Kitakyushu Attractions|Kitakyushu Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots. Continued from the Top 100 Castles—Kokura Castle
#100 Ways to Travel
Attraction: Kokura Castle
📍Address: 2-2, Kokura Kita-ku, Jōnai, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
🕰️Business hours: 9:00-20:00 from April to October, 9:00-19:00 from November to March
💰Average consumption: ¥350
💞Recommendation reason:
#Kitakyushu City #Kokura is an important transportation hub, connecting the Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen, heading south to Oita or Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima: Going north, you can connect to Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture and head towards Honshu. At the same time, it is also an important stronghold in history. As a major transportation route between Japan, China and South Korea, Kyushu's strategic location cannot be ignored. Therefore, many famous generals of the Warring States Period were assigned to Kyushu to guard it and stay in the city. Among them, #Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu is one of the representatives.
Transportation Tips: Kokura Castle is located in the city center. Walk straight along Seiharu-dori Street in front of JR Nishi-Kokura Station for about 10 minutes to arrive. Walk along Heiwa-dori Street in front of JR Kokura Station to the Monorail Heiwa-dori Station, turn right when you see the 7-11 convenience store, and walk slowly for about 20 minutes. There are many shops, restaurants, and shopping centers along the way. You can also take the monorail from JR Kokura Station, get off at Heiwa-dori Station, and walk straight after you see the 7-11 convenience store. Take bus No. 27 or 28 from the JR Kokura Station Bus Center and get off at Kitakyushu City Hall; or take bus No. 8, 9, 36, 43, 45, 46, or 138 and get off at Muromachi River Walk.
Kokura Castle was built in about seven years in the early Edo period. After renovation in recent years, it has many more interactive facilities. The ticket price is only 350 yen, 200 yen for junior high and high school students, and 100 yen for elementary school students. The first floor displays the castle town, where you can experience the lifestyle of the past. There is also a screening room where you can learn about the 400-year history of Kokura Castle in just 10 minutes. The second and third floors exhibit the historical figure of Kokura Castle - Hosokawa Tadaoki, related history, and models of armor and samurai swords used during the war. #Tenshukaku is a linked tower-type tower. The top floor is in Tang-style (also known as "Nanban-style"), using "outer encirclement" (i.e. floors and railings set on the outside of the tower wall). From a high vantage point you can overlook the scenery around Kokura Castle, and nearby you can also visit the Kokura Castle Garden, Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Hall, and Yasaka Shrine.