In this quick guide, I’ll tell you how to make the most of your one day in Kitakyushu, and you can do it all on foot!
Kitakyushu is the second-largest city in Fukuoka Prefecture. Located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, it typically comes with a warmer climate and beautiful coastal scenery along the Sea of Japan. Kitakyushu is definitely one of the lesser talked about places in Japan, but having spent two weeks here on my own, I’ve decided to compress the best parts of this scenic town into a one-day itinerary guide!
Spend The Morning At Kokura!
All of Kitakyushu’s major attractions are within walking distance of each other. Chances are you’ll disembark from its main train stop, Kokura Station, where you’ll be in the heart of Kitakyushu’s ancient castle town of Kokura. Here, you can visit the famous Kokura Castle and enjoy the Riverwalk Kitakyushu shopping complex along the Murasaki River. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy breakfast and coffee, including Freshness Burger and a massive Starbucks store.
Check Out Adachi Cemetery & Mt. Komonji
The best way to get an observatory view of Kitakyushu City is to head down to Mt. Komonji! About a 40-minute walk from the Kokura area, you will arrive at the base of Mt. Komonji, where the breathtaking Adachi Cemetery resides. I’ve always found Japanese cemeteries beautiful, each gravestone resembling a mini shrine made with silver-colored stone and engraved in calligraphy.
Adachi Cemetery has graves running all along a massive incline with spectacular mountain and city views at the top of the staircase. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike to the peak of Mt. Komonji, though I warn you, it’s a steep route! The views from the top of the mountain are truly unbeatable, though, encompassing the vast blue waters of the Sea of Japan and its many surrounding mountainous islands.
Dine & Chill at ChaCha Town!
By the evening, you’ll likely be pretty exhausted from a day on foot (especially if you hiked all the way up Mt. Komonji!). As such, a chill night at ChaCha Town is just what the doctor ordered! This hip shopping complex features some of Japan’s favorite restaurants like Hama Sushi and good old McDonald’s, and even has a movie theatre on the top floor! There’s also a massive Ferris Wheel that’ll give you awesome city views in an exhilarating way!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!