Hosokawa Tadaoki helped in the victory of the Battle of Sekigahara, entered the area and started building a castle in 1602. It took seven years to complete. Then, it was occupied by Lord Ogasawara, but all but the stone wall was burned down in 1866. After WWII, upon the citizens’ fervent request, the castle tower was rebuilt.
Inside the castle tower, a grand theater is on the 1st floor, showing the 400-year history of this gate city connecting the main island and Kyushu. The 2nd floor has a display on the domain lords. The 3rd floor is about the mysterious lives of swordsmen Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro who had a fight at Ganryu-jima in the Kanmon Strait.
In the neighborhood, the ruins of Lord Ogasawara's villa was restored with a garden, and there is Kokura Castle Garden, a replica of the typical study in the samurai residence in Edo Period.
In the surrounding area, Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Hall dedicated to the author from Kokura, Shiro Terrace where souvenirs, food, drink and tourist information are available, and a large commercial facility, Riverwalk Kitakyushu. The whole area is developed as a park where residents can relax and enjoy cherry blossoms in spring.
Highlights
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In a walking distance from JR Kokura Station.
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The top floor of the castle tower offers a sweeping view over Kokura city.
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Many tourist spots around the castle.
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Famous for cherry blossoms.
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You will get to learn the 400-year history of Kokura Domain easily.
