Kyushu's Northernmost City
Kitakyushu lies to the east of Fukuoka City and is Kyushu's northernmost city. The name Kitakyushu literally translates to 'north Kyushu.' From the Meiji Era onwards, the city has played a vital role as one of Kyushu's main industrial hubs.
Kitakyushu’s location made it a convenient point of trade with the Asian mainland, so the city has a long history of international relations with countries like Korea and China. The area was critical to Japan’s industrial advancements of the early 20th century, home to companies producing steel and coal. In more recent times, the city became a hub for Japan’s modernization, with several of Japan’s industry-leading companies still headquartered here since Mojiko (Moji Port) became an international trading port in the latter 19th century. Here at the port, the Mojiko Retro Highmart offers a 31st-storey observatory to survey the panoramic view of this northern part of Kyushu and the Kanmon Bridge connecting it to Honshu Island.
Then, take a five-minute ride on a liaison ship from Mojiko (Moji Port) to the other side of the strait at Shimonoseki’s Karato Market, where a bounty of fresh and inexpensive seafood awaits you and your appetite. As the closest city to Japan's main island of Honshu, Kitakyushu is the gateway between the two islands and is packed with sightseeing opportunities.
Kitakyushu’s location made it a convenient point of trade with the Asian mainland, so the city has a long history of international relations with countries like Korea and China. The area was critical to Japan’s industrial advancements of the early 20th century, home to companies producing steel and coal. In more recent times, the city became a hub for Japan’s modernization, with several of Japan’s industry-leading companies still headquartered here since Mojiko (Moji Port) became an international trading port in the latter 19th century. Here at the port, the Mojiko Retro Highmart offers a 31st-storey observatory to survey the panoramic view of this northern part of Kyushu and the Kanmon Bridge connecting it to Honshu Island.
Then, take a five-minute ride on a liaison ship from Mojiko (Moji Port) to the other side of the strait at Shimonoseki’s Karato Market, where a bounty of fresh and inexpensive seafood awaits you and your appetite. As the closest city to Japan's main island of Honshu, Kitakyushu is the gateway between the two islands and is packed with sightseeing opportunities.
