Kitakyūshū, Japan

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Kitakyūshū, Japan

Region: Fukuoka

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Geographic Coordinates: 33.883300, 130.883000

Climate: Kitakyūshū has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, and experiences typhoons during the summer months.

Population: 935084

Language: Japanese

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Kitakyūshū is a city located on the northern coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. It is the second-largest city in Fukuoka Prefecture and has a population of approximately one million people. The city was formed in 1963 by merging five smaller cities and towns, Including Kokura, Moji, Tobata, Yahata and Wakamatsu. The city has a rich history dating back to ancient times when it was an important port for trade with Korea and China. In the 19th century, Kitakyūshū became an industrial hub due to its abundant coal reserves.

Today, It is still known as one of Japan’s leading industrial centers with steel mills and chemical factories dotting its landscape. Despite being an industrial powerhouse, Kitakyūshū also offers numerous attractions for visitors. One must-see spot is the Kokura Castle which was built in 1602 by Hosokawa Tadaoki. The castle has been restored to its former glory after being destroyed during World War II and now serves as a museum showcasing artifacts from the Edo period.

Another popular attraction in Kitakyushu is Moji Port Retro Area which features well-preserved Western-style buildings from the early 20th century when Moji Port served as an international trading port. Visitors can stroll through quaint streets lined with cafes and shops selling local delicacies such as mentaiko (spicy cod roe) or take a ride on the historic Mojiko Retro Train. For nature lovers, There are several parks within Kitakyushu that offer stunning views of both urban skylines and natural landscapes.

One example is Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of over twenty varieties of wisteria flowers blooming between late April to early May each year. Kitakyushu also boasts several festivals throughout the year that celebrate local traditions such as Tobata Gion Yamagasa, A summer festival featuring colorful floats and traditional music performances. Another popular festival is the Kokura Gion Daiko which takes place in July and features taiko drumming performances. In terms of cuisine, Kitakyushu is known for its seafood dishes such as fugu (blowfish) and squid sashimi.

Visitors can also try local specialties such as yaki-udon (stir-fried noodles), Motsunabe (offal hot pot), Or kawara soba (soba noodles served on a heated tile). Overall, Kitakyūshū offers a unique blend of history, Industry, Nature, And culture that makes it an intriguing destination for travelers to Japan. Its well-preserved historical sites combined with modern attractions make it an ideal location for those looking to explore both the past and present of Japan’s industrial heartland.

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1. Kokura Castle
2. Mojiko Retro
3. Space World
4. Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden
5. Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History
6. Hibikinada Green Park
7. Totoya Hokkei Museum
8. Yahata Hill Observatory
9. Riverwalk Kitakyushu
10. Kurosaki Gion Yamagasa Festival

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1. Steel manufacturing: The city is home to several large steel mills, including Nippon Steel Corporation’s Kokura Works.
2. Chemical industry: Kitakyūshū has a strong chemical industry, with companies like Mitsui Chemicals and Tosoh Corporation operating in the area.
3. Automotive manufacturing: Several car manufacturers have plants in the city, including Toyota and Nissan.
4. Energy production: The city has several power plants, including coal-fired power plants and a nuclear power plant operated by Kyushu Electric Power Company.
5. Port operations: Kitakyūshū’s port is one of the busiest in Japan, with shipping companies like NYK Line and MOL operating there.
6. Food processing: The city is known for its seafood processing industry, with companies like Maruha Nichiro Corporation based there.
7. Information technology: Kitakyūshū has a growing IT sector, with companies like Fujitsu Limited and NEC Corporation having offices in the area.
8. Tourism: The city attracts tourists from all over Japan due to its historical sites such as Kokura Castle or Mojiko Retro Town as well as its natural beauty such as Mt Sarakura or Kawachi Fuji Garden which attracts visitors during wisteria season (April-May).

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1. The Battle of Kokura: In 1866, the Chōshū clan attacked Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu during the Boshin War.
2. The birthplace of Tetsuro Watsuji: A prominent Japanese philosopher and historian who was born in Kitakyushu in 1889.
3. The birthplace of Michiko Shoda: The wife of Emperor Akihito was born in Kitakyushu in 1934.
4. Industrialization and Steel Production: After World War II, Kitakyushu became a major center for heavy industry and steel production.
5. Pollution Control Measures: In the 1970s, Kitakyushu implemented innovative pollution control measures that helped to reduce air pollution and improve environmental conditions in the city.
6. Yasuko Nagazumi: A famous manga artist from Kitakyushu who created popular series such as Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You).
7. Fukuoka Airport Bombing: In 1986, a North Korean agent bombed Fukuoka Airport near Kitakyushu as part of a terrorist attack on South Korea’s president.
8. Kurosaki Ichigo: A fictional character from the anime/manga series Bleach who is said to be from Karakura Town which is based on Kokura City within KitaKyusyu City limits.

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1. Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art
2. TOTO Museum of Art
3. Kokura Castle
4. Space World Amusement Park (currently closed)
5. Mojiko Retro Area
6. Yahata Steel Works Memorial Museum of Industry and Technology
7. Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center
8. Kawachi Fuji-en Wisteria Garden
9. Kyushu Railway History Museum
10. Wakamatsu Historical Site

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1. Giravanz Kitakyushu is a professional football club that was founded in 2007 and currently plays in the J3 League, which is the third tier of Japanese football. The team’s home ground is Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu.
2. New Wave Kitakyushu is a basketball team that was founded in 2011 and played in the National Basketball League until its dissolution in 2016. The team then moved to the B.League, Japan’s top professional basketball league.
3. Avispa Fukuoka (formerly Avispa Kitakyushu) has strong ties to Kitakyushu despite not being based directly there as it was originally founded as a merger between two local teams from Fukuoka and Kokura (now part of Kitakyushu) in 1982. The team currently plays in J2 League, which is the second tier of Japanese football.
4. TDK SC has a long history dating back to its founding as Towa Real Estate FC in the 1950s before changing its name to TDK SC after being sponsored by electronics company TDK Corporation. The team has won numerous regional titles and continues to compete at various levels within Japanese amateur football.
5. Waseda University Rugby Football Club (Kitakyushu Branch) is not technically a professional or semi-professional sports team but it has produced many famous players including former Japan national captain Takuro Miuchi and current international Shota Horie. The club’s branch based in Kitakyushu regularly competes against other university teams from around Japan as well as local amateur clubs.

Note: While there are other sports teams that have existed or currently exist within Kitakyūshū, these are some of the most notable examples with significant histories or achievements within their respective sports leagues or divisions.

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1. Kitakyushu Pop Culture Festival celebrates Japanese pop culture, including anime, manga, and video games.
2. Tobata Gion Yamagasa Festival is held in the Tobata district of Kitakyushu and features a parade of large floats adorned with lanterns.
3. Kokura Gion Daiko Festival is held in the Kokura district of Kitakyushu and features taiko drumming performances.
4. Wakamatsu Tengu Matsuri is held in the Wakamatsu district of Kitakyushu and celebrates the mythical creature known as Tengu with traditional dances and rituals.
5. Kurosaki Gion Yamagasa Festival is held in the Kurosaki district of Kitakyushu and features a parade of large floats decorated with colorful paper lanterns.
6. Riverwalk Summer Festival takes place at Riverwalk Mall during summer months, including live music performances, food stalls, and fireworks displays.
7. Moji Port Retro Illumination lights up Moji Port area with colorful illuminations celebrating its historical architecture during winter months.
8. Cherry Blossom Viewing Parties (Hanami) are organized throughout different parks in the city like Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden or Murasaki Mura Park during springtime for cherry blossom viewing parties.

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• Yaki-udon: a stir-fried noodle dish with vegetables and meat or seafood, often served at Izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) such as Kushiya.
• Mentaiko: spicy cod roe that is often served as a topping for rice or on its own. Try it at places like Kaneyoshi or Hakata Mentaiko no Sato.
• Tonkotsu ramen: a rich pork-broth based noodle soup that is famous throughout the Kyushu region. You can try it at Ichiran Ramen, Hakata Ippudo, or Nagahama Ramen.
• Fugu (blowfish): a delicacy that requires special preparation due to its toxicity if not prepared correctly. Try it at restaurants such as Takana in Kokura or Takaraya in Moji.
• Sushi: fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and Seto Inland Sea is abundant in Kitakyushu making sushi an excellent choice for foodies who love raw fish dishes! Some popular sushi restaurants include Umi-no-ie and Tairyo-zushi.
• Okonomiyaki: Japanese savory pancake made with cabbage, egg, meat/seafood/vegetables topped with sauce & mayonnaise; you can find this dish at places like Okonomiyaki Hiroshima-ya or Kijiya.
• Torikaraage : Japanese fried chicken; try it out at Torikaraage Yamachan.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden
2. Kokura Castle and Riverwalk Kitakyushu
3. Hibikinada Green Park
4. Space World Amusement Park
5. Kitakyushu Municipal Children’s Culture and Science Museum
6. Totoya Umi-no-mori Aquarium
7. Katsuyama Park Zoo
8. Wakamatsu Park and Art Museum
9. Kitakyushu City Museum of Art
10. Yasaka Shrine and Hiraodai Countryside Park

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Get Lost In The World.

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