Making the most of Kitakyushu
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise vessels berth a few minutes' walk from town. Moji is the city's main visitor district, valued for an appealing historic centre with several buildings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. It also has fine views of the imposing Kanmonkyo Bridge towards Shimonoseki.
Kitakyushu is Kyushu's northernmost city and has long been an important centre for road and sea traffic. It is both a gateway between Honshu and Kyushu and a significant international trading port. The present city was created in 1963 by combining five separate cities: Kokura, Moji, Yahata, Tobata and Wakamatsu. It remains strongly industrial and contributes substantially to Japanese manufacturing.
Getting around
For an unusual museum visit, try Kitakyushu's Toto Toilet Museum. Its displays trace a journey from modest beginnings to accomplished examples of modern Japanese design.
Money
Japan's currency is the yen. Banknotes are issued as ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000, with coins worth ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1.