The Port of Kokura was created in 1963 by the amalgamation of several cities. The Inland Sea National Park contains part of its long coastline. The Port of Kokura is one of Japan's leading manufacturing centers.
Port History
The Port of Kokura is an ancient castle town and the center of the city of Kitakyushu, Japan. Ferries connect Kokura with Matsuyama on Shikoku, and Busan in Korea. Kokura obtained municipality status in 1900, and the City of Kitakyushu was created in 1963.
The Port of Kokura was meant to be the target of the nuclear “Fat Man” bomb in August 1945. But the city was covered by clouds and smoke from an earlier fire, and the mission went to its secondary target of Nagasaki. It was also the secondary target for the bomb that hit Hiroshima three days earlier. Now the Japanese talk about the “luck of Kokura.”
Port Commerce
The Port of Kokura is western Japan’s largest international trading port and distribution point and a main port connecting Japan with other Asian countries.
Today, the Port of Kokura is creating convention and water-front zones in an effort to make the City of Kitakyushu a hub for international trade. Located half-way between Tokyo and Shanghai, the Port of Kokura is a sight-seeing base in western Japan. Tourists receive sincere welcomes and wonderful hospitality.
Cruising and Travel
Visitors can experience the Japanese Edo period here, with visits to Kokura Castle and its Japanese Garden. Although the area enjoys four distinct seasons, the best time for travel to Kokura is between July and August to take advantage of their summer festivals. The new Kitakyushu Offshore Airport makes it possible to combine flying with cruise travel.
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