Guide for Enjoying Night Views in Kitakyushu City! Enjoying Japan's Finest Night Views and Savoring Local Cuisine

The most accessible destination using public transportation is Mount Sarakura. A free shuttle bus connects JR Yahata Station to the Mt. Sarakura Cable Car Base Station. Please check the operating hours in advance, as they may vary depending on the season, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. (It’s about a 10-minute ride. Check the operational status here. After arriving at the Mt. Sarakura Cable Car Base Station, take the cable car to the mountain top station, and from there, a slope car (pictured) connects to the observation platform station at an elevation of 622 meters on the summit of Mount Sarakura. The journey from the base station to the summit takes approximately 10 minutes one way. From the observation platform, a breathtaking panoramic night view unfolds, creating a romantic atmosphere that awaits your enjoyment.

The entire city wrapped in a romantic night view can be experienced in the Mojiko (Port) Retro Area. Located on the 31st floor of the high-rise apartment “Retro High Mart,” designed by the renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa, the Mojiko Retro Observation Room offers a panoramic view of the Kanmon Straits from a height of 103 meters. It's a popular spot for dates, where you can enjoy views of the Mojiko Retro Area, the Kanmon Bridge, and various sized ships traversing the Kanmon Straits.

Furthermore, various retro buildings such as the Former Osaka Shosen (pictured) and the Former Moji Customs, along with the JR Mojiko Station, the first railway station designated as a Japan’s Important Cultural Property, are illuminated as well.

You can also enjoy the unique night view of Kitakyushu City, with its industrial aspect, through a cruise. The “Kitakyushu Night View Regular Cruise” by Kanmon Kisen, departing from and arriving at Kokura Port, allows you to admire the industrial night view along the coastline, the night view of the Kanmon Straits, and the city lights from the deck.

Now let us introduce some dinner spots that you might want to explore after enjoying the night views (before sunset in summer). Kitakyushu City offers many local specialties that could be the highlight of your journey. The most bustling district is Kokura. In its compact area, numerous restaurants are within walking distance, so you can hop around many places.

Both locals and visitors from afar often flock to “Inaka-an.” The eel here is a masterpiece, with a crispy skin and tenderly grilled interior. Only completely additive-free condiments are used. One recommended dish is seiro-mushi, where rice is coated with eel sauce, topped with grilled eel and shredded omelet, and steamed to perfection.

If you want to savor various dishes with sake, we recommend the long-established izakaya “Shubo Musashi” in Kokura, with a history spanning over 70 years. They offer a diverse range of dishes, including sashimi of locally caught fresh fish, fried items, simmered dishes, and grilled skewers at affordable prices. In particular, the iwashi no jinda-ni (simmered and seasoned sardines) priced at 480 yen is a local specialty, so be sure to try it. From around October, they also serve individual portions of hot pot, making it a comfortable option for solo diners.

For a casual enjoyment of sushi made with fresh local fish, a conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi) is also recommended. The “Kaitenzushi Heishirou Amu Plaza Kokura Store,” located within Amu Plaza Kokura directly connected to Kokura Station, is a popular spot where you can savor the delights of the sea in Kyushu. The quality of ingredients and the skill level of the chefs are high, and you can order and taste as much as you like.

If you feel like having a bit more to eat after drinking, how about some finishing noodles? “Suke-san Udon,” beloved by the residents of Kitakyushu, is a must-visit spot during your stay in Kitakyushu. The Uomachi branch is open 24 hours a day, all year round. The flavorful broth and slightly soft, fluffy noodles complement each other perfectly. One popular choice is the niku gobo-ten udon, featuring crispy burdock tempura and sweetly simmered beef.

Once you've thoroughly enjoyed the night views and gourmet delights of Kitakyushu, how about getting some delicious local sweets as souvenirs? Let us share with you some recommendations – both must-buy and unique souvenirs – that locals also endorse.

If you were moved by the beautiful night views, why not take that memory home with you? The “Yakei Konpeito” (Night View Sugar Candy) was created in commemoration of Kitakyushu City being recognized as the top city in the “Three New Great Night View Cities of Japan.” The four-color variety represents the glittering night sky and city lights, while the white portrays radiant illumination. You can find it available for purchase at places like the Kitakyushu Omiyagekan (Kitakyushu Souvenir Shop).

When it comes to the widely recognized representative confectionery of Kitakyushu, Kogetsudo's kurimanju (chestnut bun) is a standout. This sweet has been a tradition since the store’s establishment in 1895 and is made by wrapping honey-soaked peeled chestnuts in a moist white bean paste that incorporates chestnuts. It's a popular choice for gifts as well.

A popular souvenir that reflects the manufacturing city of Kitakyushu is the neji choco (screw-shaped chocolate). Created in 2015 following the registration of the government-operated Yahata Steel Works-related facilities as a World Cultural Heritage site, this chocolate is shaped like bolts and nuts. They are delicately crafted to the extent that you can actually screw them together. Available for purchase at places like Gran Da Zur and the Kitakyushu Omiyagekan in the Mojiko area.