Kokura Castle
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.
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!












