Kitakyushu has all the natural beauty I long for in Japan. Mountains, forests, and sea come together on this journey to Enmeiji Rinkai Park.
Kitakyushu is slowly becoming my top pick for the most beautiful prefecture in Japan, and this walk up to Enmeiji Rinkai Park will prove exactly why.
Located at the northern tip of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, Kitakyushu (which literally means “north Kyushu”) is home to scenic mountain views, beautiful blue seas, and natural green forests.
Beautiful Boat Ports
I began my journey from Kokura station to Enmeiji Rinkai Park on foot, a route that was expected to take 35 minutes according to Google Maps.
However, the number of stops and double takes I took along the way increased this journey time to well over an hour. Each time I told myself “No more photos” I found myself naturally pulling out my phone for what would be “My official last photo” (it never was).
As you walk along the coast of Kitakyushu, it starts to sink in that you are just a step away from the big blue Eastern Sea of Japan. Port after port of anchored boats, ferries, and ships give you the feeling that you are about to set sail on a wild adventure around the world!
Lush Green Hills
It really is incredible how you can look one way and see the endless ocean stretching as far as the eye can see, yet when you look the other way you see lush green hills and forests with no ocean in sight.
That’s when you know you’re truly at the border between country and sea, and quite frankly, it’s an atmosphere like no other. The saltwater of the sea brings a detoxifying aura to the air, and the evergreen mountains produce limitless oxygen that refreshes you with every breath.
Get Active At Enmeiji Rinkai Park!
Eventually, you will stumble across an interesting setup of skate parks, basketball courts, baseball fields, and children’s playgrounds known as Enmeiji Rinkai Park.
If there was ever a park where children could let off their steam and adults could relax at the same time, this park was it! Surrounded by stunning blue seas and misty mountains, there are plenty of sitting areas where you can enjoy the atmosphere and if you have kids, there are plenty of activities for them too!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!