Kokura Castle is absolutely worth visiting in the fall! I happened to catch the leaves changing, and the mix of red and yellow against the castle was unbelievably beautiful. Every photo turned out great.
The grounds aren’t too big, so it’s perfect for a relaxed stroll. You can enjoy the historic architecture while soaking in the autumn atmosphere.
The cool weather made it really comfortable to walk around, and the whole place felt clean and peaceful without being too crowded. If you’re visiting Kitakyushu in the fall, I definitely recommend adding Kokura Castle to your itinerary. It’s truly beautiful and super photogenic!
Kokura Castle | Review by KEIKO
Other Reviews by KEIKO
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Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Dazaifu Tenmangu is the head shrine of 10,000 different shrines across Japan dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. Sugawara was an acclaimed scholar who was deemed innocent posthumously after being exiled to Dazaifu by Kyoto’s Imperial Court. The main hall was built over his grave and has been preserved as a sacred site of Tenjin worship for over 1100 years.
Dazaifu is definitely worth a visit! Walking from the approach to the shrine, there are lots of unique little shops, tasty food, and souvenirs along the way, so it never gets boring to snack and browse as you go. The whole area feels very comfortable and full of traditional Japanese atmosphere, which makes it really relaxing to walk around.
The shrine is solemn and beautiful, and there’s lots of greenery around it, which makes everything feel very peaceful. If you’re visiting Fukuoka, I highly recommend setting aside half a day for Dazaifu. Whether you want to pray, take photos, or enjoy the food, it’s absolutely worth it. -
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Sarakurayama Observatory
It's an observatory from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kitakyushu city area. To reach the observatory at the summit of the 622-meter-high mountain, visitors take a cable car and a slope car.
Highly recommend taking the cable car up Mount Sarakura around sunset! The scenery on the way up is already beautiful, and once you reach the top, the night view feels totally worth it. You can see the whole sea of lights across Kitakyushu, and the view is amazing. It looks even more stunning in person than in photos.
The air at the summit feels so nice, and it’s a great place to take your time enjoying the night view and snapping some pictures. If you’re visiting Kitakyushu, I definitely recommend coming here in the evening. It’s romantic and relaxing, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again. -
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Tanga Market
Tanga Market, the kitchen of Kitakyushu citizens, is a 10-minute walk from JR Kokura Station. It has a nostalgic atmosphere as if you have time-traveled back to the "Showa" era.
Tanga Market is full of local charm and a great place to experience everyday life and culture in Kitakyushu. The market has all kinds of fresh seafood, prepared foods, snacks, and unique shops, and it’s really fun to walk around and eat as you go. The vendors are very friendly, and the prices are reasonable. It’s a great spot to take your time and soak up the local atmosphere.
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