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

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

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

In Kitakyushu City, chosen as one of the “Three New Great Night View Cities” in Japan, you can find breathtaking spots with incredibly beautiful nightscapes throughout the area. From cityscapes that spread like sparkling jewels to numerous spots for night views featuring beautifully illuminated bridges and castles, the options are plentiful. Before and after enjoying the night views, be sure to indulge in local gourmet dishes beloved by the locals. Also, consider selecting souvenirs that capture the essence of Kitakyushu – delicious local treats or items that reflect the region's traditions – to make lasting memories of your journey.

Table of Contents

How to get to Kitakyushu City

From Kitakyushu Airport, there's a convenient airport bus that connects to JR Kokura Station or The Outlets Kitakyushu. Additionally, from Fukuoka City's Hakata Station to Kitakyushu City's Kokura Station, it takes approximately 15 minutes by JR Sanyo Shinkansen and about 40 minutes by JR Express.

Let’s go see some beautiful night views Japan is proud of offer

A must-have for the nightlife in Kitakyushu City is the enjoyment of nightscapes. The most popular spot is Mount Sarakura, and there are also famous night-view locations scattered throughout the city, such as the Takatoyama Park and the Adachi Park. Additionally, tourist destinations like the Mojiko Retro Area, the Wakato Bridge, and the Kokura Castle are illuminated all the time, offering different atmospheres during the day and night. Moreover, Kitakyushu City has its unique charm with “industrial nightscapes,” showcasing the historical development of the city as an industrial hub.

The night view of Mount Sarakura, recognized as one of the “Three New Great Night Views in Japan”
The night view of Mount Sarakura, recognized as one of the “Three New Great Night Views in Japan”

An abundance of glamorous night view spots that will make your heart flutter

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 slope car on Mount Sarakura features a fully glass-covered design, providing a 360-degree panoramic view.
The slope car on Mount Sarakura features a fully glass-covered design, providing a 360-degree panoramic view.

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.

The view from the Mojiko Retro Observation Room. A place to savor a romantic atmosphere.
The view from the Mojiko Retro Observation Room. A place to savor a romantic atmosphere.

Details

Name in Japanese
皿倉山ケーブルカー
Postal Code
805-0057
Address
1481-1 Oaza Ogura, Yahata-Higashi-ku, Kita-Kyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-671-4761 (Sarakura Tozan Railway co.,ltd.)
Closed
Tuesdays (open on public holidays) and irregular closing days
Business Hours
Operation hours 10:00am - 10:00pm (last uphill ride at 9:20pm), From November to March until 8:00pm (last uphill ride at 7:20pm)
Fare
Round-trip combined ticket for the cable car and slope car is 1,230 yen
Parking
Available (near the Mt. Sarakura Cable Car Base Station)
Access
About 5 minutes by car from JR Yahata Station.
Note: There is a free shuttle bus from JR Yahata Station to the Mt. Sarakura Cable Car Base Station. Be sure to check the official website.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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.

Note: At present, only Mojiko Station and Tokyo Station have been designated as Important Cultural Properties among active station buildings.

The illuminated landmark presence of the Former Osaka Shosen (shipping office) in Mojiko
The illuminated landmark presence of the Former Osaka Shosen (shipping office) in Mojiko
The enchanting illumination of JR Mojiko Station is also captivating.
The enchanting illumination of JR Mojiko Station is also captivating.

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.

Enjoy the industrial night view from the sea.
Enjoy the industrial night view from the sea.

Kitakyushu foods to be enjoyed before and after night viewing

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.

The popular seiro-mushi. The sweet sauce drizzled over the rice is irresistible!
The popular seiro-mushi. The sweet sauce drizzled over the rice is irresistible!

Details

Name in Japanese
田舎庵 小倉本店
Inaka-an Kokura Main Store
Postal Code
802-0004
Address
1-1-13 Kajimachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-551-0851
Closed
They have irregular closing days during the New Year, Obon (mid-August), and the transition seasons of spring and autumn.
Business Hours
11:00am - 8:30pm (L.O.8:00pm)
Parking
Not available
Access
About 5 minutes walk from JR Kokura Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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.

They also offer original dishes that you can only taste there!
They also offer original dishes that you can only taste there!

Details

Name in Japanese
酒房 武蔵
Postal Code
802-0006
Address
1-2-20 Uomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-531-0634
Closed
Sundays and public holidays
Business Hours
4:30pm - 10:30pm (L.O.9:45pm), Closed at 10:15pm on Saturdays (L.O.9:30pm)
Parking
Not available
Access
About 5 minutes walk from JR Kokura Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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.

It’s a popular spot that attracts many locals as well.
It’s a popular spot that attracts many locals as well.

Details

Name in Japanese
廻転寿司 平四郎 アミュプラザ小倉店
Postal Code
802-0001
Address
Amu Plaza Kokura West Building 6F, 1-1-1 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-512-1224
Closed
Aligned with Amu Plaza Kokura
Business Hours
11:00am - 10:00pm (L.O.9:30pm)
Parking
Available
Access
Located within Amu Plaza, directly connected to JR Kokura Station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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.

An udon restaurant originating in Kitakyushu City. It has now expanded to over 60 locations.
An udon restaurant originating in Kitakyushu City. It has now expanded to over 60 locations.

Details

Name in Japanese
資さんうどん 魚町店
Postal Code
802-0006
Address
2-6-1 Uomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-513-1110
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
Open 24 hours
Parking
Not available
Access
About 5 minutes walk from JR Kokura Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

Highly recommended souvenirs capturing the essence of Kitakyushu

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).

In the Yakei Konpeito above, the left represents radiant illumination, while the right symbolizes the glittering night sky and city lights.
In the Yakei Konpeito above, the left represents radiant illumination, while the right symbolizes the glittering night sky and city lights.

Details

Name in Japanese
北九州おみやげ館
Postal Code
801-0853
Address
6-72 Higashiminatomachi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-321-6399
Closed
Irregular holidays
Business Hours
10:00am - 5:30pm
Parking
There are affiliated spaces available.
Access
About 8 minutes walk from North Exit of JR Mojiko Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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.

The renowned local confectionery representing Kitakyushu, Kogetsudo's kurimanju (chestnut bun). It offers a simple yet timeless flavor.
The renowned local confectionery representing Kitakyushu, Kogetsudo's kurimanju (chestnut bun). It offers a simple yet timeless flavor.

Details

Name in Japanese
湖月堂 本店
Postal Code
802-0006
Address
1-3-11 Uomachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-521-0753
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
9:00am - 7:00pm, Cafe 11:00am - 8:00pm (L.O.7:15pm)
Parking
Not available
Access
About 3 minutes walk from JR Kokura Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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.

A popular souvenir that offers both fun and a tasty treat, the neji choco
A popular souvenir that offers both fun and a tasty treat, the neji choco

Details

Name in Japanese
グランダジュール
Postal Code
800-0251
Address
1-12-23 Kuzuhara, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
Telephone
093-475-7700
Closed
Mondays
Business Hours
10:00am - 7:00pm
Parking
Available
Access
About 10 minutes walk from JR Abeyamakoen Station.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

Wrap-up

How was the travel plan for Kitakyushu, where you can enjoy impressive night views, savor plenty of local gourmet delights, and get unique local souvenirs? Kitakyushu City offers numerous spots for enjoying nightlife, so you can have fun from morning to night. For enjoying food in particular, hopping around various eateries is highly recommended.