Built in 1608, Kokura Castle stands tall in the stunning seaside city of Kitakyushu, a spectacle that gives Osaka Castle a run for its money!
Kokura Castle is located a short walk from Kokura station on the southern island of Kyushu in the city of Kitakyushu or “North Kyushu.”
To better explain this, Kitakyushu is located on the northern end of Japan’s southern island. This means it rests near the border of Kyushu Island and Honshu Island, Japan’s mainland island.
A Beautiful Moat Of Water
The water surrounding Kokura Castle (called a moat for those that didn’t know) provides a serene walk around Kokura’s village area.
Plenty of cafes and restaurants surround the castle, such as Starbucks, Freshness Burger, and, of course, Japan’s iconic Komeda’s Coffee.
See The Magnificent Koi Fish
They aren’t just empty waters though, as you’ll find some extra large koi fish swarming around the moat.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see a bright golden koi fish swimming alongside the black ones.
When you walk past them, they may assume you are going to feed them and will pout out of the water like so.
That being said, I don’t recommend feeding the fish, but feel free to wave at them and take photos!
A Himeji-Osaka Castle Crossover?
The best way I can describe Kokura Castle is like a mix of Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle.
While it has the black and white color scheme of Himeji Castle, it sports a similar architectural design to Osaka Castle.
However, Kokura Castle is not quite as large as Himeji or Osaka Castle, making it easily digestible and more photogenic for close-range shots.
It’s easy to take selfies up close and still capture the entire structure, making it great for your Japan photo album!
The Silver Torii Gate
Next to Kokura Castle is a large Torii Gate which proves equally popular among visitors of Kitakyushu.
A bit of a twist on the large orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, this one comes in a silver-gray color to match the theme of Kokura Castle.
You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gate which leads to more gates along the way, again, similar to Fushimi Inari-Taisha to some extent.
All-in-all, Kokura Castle is not quite as popularized as the likes of Osaka and Himeji Castles, but it certainly packs a punch!
The best part about Kokura Castle is that it’s never crowded with tourists like those in Kyoto and Osaka, so feel free to visit at any time of the day!
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!
