Relax and recharge with map-inspired merchandise, local curry, and Japanese tea.

Art, Tea & Creative Moments: A Journey to Inspire Your Senses

A glass of green tea with floating herbs on a wooden tray. In the background, there is a floral arrangement and a wooden room divider.

Kitakyushu is full of experiences that spark inspiration. In this course, you’ll browse unique design goods, enjoy a beloved local curry, and relax with premium Japanese tea in a traditional setting.
A perfect half-day journey for travelers seeking creativity, calm, and a touch of Japanese culture.

Duration : Half day

Transportation : Car & Walking

📍Places to visit on this course

  1. Map Design GALLERY Kokura

  2. Curry House Eaton

  3. Salon du JAPON MAEDA

🚩START!

Kitakyushu Urban Expressway – Kokura Station North IC

By car (7 minutes)

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1. Map Design GALLERY Kokura

A retail store with wooden shelves filled with colorful products, mannequin displays, and small tables showcasing gift items, with a curved map design on the wall.

🛍️ Take Home Stylish Map-Themed Goods

A specialty shop filled with map-inspired items created by Zenrin. From stationery to eco bags, handkerchiefs, and mugs, many items feature modern or historical map designs—including rare Western-made Japanese maps. You can also find DIY kits to continue your creative journey at home.

📍 Basic Info

By car (10 minutes)

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2. Curry House Eaton

🍛 A Local Favorite—Loved for 40+ Years

Plate of beef stew with vegetables and rice, served with gravy and garnished with sliced green peppers on a wooden table.

Established in 1979, this long-loved curry shop evolved from a traditional family recipe. The curry incorporates Japanese culinary techniques, making it comforting yet deeply flavorful. Popular options include the limited-quantity “Eaton Special Beef Curry”. With more than 20 varieties available, there’s a favorite for every palate.

📍 Basic Info

By car (5 minutes)

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3. Salon du JAPON MAEDA

🍵 A Hidden Japanese Tea Salon Serving Premium Matcha & Sweets**

A white ceramic cup filled with bright green liquid, placed on a large rough-textured rock outdoors, casting a shadow on the rock. Green grass and shadows of tree branches are visible in the background.

A cozy Japanese tea salon operated by a tea merchant with 120+ years of history. Tucked away in a quiet alley, it offers a serene retreat. The tea master carefully selects and blends leaves from across Japan—serving gyokuro, sencha, cold brews, and seasonal specialty teas, each brewed with precision. Enjoy Japanese sweets alongside your tea for the perfect peaceful moment.

📍 Basic Info

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By car (6 minutes)

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Kitakyushu Urban Expressway – Otemachi IC

🏁GOAL!

  • A bowl of udon noodle soup topped with green onions, tempura, beef, and a fish cake, served alongside onigiri rice balls wrapped in seaweed.
  • A modern building with glass doors and windows, decorated with flags and signs, including a cartoon tiger mascot wearing a white hat and cape, outdoors on a sunny day with trees in the background.
  • A dessert served in a tall glass with various toppings like fruit, beans, and cookies, viewed on a tray with a blurred background.