A tour to enjoy the Japanese traditional and modern life in Kokura!

Fukuoka | 4.5h

Explore the History of a Former Castle Town, Kokura!

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Explore the History of a Former Castle Town, Kokura!

Kokura still has many historic spots such as a castle, a castle town, historic streets, and traditional market but it also has modern structures like a commercial building, huge factories, modern market, and so on. You will appreciate the beautiful mix of traditional and modern life on this tour!
The attraction of the tour is a unique walk-and-eat experience at a market where monks of temples used to live. You will serve rice in a bowl and put a piece of raw fish, meat, and other side dishes yourself!
You will also visit a modern market, amusement district, Kokura Castle, a beautiful garden, and a hidden spot where you can have a panoramic view of factories in Kitakyushu!

Highlights

・Visit Kokura Castle which used to govern the town of Kokura and take a walk at around the castle town! You can also get into the beautiful castle and garden! The castle located in a modern town is amazing!
・Prepare your own rice bowl yourself at Tanga market! Try to interact with the people working there and have side dishes that are unique to Japan.
・Kokura has a district of huge factories and chimneys. You will visit a spot highly recommended by locals where you can have a panoramic view of the district!

Attractions

・Uomachi Ginten Street: Let’s start your tour at a modern shopping street. This is a shopping street that locals daily use! You can get a sense of Japanese modern daily life. It will be interesting that the shopping street you will visit later has a different atmosphere!
・Tanga market: A shopping street with many traditional tasteful shops! You can prepare your own one of a kind rice bowl at this shopping street. Chose your favorite shop and side dish! The interaction with the people working at those shops is also a must! Have an enjoyable and delicious experience!
・Kokura Castle Garden: Now we came to a historic spot. As you walk down the streets in the city, you will see an outstanding structure among the buildings, which is the Kokura Castle. Let’s visit the beautiful garden in the castle town at first!
Kokura Castle: Kokura has had forts and castles since the city is located next to the Kanmon Strait. This castle was built to prepare for war, but it had contributed a lot to the prosperity of the castle town during peaceful times. It has been Kokura locals’ favorite spots!
・Riverwalk Kitakyusyu: A new commercial building located next to Kokura Castle. There are a river and a park near it so you can feel the greenery! Don’t forget to visit the locals’ favorite shop! Your guide will tell you the spot where Kokura Castle is reflected on the surface of a river!
・Zenrin Map Museum: A rare museum operated by a map company. It is not well known but Kokura has much to do with maps! There is a hidden spot in the museum where you can have a panoramic view of the factories district!

Notes

・Please come in comfortable clothing, as this tour involves a lot of walking.
・We have not included any particular lunch/dinner places in this tour, but you are welcome to stop for a break and eat at resting spots.
・On Saturdays and Sundays ""ZENRIN Maps to the Future"" is closed. If any of the scheduled places are closed on the day you visit, your tour guide will take you to an alternative location.

Safety Measures

Expenses Not Included

The following expenses are not included in the tour fee. Please bring extra money to experience this tour to its fullest.
-Travel expenses and entrance fees (about JPY 1,000)
-Money for food, souvenirs and extra activities not mentioned in the explanation of the tour above.

Meeting Point

In front of the ticket gate on the third floor of Kokura Station, JR Line.

How to get to Kokura Station: Take the Sonic/Nichirin line from Hakata Station(42 minutes/2,320JPY). Or take the Express bus from Hakata Bus Terminal in front of Hakata Station(85minutes/1,130JPY).

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