Kokura Gion Daiko is a summer festivals in which the main attraction is the playing the drums.

In 1958 the event was designated as an intangible folk cultural asset of Fukuoka prefecture.
On July 1st the Kokura Gion Taiko Uchizome-shiki (the ceremony to inaugurate Taiko practice sessions) is held，and from that moment，Kokura’s exciting summer begins，with each town and company group striving to perfect its own Taiko performance ahead of the Festival which is held from Friday of the third weel

in July.

The highlights of the Festival which you should not miss are the Taiko Performing Contest held at Kokura Castle on July 16th; and the Taiko Performing Parade held at Komonji-dori street on Sunday of the third week in July.

The Castle located within a walking distance of JR Kokura Stations. 

Hosokawa Tadaoki commenced the construction of Kokura Castle

 in 1602 and spent 7 years to completed it. The castle had a five fold

and six layered Castle tower and it was built in the architectural style

called  “Kara-zukuri”. Then, it served as a residence of the Ogasawara clan.

Karatsu Castle is called Dancing Crane Castle. The Castle, which

stands beside Karatsu Bay, is unusual in that the stonework rises directly 

out of the water, using the ocean as a natural moat. It resembles the

figure of a bird with its wings spread wide as there is a pine grove extending

left to right and because its donjon is thought to look like the head of a crane.

Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load

Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of castle

building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as 

“Moritake Castle”. It was an almost rectangular flatland castle built in

the Renkaku-style.

The Castle is one of the three great castles and one of the 100 best places

in Japan to view cherry blossoms. Due to the Earthquakes in 2016, the

Castle have heavy damages and many of Castle buildings were destroyed.

After that the restoration activities are being performed as fast as possible.

One of the three largest Karst Plateau in Japan. It is located in south

eastern part of Kitakyushu-city. At altitudes between 400 and 600

meters above sea level and stretching 6 km from north to south

and 2 km from east to west.  

The height of the mountain is 622 meters from sea level. At the top

you are presented with a magnificent and spectacular view of

Kitakyushu. Three Major Night View of Japan from Mount Sarakura to

be experienced. The beautiful night view is created by combination

of industrial zones and rich nature areas.  

A beautiful sunset scenic spot at Genkai Sea in Itoshima, the place is

selected as Japan’s 100 scenic beauty sunset beach.  Located in Genkai

Quasi-National Park. The married rock is connected by the large

Shimenawa with 30 metre length and 1 ton weight. Male rock is 11.8

metre high and Female rock is 11.2 metre height.

The most largest basalt cave in Japan located consist of octagon and

hexagon columnar joints. The entrance of the cave is 64 metre high

and 10 metre width and the depth is 90 metre. It is designated as one

of three major Basalt caves in Japan.

Unzen is a gentle Onsen resort situated in the Unzen National Park.

 The Resort area was originally developed for foreigners as a place

close to Nagasaki-city. It is started receiving foreign tourists around

the year 1900 when Kaempfer and Siebold introduced the city to

Europe and China.

Approximately 300 wild Dolphins live in the sea between the Shimabara

Peninsula and Amakusa. The dolphin watching cruises have become

increasingly popular for all ages, especially because it is possible to see

the dolphins so close that you could almost touch them.

 Soaring 1375 metres into the sky, Mount Tsurumi is a breath taking

mountain overlooking Beppu that offers some decent hiking, rare flora

and outstanding vistas. Visitors can take a ropeway 800 metres up

and revel in being surrounded by acres of rolling greenery. 

One of the must visit tourist destination in Kyushu. The world’s

largest caldera and the active volcano give a lot of excitements. 

And numerous unforgettable experiences in the rural area

can be made including Onsen, variety of sports and local cuisines.

Spectacle art collection of exposed Rocks created by raging wave.

 Hyuga is a bay city, facing the Hyuga nada Sea. The whole area

along Cape Hyuga- misaki with its many exposed rocks is

designated as the Nippo-Kaigan Quasi-National Park.