GoWithGuide
Fukuoka Private Tour - Kokura Castle and Yasaka Shrine
Kokura Castle and Yasaka Shrine
Fukuoka Private Tour - TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
Fukuoka Private Tour - TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
Fukuoka Private Tour - Explore Tanga Market
Explore Tanga Market
Fukuoka Private Tour - Hike across the Hiraodai Karst Plateau.
Hike across the Hiraodai Karst Plateau.
Fukuoka Private Tour - Kokura Castle Japanese Garden
Kokura Castle Japanese Garden
Fukuoka Private Tour - TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
Fukuoka Private Tour - TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
Fukuoka Private Tour - Kokura Castle
Kokura Castle
Fukuoka Private Tour - Explore Tanga Market
Explore Tanga Market
Fukuoka Private Tour - Explore Tanga Market
Explore Tanga Market
Fukuoka Private Tour - Kokura Castle
Kokura Castle
Fukuoka Private Tour - TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight
Fukuoka Private Tour - Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine
Fukuoka Private Tour - Hike across the Hiraodai Karst Plateau.
Hike across the Hiraodai Karst Plateau.
Fukuoka Private Tour - Thumbnail Photo
Thumbnail Photo

Kokura (Kitakyushu): Castle, Local Market, Japanese High-Tech Toilets & Majestic Karst Landscape

Unique Experience
Fukuoka Tour Guide - Katsu N.

Joined 2024

Katsu N.
4.94 / 5
(34 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Fukuoka
English, Japanese (Native)
10 hours
Private tour (only you and Katsu N.)
Up to 7 people

Discover the many sides of Kitakyushu on a full-day trip from Fukuoka. Explore Kokura Castle and its samurai heritage, experience local food culture at Tanga Market, and discover Japan’s unique toilet culture and technology at the TOTO Museum. In the afternoon, leave the city behind and hike across Hiraodai, one of Japan’s largest karst plateaus. Enjoy history, local life, technology, and nature all in one day.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:00 AM

Meeting Point

Your Hotel in Fukuoka City

- I am located within a 20-minute drive from Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Station, and Hakata Port, so if you book a hotel near these facilities we can ensure a smooth meeting.

Hakata Station

Travel by standard train from Hakata to Kokura.

09:30 AM

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle was developed by feudal lord Hosokawa Tadaoki from 1602 and later ruled by the Ogasawara clan for 234 years. Known for its unusual Karazukuri design, with the top floor larger than the one below, the reconstructed castle is now a symbol of Kitakyushu. kokura-castle.jp


- Admission Fee: Kokura Castle & Kokura Castle Garden Combination Ticket

700 JPY per adult / 400 JPY for junior high and high school students / 200 JPY for elementary school students

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine, located beside Kokura Castle, has a history of about 400 years and is dedicated to Susanoo, a deity associated with protection from illness and misfortune. Its peaceful grounds offer a glimpse into Shinto traditions alongside Kokura’s samurai heritage.


- Admission Fees: Free

Kokura Castle Japanese Garden

Kokura Castle Japanese Garden recreates the former residence and garden of the Ogasawara clan, who ruled Kokura for over 200 years. Visitors can enjoy a traditional strolling garden, a reconstructed samurai-style Shoin residence, and beautiful views of Kokura Castle reflected in the pond.

Explore Tanga Market

Tanga Market, known as the “Kitchen of Kitakyushu,” has a history of over 100 years. Its lively lanes are filled with fresh seafood, vegetables, meat, prepared dishes, and local specialties such as nukadaki, offering visitors an authentic taste of everyday food culture in Kokura.


- Admission Fees: Free

12:30 PM

Lunch Time: Tanga Market or the Nearby Shopping Arcade

Tanga Market is conveniently connected by a short walk to two covered shopping arcades, where you can find a wide variety of restaurants and local eateries. From Japanese cuisine and fresh seafood to ramen, meat dishes, cafés, and other options, I should be able to accommodate almost any lunch preference depending on your interests that day.

01:30 PM

TOTO Museum: My Personal Highlight

Before visiting this museum, you may already have been impressed by the cleanliness, advanced technology, and convenience of Japanese toilets at airports, train stations, hotels, and other places during your trip. The TOTO Museum is, in a sense, the culmination of Japan’s knowledge, technology, and innovation in toilet culture.

Through actual products and historical exhibits, the museum shows how Japanese toilets evolved from basic sanitary equipment into sophisticated products designed for comfort, cleanliness, water efficiency, and convenience, including the famous WASHLET.

The museum also offers a fascinating look at Japan’s emphasis on cleanliness and its culture of using technology to improve everyday life. And of course, you can experience some of TOTO’s latest toilet technology yourself in the museum’s restrooms.


- Admission Fees: Free

02:30 PM

Travel by local train and shared taxi.

03:30 PM

Hike across the Hiraodai Karst Plateau.

Hiraodai is one of Japan’s largest karst plateaus, known for its vast grasslands dotted with countless white limestone formations. Shaped by nature over millions of years, its unusual landscape offers beautiful panoramic views and an enjoyable hiking experience through a completely different side of Kitakyushu.


- Admission Fees: Free

04:30 PM

Travel by shared taxi and train.

Hakata Station

06:00 PM

Farewell time: Your Hotel in Fukuoka City

See you again:)

Ending Point

Your Hotel in Fukuoka City

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

- Guide fee

- Transportation Costs for the Guide Only

- Guide gratuity

What‘s not included

- Public Transportation Costs for Guests (Train and Shared Taxi): Quoted individually depending on the meeting time, train schedule, and number of participants. Please contact me for details.


- Admission Fee:

**Kokura Castle & Kokura Castle Garden Combination Ticket**

700 JPY per adult / 400 JPY for junior high and high school students / 200 JPY for elementary school students

Tour Important Information

1.If you want to do cashless payments on your entire itinerary, please let me know in advance. I will need to have a payment machine ready.


2. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Fukuoka Tour Guide - Katsu N.

Joined 2024

Katsu N.
4.94 / 5
(34 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Katsu N.

Hi, I’m glad you found my page!

I’m a local guide based in Kyushu who loves sharing the region’s history, food, and landscapes in a relaxed and friendly way. Think of me as someone who can make your trip comfortable and memorable, while keeping things easygoing and fun.


I began guiding to share the history, scenery, and food of my home with visitors from around the world. Before this, I worked in luxury retail, where I learned how important details and genuine hospitality are. Now I bring that same spirit to my tours, making sure every guest feels comfortable, cared for, and free to enjoy their journey.


I specialize in private car tours around Kyushu, so you don’t have to worry about train schedules or carrying luggage. We can stop where you like, take things at your own pace, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Onboard you’ll have free Wi-Fi, music, and a comfortable ride—perfect for families, couples, or friends who want both convenience and a touch of luxury.


Some of my favorite places to share are:


Nagasaki: Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the city’s cultural blend


Fukuoka: Dazaifu Shrine, city highlights, and Yanagawa’s river cruise with eel dishes


Kumamoto: Mt. Aso’s volcanic views, Kumamoto Castle, and Kurokawa Onsen


Oita: Hita’s riverside town, plus Beppu and Yufuin hot springs


Saga: Arita’s ceramics and the Yoshinogari ancient site


Takachiho Gorge: A mystical canyon tied to Japanese legends


What I enjoy most is helping guests discover both famous sights and hidden corners of Kyushu, while keeping the experience comfortable and stress-free. Whether you’re drawn to culture, food, history, or beautiful scenery, I can adjust the plan to match your style.


I’d love to share my part of Japan with you and create memories that last long after your trip. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to send me a message. I look forward to welcoming you to Kyushu and showing you what makes this region so special!

Reviews

“An Outstanding Guide Who Made Hubbys 60th Birthday Truly Special!”

If you’re visiting Nagasaki, I cannot recommend Katsu highly enough! He was absolutely outstanding, and our day with him was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Katsu was warm, friendly, incredibly knowledgeable and wonderfully prepared. He even had a binder filled with fascinating historical facts and photographs that brought Nagasaki’s history to life. We visited Dejima Trading Post, the Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park and other historic sites. We enjoyed spectacular city views, explored Glover Garden and saw the beautiful Oura Cathedral. Katsu also took us to a fantastic Wagyu beef restaurant, Yakiniku Pure, for a delicious lunch, followed by a lovely stop at June Coffee. What made Katsu exceptional was his thoughtfulness. I have a minor mobility issue, and he made sure the pace was comfortable without us missing out. He also had an incredible talent for finding parking spots right beside every attraction! It became a running joke, and we had such fun teasing him about his parking skills. He even found a Pokémon-themed manhole cover for me because he knew I loved Pokémon. It’s these little touches that make someone truly special. The most touching moment was when Katsu surprised my husband with a beautiful ceramic gift for his 60th birthday. It was an incredibly kind and unexpected gesture that we’ll always treasure. Katsu’s knowledge, kindness, humour and genuine care made our day unforgettable. He wasn’t simply showing us Nagasaki; he was making sure we had a wonderful experience and created lasting memories. If you’re considering a private tour in Nagasaki, book Katsu! You absolutely won’t regret it. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would happily tour with him again. Thank you, Katsu, for making Drew’s milestone birthday so special!

“Amazing time in Takachiho Gorge with Katsu!”

We had a wonderful time with Katsu on our road trip to Takachiho Gorge. It was the perfect relaxed schedule that allowed for last minute changes and just amazing views and experiences. Special thanks to Katsu for securing a boat for us at Takachiho Gorge in advance of the trip (amazing he was able to do it!!) and being unflappable when my daughter had a (very unwarranted) panic attack over going near the volcano (thank you, Katsu!!). It was an absolutely lovely day - we couldn’t have asked for more. I highly recommend this tour and highly, highly recommend going with Katsu on it. You will have a wonderful time!

Judy W.

Katsu N.

Judy and everyone, thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! /// I’m very happy to hear that you all enjoyed your day in Takachiho. Reservations for the boats at Takachiho Gorge have been getting more and more difficult, but I was very happy that I was able to secure one for you this time and that you could enjoy the beautiful scenery from the water. /// For my private tours, I believe it is important not only to follow the planned itinerary, but also to remain flexible depending on the situation and the pace of my guests. So I was especially happy to hear that you enjoyed the relaxed schedule and flexibility of the day. /// And please don’t worry at all about what happened during the tour. Unexpected situations can happen while traveling. What matters most to me is that everyone feels comfortable and can continue enjoying the day. /// I also had a wonderful time spending the day with all of you. If you have another opportunity to visit Japan, and especially Kyushu, I hope we will have the chance to meet again. /// Thank you again for choosing my tour and for taking the time to leave such a warm review! /// Katsu

“Wonderful guide”

Katsu was a wonderful guide for Nagasaki. He kept in close communication before our tour. He was so kind and engaging. He thoughtfully gave us a gift of Japanese cake and he prepared a notebook with information about all of the sights we were going to visit. He helped us choose sights that were both interesting and moving and patiently waited while we explored each one. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

Sharon B.

Katsu N.

Dear Sharon and everyone in your group, /// Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. Once again, I sincerely appreciate all of you joining my tour, and I am truly happy to know that you enjoyed the experience so much. /// One of my guiding principles is to place great importance not only on the quality of the tour itself, but even more on the quality of the preparation beforehand. I believe that good preparation is what makes a good experience on the day possible. In Japan, we have a saying, “Dandori hachibu,” which roughly means that 80% of success comes from good preparation. I am very happy that this aspect of my service came through to you. /// I can also guide you through many other fascinating cities and areas beyond Nagasaki, so if you ever return to Japan, I would be very happy to hear from you again. /// I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey in Japan. /// I look forward to the possibility of seeing you all again someday. /// Katsuhisa

Want to Personalize?

$537/ per group

More tours by Katsu N.

Other Popular Unique Experience Tours in Fukuoka