Half-Day Kokura Walking Tour including TOTO Museum

This museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of TOTO. You can enjoy learning about TOTO's founding spirit, the history of Japanese toilets, and the history of inventive toilet development. There are plenty of hands-on exhibits comparing many types of toilets from Japanese style toilets to Western style toilets to those designed for sumo wrestlers. The museum shop has unique items made in collaboration with local companies.

Kokura Castle is a symbol of Kokura built from the end of the 16th century to the early 17th century. The castle tower is called a "kara-zukuri castle tower" because there is no roof knee between the 4th and 5th floors, and the 5th floor is larger than the 4th floor. In addition, the stone walls of the castle are a natural grass without cut stones. You can experience its unique and exciting atmosphere. From the 5th floor on the top floor, take in great views of Kokura city.

This pond style garden sits on the site of the old mansion of Ogasawara, on the east side of Kokura Castle. In the House of Manner and Etiquette, enjoy matcha (sencha) and seasonal sweets served in the tatami room. In the garden, you can enjoy the scenery while walking around the "Nozoki Pond" beside the mansion.

Tanga Market is known as "Kitakyushu's kitchen". Most of the buildings were built around 1955, and you can feel the retro atmosphere of the Showa period. There are approximately 120 shops and many sell fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, meat, and ready made side dishes. There are also shops selling local cuisine called "Jinda-ni" and whale meat. Local university students run a small restaurant called “Daigaku-Do”where you can eat the ingredients you bought at the Tanga market as a rice bowl dish. Enjoy a lunch made from delicious local ingredients you just bought.