Stroll through Kokura’s arcades, taste beloved local foods, and enjoy the seasonal beauty of historic Kokura Castle.

Local Gourmet & Kokura Castle Stroll Course

Two green tea-flavored parfait desserts with whipped cream on top, served in clear glasses on a wooden surface, with a blurred pink and white background.

Starting from JR Kokura Station’s south exit, stroll through the nostalgic shopping arcades leading to the iconic Kokura Castle, where cherry blossoms light up the spring season. Along the way, enjoy beloved local gourmet flavors and take home specialty treats adored by locals for generations. This half-day walking course blends history, food, and charming streetscapes.

Duration : Half Day

Transportation : walking

📍Places to visit on this course

  1. Okonomiyaki Ishin

  2. Tsujiri Teahouse Kokura Castle Branch

  3. Kokura Castle & Kokura Castle Garden

  4. Yosukou’s Pork Buns – Kokura Station Branch

  5. Shiroya Bakery Kokura Branch

🚩START!

JR Kokura Station

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On foot (10 minutes)

1. Okonomiyaki Ishin

Traditional flavors loved by locals

A bowl of poke with sliced octopus, chopped green onions, chopped tomatoes, and grated cheese, along with a tray of cooked Mexican dishes in the background, including carne asada and stir-fried noodles.

Kokura’s famous yaki-udon was born after WWII as a substitute for yakisoba. Ishin’s version features Wakamatsu saltwind cabbage, local sake Muhomatsu, a special “Battle Sauce,” and pork back fat—creating a one-of-a-kind taste. Try the original “Tenmado Kokura Yaki-udon” or creative varieties like Kokura Marucho Yaki-udon.

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (5 minutes)

Matcha sweets in front of Kokura Castle

2. Tsujiri Teahouse Kokura Castle Branch

Two Japanese-style parfait desserts in clear cups on a table. The left parfait has green matcha soft serve, cornflakes, red bean paste, and crispy cereal at the bottom. The right parfait has layers of green matcha and white whipped cream, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of green matcha powder.

Founded in Kokura, this long-established teahouse is beloved for high-quality matcha. At the Kokura Castle branch inside Shiro Terrace, enjoy treats like Tsujiri Matcha Parfait , KUZU Matcha Latte Whip, or a set of Uji matcha and Kokura Castle monaka. The matcha is sourced from Yame, Hoshinomura, and Uji.

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (on site)

3. Kokura Castle & Kokura Castle Garden

Cherry blossoms around a historic castle

A traditional Japanese castle surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom with pink petals, set against a clear blue sky.

Built in 1602 by Lord Hosokawa Tadaoki, Kokura Castle is a spring highlight with 300 cherry trees in full bloom. The view of the castle surrounded by blossoms is breathtaking. Nearby, Kokura Castle Garden features a beautiful pond-style landscape garden, perfect for a serene stroll with castle views.

📍 Basic Info

  • Address : (Kokura Castle) 2-1 Jonai, Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City / (Kokura Castle Garden) 1-2 Jonai, Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City

  • Phone : (Kokura Castle) 093-561-1210 / (Kokura Castle Garden) 093-582-2747

  • Kokura Castle Official website

A traditional Japanese castle viewed through cherry blossom trees, with pink and purple lanterns hanging from the trees and a few people in the background.

Pick Up!

During late March to early April, the Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom Festival fills the grounds with food stalls, stage shows, and nighttime illuminations.

Click here for details

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On foot (10 minutes)

4. Yosukou’s Pork Buns – Kokura Station Branch

Perfect takeaway souvenir

Steamed Chinese buns with meat filling on a decorative plate, accompanied by a small cup of tea and additional buns in the background.

For 60 years, Yosukou’s pork buns have been handmade with low-temperature fermented dough, creating a chewy texture filled with juicy pork and onion filling. The store is takeout only, selling pork buns and mini buns. Perfect for a snack!

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (Immediately)

5. Shiroya Bakery Kokura Branch

A beloved bakery since 1950

Two bread rolls on a wooden serving board against a white background.

A Kitakyushu staple, Shiroya offers over 30 types of breads and cakes displayed in nostalgic showcase style. Their two most famous items are the bite-sized Omelet, filled with fluffy whipped cream, and Sunny Pan, soft French bread with sweet condensed milk inside.

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (2 minutes)

JR Kokura Station Station

🏁GOAL!

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