Discover Kitakyushu’s manufacturing spirit through museums, maps, local dining, and a dazzling factory night cruise.

Industrial Heritage & Night Cruise Tour

Kitakyushu is known as Japan’s “city of manufacturing,” playing a central role in the nation’s modernization. This course takes you through fascinating museums that highlight innovations from daily life to world maps, followed by dinner at a lively shopping complex, and concludes with a breathtaking night cruise among the city’s illuminated factories.

Duration : Half Day

Transportation : Car and walking

📍Places to visit on this course

  1. TOTO Museum

  2. Zenrin Museum

  3. Riverwalk Kitakyushu

  4. Factory Night Cruise

🚩START!

Kitakyushu Urban Expressway – Murasakigawa IC

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By car (4 minutes)

1. TOTO Museum

Uncover the surprising history of Japan’s toilets

Founded in 1917, TOTO opened this museum in Kokura in 2015 to mark its centennial. Visitors can explore how Japan’s water and sanitation culture evolved, from the nation’s first domestically produced flush toilet to today’s cutting-edge designs. Displays and films highlight both the craftsmanship and the company’s commitment to innovation.

📍 Basic Info

  • Address : 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-Ku, Kitakyushu City Within the TOTO Headquarters and Kokura First Factory premises

  • Phone : 093-951-2534

  • TOTO Museum Official website

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By car (8 minutes)

Tracing history through maps—fascinating and unexpected

2. Zenrin Museum

Dedicated to maps of Japan and the world, this museum showcases works from the 16th to 19th centuries, including rare Western maps of Japan and a full-scale reproduction of Tadataka Inō’s famous survey maps. By revealing the stories and cultures behind maps, the exhibits draw you into their unique appeal.

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (within the facility)

3. Riverwalk Kitakyushu

Shopping, dining, and local gourmet in one place

This multi-purpose complex houses shops, restaurants, and a cinema. For dining, the 1st floor offers cafés, while the 4th floor features “Taberiba Restaurant” and “Taberiba Garden” with around ten eateries. From casual bites to local specialties, Riverwalk provides plenty of choices to suit your taste and mood.

📍 Basic Info

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By car (8 minutes)

4. Factory Night Cruise

Marvel at Kitakyushu’s world-class factory nightscape

As the birthplace of Japan’s steel industry, Kitakyushu offers an extraordinary view of its industrial heritage illuminated at night. On this guided cruise through Dokai Bay, you’ll pass blast furnaces, chimneys, and steelworks glowing like a scene from science fiction. Sailing under the Wakato Bridge adds a touch of adventure.

📍 Basic Info

  • Address : 3-9-1 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City (Kokura Port: Ferry Terminal for Aoshima and Ushijima)

  • Phone : 093-331-0222

  • Kanmon Ferry Official website

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Kitakyushu Urban Expressway – Kokura Station North IC

🏁GOAL!

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By car (5 minutes)