🏯 Kokura Castle: A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Kitakyushu’s Samurai Legacy

#holidayitinerary
### **Why Visit?**
Kokura Castle (小倉城) is a **symbol of Kitakyushu’s feudal past**, blending Edo-era history with modern charm. Built in 1602 by Hosokawa Tadaoki, this reconstructed castle offers panoramic city views, cherry-blossom-filled grounds, and ties to legendary swordsman **Miyamoto Musashi**. Its unique "karazukuri" architecture (where the top floor is larger than the one below) and nearby retro markets make it a perfect day-trip destination from Fukuoka or Osaka .

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### **Top Highlights**
1. **Castle Keep & Museum**
- Explore **five floors** of exhibits, including samurai armor, a palanquin ride experience, and a diorama of Edo-period Kokura with 1,500 paper dolls .
- The **5th-floor observatory** offers 360° views of Kitakyushu and the Kanmon Strait .

2. **Katsuyama Park**
- **300 cherry trees** bloom in early April, creating a pink canopy perfect for hanami picnics .
- Spot the **Miyamoto Musashi monument**, honoring his 1634 stay at the castle .

3. **Kokura Castle Garden**
- A serene **Japanese garden** with a pond, teahouse, and reconstructed samurai mansion showcasing Ogasawara clan etiquette .

4. **Night Illuminations**
- The castle stays open until **20:00** (19:00 in winter), with dramatic lighting enhancing its silhouette .

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### **Solo Traveler Tips**
1. **Getting There**
- **From Kokura Station**: 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride (~¥700) .
- **From Fukuoka**: Take the Sanyo Shinkansen (16 mins, ¥2,210) or Nishitetsu bus .

2. **Tickets & Hours**
- **¥350** (castle only), **¥560** (castle + garden), or **¥700** (combo with Matsumoto Seicho Museum) .
- Open **9:00–20:00** (until 19:00 Nov–Mar) .

3. **Nearby Gems**
- **Tanga Market**: A 10-minute walk to this 100-year-old arcade for **yaki curry** and whale meat dishes .
- **Riverwalk Kitakyushu**: Shop at this Jon Jerde-designed complex or visit the art museum .

4. **Hidden Perks**
- Free **Wi-Fi** in the castle, and wheelchair-accessible routes .
- Try **"swastika engravings"** on stone walls—a clan symbol from the Edo period .

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### **Historical Layers**
- **Atomic Bomb Near-Miss**: Kokura was the primary target for the August 9, 1945 bomb, but fog diverted the plane to Nagasaki .
- **Musashi’s Duel**: The castle’s third floor features exhibits on his duel with Sasaki Kojiro at nearby Ganryujima Island .

**#solojapan #samuraihistory #kyushuhiddengem**
*Pro Tip: Visit early to avoid crowds, and pair with Mojiko Retro (25 mins by train) for a coastal contrast!* 🌊