1. An ancient castle town – Kokura
As the metropolitan center of Kitakyushu, Kokura has been famous for its outstanding castle architectural since the Edo period.
The Kokura Castle was initially constructed by Hosokawa Tadaoki in 1602 (Keicho 7). Top visited tourist attractions there include:
The "Kokura Castle Garden" in which you can enjoy traditional Japanese cultures;
The "Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum" which offers many exhibits about Matsumoto Seicho, a world-renowned novelist.
2. Yahatahigashi-ku – Hobashira Cable
Tourists can get to the top of "Sarakura-yama Mountain" by way of Japan's longest cable car and Sarakura-yama slope car. From the mountain top, one can take in a complete view of all the beauty of Kitakyushu city. The splendid night view of Kitakyushu city is famous worldwide and is said to be "a night view worth 10 billion USD". It is one of the three most beautiful night views of Japan.
3. Kanmon straits – the Moji-ko Retro District
Moji-ko Retro is a historical area of Japan and an eye-catching Japanese tourist spot favored by international tourists. It includes many historical interests, and Makari is a perfect example. Moji is also an important seaport for international business.
Moji-ko Retro district boasts many interesting historic buildings which are still standing today. For instance, JP Kyushu's Mojiko Station is culturally important in Japan, OSAKA SHOSEN is known as a "Port Beauty", and the former Moji Mitsui Club once hosted Dr. Albert Einstein and his wife when they visited Japan in the 1920s.
4. Food culture – fresh fish
There is Hibikinada of the Sea of Japan at the northern part of Kitakyushu, and Suonada of Seto Naikai in the eastern part. In addition, Kitakyushu is located in a strategic position on the south side of the Kanmon Straits. This beneficial geographical location provides the city with plentiful and delicious fresh fish.
Known as Japan's favorite food, Kanmon balloonfish is very popular with tourists from all over the world.
5. Japanese manga (Japanese animated cartoon)
Japanese animation is a part of COOLJAPAN culture, and has become an entertaining industry around the world. Kitakyushu, as the originating place of the Japanese manga culture, has constructed a "Japanese Manga Museum" (temporarily named) in the metropolis center.
There are fashion costumes and dolls relating to Japanese manga, and this "Holy Land for Japanese Manga Fans" will come into being in 2012.
(Kitakyushu Travel and Tourism Information:http://www.kcta.or.jp)
