Kokura Castle | Review by Eddie

Kokura Castle

The castle is within walking distance of JR Kokura Station. The only castle with a tower in Fukuoka, known for fantastic cherry blossoms.

29 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Kokura, of course you can't miss Kokura Castle. The castle isn't particularly large, but walking around the castle ruins and gardens, you can still get a sense of an old Japanese castle.

What I liked most was seeing Kokura Castle from different angles. The white walls paired with the dark roof look clean and neat. The surrounding trees and moat also give the whole area a quieter feel, so it doesn't feel like the kind of place where you just come to take photos, check in, and leave after seeing it.

If you happen to be traveling in Kitakyushu, I think it's worth setting aside some time to walk around here. There's no need to rush your itinerary—take your time exploring the area around the castle, look at the streets, and get a feel for how Kokura has a slightly different atmosphere from other big cities.

Other Reviews by Eddie

Ritsurin Garden

Used as a villa by the Matsudaira clan of Takamatsu, Ritsurin Garden was completed nearly 300 years ago by successive generations of feudal lords who renovated it. While the sprawling strolling garden covers 16 hectares, the total area of this park, including Mount Shiun in the background, extends to an impressive 75 hectares!
- Takamatsu
- Parks & Gardens
28 Sep 2026 See More

I arrived at Higurashi-tei in Ritsurin Garden just before evening, as the light in the garden was gradually growing softer, making it especially pleasant to walk around.

The maple leaves had also turned red, and as I walked along the pond, I occasionally saw broad stretches of red reflected on the water. I couldn't help but stop and take a few extra moments to look. Together with the pine trees and traditional buildings in the garden, it naturally created an autumn atmosphere.

I wasn't in any particular hurry to get anywhere, so I just strolled slowly through the garden, took photos, and enjoyed the scenery in front of me. By evening, Ritsurin Garden had become much quieter, which made it even easier to appreciate the character of the garden.
Fushimi Inari Taisha

It is the head shrine of about 30,000 Inari shrines which are traditionally familiar throughout Japan and the god is worshiped for bountiful harvests of grain, business prosperity, the safety of households, recovery from illness, and wish fulfillment. This shrine was established in 711 AD.
- Fushimi, Rakunan
- Shrines & Temples
28 Sep 2026 See More

At Fushimi Inari, there were just so many people that it was really hard to take a photo without anyone else in it 😂 Sometimes, just as I found a good angle, someone would step into the frame the next second. I took quite a few photos, but in the end, there were only a handful that I actually wanted to keep.

Still, it was only after walking through it in person that I could truly appreciate the charm of Fushimi Inari. The vermilion torii gates form a long, continuous path stretching into the mountain, and the sight is truly spectacular. I walked slowly along the way. Although it was crowded and I got a little tired after walking for a while, passing between the torii gates still felt very special.

Some places are hard to capture in photos, but seeing them in person can still be breathtaking. Especially when you turn around and look back at that vast stretch of torii gates, you can't help but stop for a little longer. Maybe that's what makes Fushimi Inari so appealing. Whether the photos turn out well isn't really that important. It's only after walking through and seeing it for yourself that you understand why this has always been such a popular attraction in Kyoto.
Kansai International Airport

Many domestic and international flights carry nearly 28 million people a year at this western Japan’s entrance, Kansai International Airport. It is on an island about 5km off the coast of Senshu in Osaka Bay, famous as the world’s first marine airport on a completely man-made island. The airport code KIX is used as the familiar nickname “KIX.”
- Kishiwada, Kansai Airport, Senshu
- Airplanes & Airport
28 Sep 2026 See More

When I left Osaka in January this year, I watched the sunset at the airport before my flight home and felt a little reluctant to leave. The sunset that day felt so peaceful that I couldn't help telling myself, “I definitely have to come back next time.”

I never expected those words to actually come true this December. I've already bought my plane ticket, and this time I'm ready to fully enjoy Osaka and eat plenty of good food, making up for all the places I didn't get to visit last time.

The airport itself may not be much of an attraction, but sometimes that's how travel is. A sunset you happen to see can stay in your memory for a long time. Watching the sky slowly turn orange-red was so, so beautiful. 🌅

I also really like this feeling—when you're leaving a city, but you're already looking forward to seeing it again.