An Evening Escape in Kokura: From Sauna Serenity to Seafood Delights

Unwind After Work: Evening Sauna & Seafood Course in Kokura

A metal container filled with large black stones in a room with wooden benches and large windows.

After finishing work early, why not take a short evening trip through Kokura’s heart?
Start with an inspiring visit to the Zenrin Map Museum, stroll across an iconic art-filled bridge, and then treat yourself to a rejuvenating sauna session at Kokura Sauna TOTONOI.
Finally, unwind with a seafood dinner and local sake at a long-loved izakaya — the perfect way to reset both body and soul before another busy day.

Duration : 3 hours

Transportation : Walking

📍Places to visit on this course

  1. Zenrin Museum

  2. Naka no Hashi (Sun Bridge)

  3. Kokura Sauna TOTONOI

  4. Izakaya Miraku (Kyomachi Main Branch)

🚩START!

JR Kokura Station

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On foot (10 minutes)

1. Zenrin Museum

Cityscape with modern buildings, the Zenrin Museum on a tall glass skyscraper, NHK building, and a mix of other colorful structures under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Discover history through maps — a fascinating journey through time.

Dedicated to the theme “Exploring World and Japanese History Through Maps,” this museum showcases centuries of cartography, from 16th-century European maps of Japan to detailed Edo-period maps by Tadataka Inō. Each exhibit reveals how geography shaped global connections, offering both history buffs and casual visitors an engaging experience.

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (7 minutes)

2. Naka no Hashi (Sun Bridge)

A quirky bridge that doubles as public art.

A white sculpture of a headless female figure is mounted on a mosaic pedestal outside on a city sidewalk. The sidewalk is decorated with colorful mosaic tiles.

Among the nine bridges spanning Kokura’s Murasaki River, the Sun Bridge stands out with its seven tubular-headed sculptures — affectionately called “macaroni people” by locals. The walkway mosaics of sunflowers and unique artistic design make it a fun stop for photography and a symbol of Kokura’s creative spirit.

📍 Basic Info

  • Address : 1-1-17 Basyaku, Kokurakita-Ku, Kitakyushu City

  • Phone : 093-541-4189 (Kitakyushu City General Tourist Information Center)

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On foot (8 minutes)

3. Kokura Sauna TOTONOI

A traditional Finnish sauna room with wooden benches and walls, a bucket with a ladle, and a window with wooden blinds letting in natural light.

Rejuvenate your mind and body in a modern urban sauna.

This sauna-centered relaxation spot offers multiple options, from traditional steam saunas to meditation-style dry saunas. After sweating it out, unwind in the outdoor lounge equipped with hammocks and cool-air baths. Private saunas opened in late 2022, making it a great choice for both men and women to experience the Japanese art of totonou — the ultimate sauna bliss.

For information on how to use Japanese saunas and hot springs, please refer to this article!

Enjoy Japanese hot springs!

📍 Basic Info

Pick Up!

Exterior of a building in Japan with signs in Japanese and a vending machine outside, under partly cloudy sky.

Try Japan’s fastest batting challenge at Mihagino Batting Center!

Since 1978, this retro-style facility has drawn players of all ages.
On special days, you can swing at pitches up to 250 km/h — faster than the bullet train!

🔗 Learn more here (external link)

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On foot (10 minutes)

4. Izakaya Miraku (Kyomachi Main Branch)

Assorted fresh seafood including sashimi, oysters, clams, and shellfish arranged on a platter with green leaves and garnishes.

Savor top-quality seafood and local sake at a beloved restaurant.

Founded in 1947, this long-standing izakaya is now run by its third-generation owner. Every morning, the chef handpicks the freshest seafood from the local market. Dishes like Tsurisaba sashimi, crab cream croquettes, and live squid sashimi pair perfectly with Kitakyushu’s local sake. A perfect finale to your evening in Kokura.

📍 Basic Info

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On foot (5 minutes)

JR Kokura Station

🏁GOAL!

  • Exterior of the Zenrin Museum building with a large maroon sign displaying the museum's logo and name. There are a few pedestrians and a bicycle parked outside.
  • A sculpture of a headless human figure with a large, elongated, round, and ribbed object replacing the head, standing on a city street. There are modern buildings and a pedestrian in the background.
  • Indoor space with wooden benches, a glass block wall, blinds, and a large metal container filled with dark rocks in the foreground.
  • A variety of sushi pieces including tuna, shrimp, and egg, along with garnishes and soy sauce on a decorative plate.