wakato Passenger Ferry |
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Yahata-Higashida and Hobashira |
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The Higashida Area attracts the most attention in Kitakyushu today. A representative site in this area is Space World,
where visitors can enjoy various attractions and theatrical shows. The Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History,
where visitors can trace the 'History of life' for human beings and nature, from the beginning of the earth 4.6 billion years ago to
the present day, is also in this area, as is the Kitakyushu Environment Museum, which provides information on the history of Kitakyushu in
overcoming pollution and environmental problems. From the Higashida Area, visitors can view Mt. Sarakura, 622 meters above sea level,
rising in the hilly sections. The mountain also features the longest cable railway in Kyushu, with a sky lift that carries the passengers
to the summit, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view. The night view of the panorama that gleams as though studded with jewels is known
as the 'million dollar night view.'
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| Night view of Mt. Sarakura |
Hobashira Cable Car |
Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History |
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| Kitakyushu Environment Museum |
Space World |
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Festivals |
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Summer in Kitakyushu is a festive season. The summer festival in Kokura, called Kokura Gion Festival, is a nationally
renowned festival in which drums play the major part. During this soul-stirring festival, drums are beaten from the both
sides to the sound of gongs called 'Jangara.' In the Tobata Gion Festival, in which lanterns predominate, the floats are
decorated with gorgeous banners during the daytime, but at night they are radically transformed into lantern floats.
The resulting pageant of light is paraded like a picture scroll from ancient times. The Kurosaki Gion Festival
(designated a national important intangible cultural heritage) is a soul-stirring event, of floats brilliantly
decorated with dolls and other ornaments, accompanied by music from trumpet shells. The Wakamatsu Port Festival is conspicuous
for its Goheita Bayashi, musical accompaniment comprising the rhythmic percussion of barrel drums, as well as for its Goheita boats.
As the highlight, a parade of 2,000 torchbearers ascends Mt. Takato on the last day of the Port Festival. These summer festivals are
concluded by the Wasshoi Summer Festival in Kitakyushu, the City's largest festival, which takes place around Kokura Castle and along
Komonji Street. This festival of prosperity features a parade, the Hyakuman dance and a fireworks show, and various summer festivals
in and outside of the city are held in one place.
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| Wasshoi Summer Festival |
Kokura Gion Daiko Festival |
Wakamatsu Port Festival |
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| Kurosaki Gion Festival |
Tobata Gion Festival |
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Fireworks |
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Fireworks give poetic charm to summer in Japan. At the Kanmon Strait Firework Festival, held on August 13 each year,
fireworks are set off from Moji, and across the Strait, from Shimonoseki City. Fireworks simultaneously set off from the
two places light up the night sky both near and far; both coasts are crowded with viewers. Furthermore, the Kukino-Umi Firework Festival,
held late in July each year around Wakato Bridge across Dokai Bay, is one of the major events of the Wakamatsu Port Festival.
At that event a set piece of fireworks called 'Niagara,' which resembles a waterfall, is displayed at Wakamatsu Bridge, fascinating all viewers.
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| Kukino-Umi Firework Festival |
Kanmon Strait Fireworks Festival |
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