# Kitakyushu

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Designated city in Kyushu, Japan

Kitakyushu 北九州市 Designated city City of Kitakyushu[1] Clockwise from top left: Wakato Bridge; Moji; Tanga Market; Former Yahata Steel Works; Kokura Gion Daiko; Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History; Tobata Gion Yamagasa festival; and Kokura Castle Flag Emblem Location of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture Kitakyushu Location in Japan Show map of Kyushu Kitakyushu Kitakyushu (Kyushu) Show map of Kyushu Kitakyushu Kitakyushu (Japan) Show map of Japan Coordinates: 33°53′N 130°53′E / 33.883°N 130.883°E / 33.883; 130.883 Country Japan Region Kyushu Prefecture Fukuoka Prefecture Government • Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi Area • Total 491.95 km2 (189.94 sq mi) Population (June 1, 2025) • Total 902,358 • Density 1,834.2/km2 (4,750.7/sq mi) Time zone UTC+09:00 (JST) City hall address 1-1 Jōnai, Kokura Kita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken 803-8501 Climate Cfa Website www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp Symbols Flower Tsutsuji (Azalea) Himawari (Sunflower) Tree Ichiigashi (Japanese beech)

**Kitakyushu** (北九州市, *Kitakyūshū-shi*; Japanese pronunciation: [\[kʲi̥.ta.kʲɯꜜː.ɕɯː, kʲi̥.ta.kʲɯː.ɕɯꜜː.ɕi\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese)[2]) is a [city](/source/Cities_of_Japan) in [Fukuoka Prefecture](/source/Fukuoka_Prefecture), [Japan](/source/Japan). In 2019, Kitakyushu had an estimated population of 940,978, making it the second-largest city in Fukuoka Prefecture and on the island of [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu), after the city of [Fukuoka](/source/Fukuoka). It is one of Japan's 20 [designated cities](/source/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan), one of three on Kyushu, and is divided into seven [wards](/source/Wards_of_Japan).

Sited at the northern tip of Kyushu, Kitakyushu was formed in 1963 from a merger of municipalities centered on the historic city of [Kokura](/source/Kokura); its name means "North Kyushu". It is located on the [Kanmon Straits](/source/Kanmon_Straits) which separate Kyushu from [Honshu](/source/Honshu), and faces the city of [Shimonoseki](/source/Shimonoseki) in [Yamaguchi Prefecture](/source/Yamaguchi_Prefecture). Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki are connected by numerous transport links including the [Kanmon Bridge](/source/Kanmon_Bridge) and the Kanmon Tunnels ([Roadway](/source/Kanmon_Roadway_Tunnel), [Railway](/source/Kanmon_Railway_Tunnel), and [Shin-Kanmon](/source/Shin-Kanmon_Tunnel)).

Kitakyushu's [Urban Employment Area](/source/Urban_Employment_Area) forms part of the [Fukuoka-Kitakyushu Greater Metropolitan Region](/source/Fukuoka-Kitakyushu), which, with a population of 5,738,977 (2005–2006), is the largest [metropolitan area](/source/Metropolitan_area) in Japan west of the [Keihanshin](/source/Keihanshin) region. The city is known as one of Japan's foremost industrial areas, centred on the historic [Yahata Steel Works](/source/Yahata_Steel_Works), which is now a UNESCO [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site).

## History

### Establishment

View of the city from [Mount Sarakura](/source/Mount_Sarakura), with the Kanmon Straits in the background.

The city of Kitakyushu was established on February 10, 1963, as an [agglomeration](/source/Municipal_mergers_and_dissolutions_in_Japan) of the five cities of [Moji](/source/Moji%2C_Fukuoka), [Kokura](/source/Kokura), [Wakamatsu](/source/Wakamatsu%2C_Fukuoka), [Yahata](/source/Yahata%2C_Fukuoka), and [Tobata](/source/Tobata%2C_Fukuoka).[3] It was elevated to the status of [designated city](/source/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan) on April 1 of that year, becoming the first such city outside of the [Tokyo](/source/Greater_Tokyo_Area), [Osaka](/source/Keihanshin), and [Nagoya](/source/Ch%C5%ABky%C5%8D_metropolitan_area) metropolitan areas.[4] At the time of its foundation, it had a population of more than one million people, and until it was overtaken by the city of [Fukuoka](/source/Fukuoka) in 1979, it was [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu)'s most populous city. Kitakyushu's current administrative, economic and transport hub is located in [Kokurakita-ku](/source/Kokurakita-ku), the heart of the former Kokura city. It is centred around [Kokura station](/source/Kokura_station), which is served by the [San'yō Shinkansen](/source/San'y%C5%8D_Shinkansen) high-speed railway, and is Kitakyushu's main shopping and entertainment district. The city's symbol mark is a flower with the [Chinese character](/source/Kanji) "north" (北, **kita**) in the middle and five petals representing the each of its constituent cities.

Because of its proximity to the [Kanmon Straits](/source/Kanmon_Straits), and by extension, the Japanese main island of [Honshu](/source/Honshu), Kitakyushu has long served as the gateway to Kyushu, and as a transport hub.[5] Kitakyushu is the starting point for Kyushu's railway and road network. In the [Edo period](/source/Edo_period), Kitakyushu was the northern terminus of the [Nagasaki Kaidō](/source/Nagasaki_Kaid%C5%8D), a highway linking [Nagasaki](/source/Nagasaki), the only port in Japan open to foreign trade under the policy of *[sakoku](/source/Sakoku)*, with Honshu.[6] During the [Meiji period](/source/Meiji_period), railways were constructed from the 1880s, along with the ports of Moji and Wakamatsu.[5] Yahata, located on the [Dōkai Bay](/source/D%C5%8Dkai_Bay), was originally nothing more than a fishing village.[7] Its proximity to coal deposits in the surrounding [Chikuhō region](/source/Chikuh%C5%8D_coalfield), and good sea links to sources of iron ore in [China](/source/China), led to it being chosen as the site for the [Yahata Steel Works](/source/Yahata_Steel_Works), which opened in 1901. This was the hub of Japan's nascent steel industry, and the surrounding area on the coast of the Dōkai Bay and [Genkai Sea](/source/Genkai_Sea) emerged as the focal point of Japan's pre-Second World War industrialisation.[8] By 1913, Yahata was responsible for 85% of Japan's total steel output; the city's population grew from 6,652 in 1901 to 100,235 in 1920.[9] In recognition of the area's contributions to Japan's industrial history, several historical sites in the city, including the head office of the steel works, were recognised by [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) in 2015 as part of the "[Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining](/source/Sites_of_Japan's_Meiji_Industrial_Revolution%3A_Iron_and_Steel%2C_Shipbuilding_and_Coal_Mining)".

The five cities that now constitute Kitakyushu developed in competition with each other during Japan's period of industrialisation, and each carried its own unique industrial profile.[10] With its railway and sea links, Moji, centred on [Mojikō station](/source/Mojik%C5%8D_station), was a hub for international trade and food processing. Kokura, an old [castle town](/source/J%C5%8Dkamachi), was known for its defence industry. Wakamatsu's railway and port complex served as the largest coal shipment hub in Japan. Yahata was dominated by the steel industry. Tobata was home to coal-related industries, textile plants, and a fishing industry. While they vary in size, each of the former cities retains its own urban centre to this day.[10][7]

### Second World War

Further information: [Bombing of Yahata](/source/Bombing_of_Yahata)

Kitakyushu's character as the heart of Japanese industry made it a target for [strategic bombing](/source/Strategic_bombing_during_World_War_II) during the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War). 75 [Boeing B-29 Superfortresses](/source/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress) were despatched from mainland China to attack Yahata on June 16, 1944, in the [first American bombing of the Japanese home islands](/source/Bombing_of_Yawata_(June_1944)).[11] Kokura was the primary target of the nuclear weapon "[Fat Man](/source/Fat_Man)" on August 9, 1945. Major [Charles Sweeney](/source/Charles_Sweeney) had orders to drop the bomb visually. All three attempts failed when he was unable to identify the target clearly due to clouds and smoke from Yahata, which had suffered air raids on the previous day. Additionally, a smoke screen was created by industrial workers burning barrels of coal tar and/or electric plant workers releasing steam.[12][13] The bomb was ultimately dropped on the city of [Nagasaki](/source/Nagasaki), the secondary target, at 11:02 JST.

### Post-war

Yahata Steel Works in 2014

Extensive damage to industrial infrastructure during the war left the region in ruins, with residents suffering from malnutrition. Kitakyushu's industrial revival would come with the outbreak of the [Korean War](/source/Korean_War) in 1950, when military demand for steel put production at the Yahata Steel Works into overdrive.[14] In the following years, Kitakyushu's development continued to be driven by [heavy industry](/source/Heavy_industry), such as steel and metalworking, and these industries helped drive [Japan's post-war economic boom](/source/Japanese_economic_miracle).[10] Like in other major Japanese cities, industrial development in Kitakyushu resulted in severe air and water pollution in the post-war period.[15] In the 1960s, the Dōkai Bay was known as the "Sea of Death" due to severe water pollution caused by industrial runoff, which meant that no living organisms were present in its waters.[16] Eventually this issue was overcome after activism by civic groups, such as the [Tobata Women's Association](/source/Tobata_Women's_Association), which resulted in public-private co-operation to curb pollution.[15]

As heavy industries like steel began to decline in the 1970s due to factors such as [the two oil shocks](/source/1970s_energy_crisis) and tighter environmental regulations,[17] Kitakyushu reoriented its economy toward the service sector.[18] While steel and other industries continued to play a central role in Kitakyushu's economy, the number of people employed in these sectors sunk during the latter half of the twentieth century: over the period from 1965 to 1988, 27,713 jobs were lost in the iron and steel sector alone.[19] With its history of overcoming pollution, Kitakyushu pivoted towards a new role as a centre for green industry,[20] and now proclaims itself an "environmental city".[21] The municipal government established the [Kitakyushu Film Commission](/source/Kitakyushu_Film_Commission) to attract the film and television industries to the city, promoting a further diversification of its economy.[22] After a restructuring of the Yahata Steel Works by [Nippon Steel](/source/Nippon_Steel), part of the complex was redeveloped into a theme park called [Space World](/source/Space_World), which opened in 1990. This project aimed to improve the city's image, and promote tourism.[23]

As a nexus of land and sea transport, Kitakyushu's [tertiary (service) sector](/source/Tertiary_sector) exceeded neighbouring Fukuoka's in scale until the end of the 1960s, and the regional branches of most Japanese companies, such as newspapers, banks, and trading firms, were located in the city.[24] At the time, Kitakyushu was the economic heart of Kyushu. It was its largest industrial city, and home to vibrant [secondary](/source/Secondary_sector) and tertiary sectors. This would change, however, with the modal shift from railway to air transport. Kitakyushu had no airport capable of handling large [jet aircraft](/source/Jet_aircraft) until the opening of [Kitakyushu Airport](/source/Kitakyushu_Airport) in 2006; Fukuoka, on the other hand, has long been home to a [major airport within its city limits](/source/Fukuoka_Airport). Businessmen travelling from Tokyo head offices to Kyushu now found Fukuoka a more convenient locale;[24] when the San'yō Shinkansen opened with [Hakata](/source/Hakata_Station) as its terminus in 1975, Fukuoka's status as an economic centre was elevated even further. As an example, the *[Yomiuri Shimbun](/source/Yomiuri_Shimbun)* moved its regional headquarters in western Japan from Kitakyushu to Fukuoka in 2004. While the regional branches of the *[Asahi](/source/The_Asahi_Shimbun)* and *[Mainichi](/source/Mainichi_Shimbun)* newspapers have retained their corporate registration in Kitakyushu, actual operations have been moved to offices in Fukuoka.

The city was subject to decades of [Yakuza](/source/Yakuza)-related violence and crime, to the point that it became known in Japan as "the city of never-ending conflict" (修羅の国, **shura no kuni**).[25] A member of the [Kudo-kai](/source/Kudo-kai) group threw a hand grenade into a crowded Kokura nightclub in August 2003, an incident that sparked a concerted effort to root out the violent groups and suppress criminal activity in the city.[26] The number of criminal offences committed in Kitakyushu peaked in 2002, with 35,280 cases recorded in that year; by 2023, action taken by the local authorities brought the number of cases down by 87%, with only 5,109 recorded.[26]

Kitakyushu's population peaked at 1,680,000 in 1979; even at the height of the [bubble economy](/source/Japanese_asset_price_bubble) during the late 1980s, its population had started to decline slightly.[27] With the Kitakyushu industrial area's decline in significance, the move towards a service economy, transfer of branch offices to Fukuoka, and the increasing concentration of people in areas with advanced educational facilities such as Fukuoka, Keihanshin, and Tokyo, Kitakyushu's population has continued to fall. In 2020, the city's ageing rate reached 30.6%, the worst of any designated city in Japan, and population decline is becoming a serious issue.[28] However, suburbs such as [Kanda](/source/Kanda%2C_Fukuoka) and [Yukuhashi](/source/Yukuhashi%2C_Fukuoka) have seen population increases, and there has been some growth in the urban centre of [Kokurakita-ku](/source/Kokurakita-ku%2C_Kitaky%C5%ABsh%C5%AB). Furthermore, in 2023 and 2024, the number of businesses moving to Kitakyushu exceeded those who chose Fukuoka, and its startup rate rose to the highest across Japan.[29]

## Geography and administrative divisions

### Demographics

As of 1 October 2018[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu&action=edit), the city had an estimated population of 945,595 and a total area of 491.95 km2 (189.94 sq mi).[30] The average [population density](/source/Population_density) is 1,922 persons /km2 (4,980/sq mi). It is now the country's 15th most populated city.[30] It has a much larger total area than that of [Fukuoka](/source/Fukuoka) which is only 343.39 km2 (132.58 sq mi).[30]

### Wards

Kitakyushu is divided into seven [wards](/source/Wards_of_Japan) (*ku*), whose boundaries are based on those of the five municipalities that joined to form the city in 1963. In 1974, the original Kokura-ku and Yahata-ku were divided into Kokurakita and Kokuraminami, and Yahatanishi and Yahatahigashi respectively.[31]

Wards of Kitakyushu Place Name Map of Kitakyushu wards Rōmaji Kanji Color Land area in km2 1 Kokurakita-ku (administrative center) 小倉北区 39.27 2 Kokuraminami-ku 小倉南区 170.25 3 Moji-ku 門司区 73.37 4 Tobata-ku 戸畑区 16.66 5 Yahatahigashi-ku 八幡東区 36.36 6 Yahatanishi-ku 八幡西区 83.04 7 Wakamatsu-ku 若松区 67.86

### Cityscape

		- [Skyline](/source/Skyline) of Kokura (2021)

		- [Kokura Station](/source/Kokura_Station) (2021)

		- [West Japan Industrial Club](/source/West_Japan_Industrial_Club) (2020)

		- Port of Kitakyushu (2014)

		- [Downtown](/source/Downtown) of Kokura (2014)

		- [Wakato Bridge](/source/Wakato_Bridge) (2008)

### Climate

Climate data for Yahatañishi-ku, Kitakyushu (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 19.0 (66.2) 24.0 (75.2) 25.2 (77.4) 30.1 (86.2) 32.4 (90.3) 34.2 (93.6) 36.9 (98.4) 36.7 (98.1) 36.0 (96.8) 33.0 (91.4) 26.8 (80.2) 24.8 (76.6) 36.9 (98.4) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.8 (49.6) 10.9 (51.6) 14.4 (57.9) 19.6 (67.3) 24.2 (75.6) 27.0 (80.6) 30.7 (87.3) 31.9 (89.4) 28.1 (82.6) 23.2 (73.8) 17.7 (63.9) 12.2 (54.0) 20.8 (69.5) Daily mean °C (°F) 6.2 (43.2) 6.9 (44.4) 10.0 (50.0) 14.7 (58.5) 19.3 (66.7) 22.7 (72.9) 26.8 (80.2) 27.8 (82.0) 24.0 (75.2) 18.8 (65.8) 13.3 (55.9) 8.3 (46.9) 16.6 (61.8) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.8 (37.0) 3.2 (37.8) 5.9 (42.6) 10.2 (50.4) 14.9 (58.8) 19.3 (66.7) 23.7 (74.7) 24.6 (76.3) 20.6 (69.1) 14.8 (58.6) 9.3 (48.7) 4.7 (40.5) 12.8 (55.1) Record low °C (°F) −4.6 (23.7) −6.2 (20.8) −3.8 (25.2) 0.5 (32.9) 6.4 (43.5) 10.5 (50.9) 15.4 (59.7) 17.6 (63.7) 8.9 (48.0) 3.5 (38.3) 0.7 (33.3) −3.6 (25.5) −6.2 (20.8) Average precipitation mm (inches) 87.9 (3.46) 79.2 (3.12) 114.2 (4.50) 125.4 (4.94) 142.9 (5.63) 239.5 (9.43) 314.6 (12.39) 198.1 (7.80) 165.9 (6.53) 85.2 (3.35) 91.8 (3.61) 75.9 (2.99) 1,720.5 (67.74) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 10.8 10.4 10.9 10.0 9.0 12.3 11.8 10.0 9.7 7.3 9.4 9.8 121.4 Mean monthly sunshine hours 101.8 113.2 159.5 188.6 205.0 139.2 167.6 196.2 159.8 170.5 131.5 102.9 1,835.7 Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[32][33]

## Economy

Map of the Kitakyushu [Metropolitan Employment Area](/source/Urban_Employment_Area)

The Colet Izutsuya department store (formerly known as Isetan and, before that, Sogo)

[Riverwalk Kitakyūshū](/source/Riverwalk_Kitaky%C5%ABsh%C5%AB) and [Kokura Castle](/source/Kokura_Castle) moat

Along with the forming the centre of its own metropolitan area,[34] Kitakyushu also comprises part of broader Kanmon region, which includes the city of [Shimonoseki](/source/Shimonoseki) in [Yamaguchi Prefecture](/source/Yamaguchi_Prefecture), on opposite side of the [Kanmon Straits](/source/Kanmon_Straits).[35] It is also part of the [Fukuoka–Kitakyushu](/source/Fukuoka%E2%80%93Kitakyushu) Greater Metropolitan Region, together with Fukuoka. The Fukuoka–Kitakyushu region is the 4th largest economic area in Japan, after Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Kitakyushu itself is the 13th largest city in Japan, and the 2nd largest in Fukuoka Prefecture, after the prefectural seat, Fukuoka.[36] Together with Fukuoka, it is designated as a [National Strategic Special Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Strategic_Special_Zone&action=edit&redlink=1).[37] As of 2010, the [GDP](/source/GDP) in Greater Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu [Metropolitan Employment Area](/source/Urban_Employment_Area) was US$55.7 billion.[38][39]

[Nippon Steel](/source/Nippon_Steel), owner of the historic [Yahata Steel Works](/source/Yahata_Steel_Works), is still a major employer, but both the Yahata and Tobata plants are much reduced from their heyday of the 1960s. The [Zenrin](/source/Zenrin) company known for its mapping and navigation software is based here,[40] and so are toilet maker [Toto Ltd.](/source/Toto_Ltd.),[41] electronics manufacturer [Yaskawa Electric Corporation](/source/Yaskawa_Electric_Corporation),[42] and precision tooling manufacturer [Mitsui High-tec](/source/Mitsui_High-tec).[43] [StarFlyer](/source/StarFlyer), an airline, is headquartered on the grounds of [Kitakyushu Airport](/source/Kitakyushu_Airport) in [Kokuraminami-ku](/source/Kokuraminami-ku).[44] Previously the airline's headquarters were in the Shin Kokura Building (新小倉ビル, **Shin-Kokura Biru**) in [Kokurakita-ku](/source/Kokurakita-ku).[45][46] Kitakyushu is also home to a [Toyota Motor Kyushu](/source/Toyota_Motor_Kyushu) plant that produces [hybrid vehicle](/source/Hybrid_vehicle) systems.[47]

## Education

[Kyushu Institute of Technology](/source/Kyushu_Institute_of_Technology) (KIT)

### Universities and colleges

#### National universities

- [Kyushu Institute of Technology](/source/Kyushu_Institute_of_Technology)

#### Public universities

- [Kyushu Dental University](/source/Kyushu_Dental_University)

- [University of Kitakyushu](/source/University_of_Kitakyushu)

#### Private universities

- [Kyushu International University](/source/Kyushu_International_University)

- [Kyushu Kyoritsu University](/source/Kyushu_Kyoritsu_University)

- [Kyushu Nutrition Welfare University](/source/Kyushu_Nutrition_Welfare_University)

- [Kyushu Polytechnic College](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kyushu_Polytechnic_College&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Kyushu Women's University](/source/Kyushu_Women's_University)

- [Nishinippon Institute of Technology](/source/Nishinippon_Institute_of_Technology)

- [Seinan Women's University](/source/Seinan_Women's_University)

- [University of Occupational and Environmental Health](/source/University_of_Occupational_and_Environmental_Health)

#### Junior colleges

- [Higashi Chikushi Junior College](/source/Higashi_Chikushi_Junior_College)

- [Kyushu Women's Junior College](/source/Kyushu_Women's_Junior_College)

- [Orio Aishin Junior College](/source/Orio_Aishin_Junior_College)

- [Seinan Jo Gakuin University Junior College](/source/Seinan_Jo_Gakuin_University_Junior_College)

#### Technology colleges

- [Kitakyushu National College of Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_National_College_of_Technology&action=edit&redlink=1)

#### Vocational colleges

- Kyushu Medical Sports School

### Research Institutes and graduate schools

- [Kitakyushu Science and Research Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_Science_and_Research_Park&action=edit&redlink=1) - Graduate School of International Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu - Fukuoka University Institute for Recycling and Environmental Control Systems - Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems/Information, Production and Systems Research Center, Waseda University

## Transportation

Main article: [Transport in Fukuoka-Kitakyushu](/source/Transport_in_Fukuoka-Kitakyushu)

[Kitakyushu Airport](/source/Kitakyushu_Airport)

Kitakyushu Expressway

[Kitakyushu Monorail](/source/Kitakyushu_Monorail)

Wakato Ferry

Located at a strategic position on the south side of the [Kanmon Straits](/source/Kanmon_Straits), Kitakyushu is an important transport hub for traffic between [Honshu](/source/Honshu) and [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu) and has a large port.

### Air

The [Kitakyushu Airport](/source/Kitakyushu_Airport) opened on March 16, 2006. It is larger than the previous [Kokura Airport](/source/Kokura_Airport) and supports 24-hour operations thanks to its location on an artificial island in the [Seto Inland Sea](/source/Seto_Inland_Sea). There are plans to connect the airport with [Kokura Station](/source/Kokura_Station) via a rail link. A new airline based in the city called [StarFlyer](/source/StarFlyer) began operations when the airport opened. The airport has flights to Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo-Haneda.

The other nearby airport is [Fukuoka Airport](/source/Fukuoka_Airport) which is located 82 km away from the city and that airport primarily connects to other major airports in Japan and the world.

### Railways

[Kokura Station](/source/Kokura_Station), the city's central train station, is the penultimate stop on the [JR West](/source/JR_West) [Sanyō Shinkansen](/source/Sany%C5%8D_Shinkansen) before the [Fukuoka](/source/Hakata_Station) terminus and all [Shinkansen](/source/Shinkansen) services stop here. It is served by local and express trains on [JR Kyushu](/source/JR_Kyushu)'s [Kagoshima](/source/Kagoshima_Main_Line) and [Nippō](/source/Nipp%C5%8D_Main_Line) Main Lines. In the city, transport is provided the [Kitakyushu Monorail](/source/Kitakyushu_Monorail) and buses.

[Mojikō Station](/source/Mojik%C5%8D_Station) in [Moji-ku](/source/Moji-ku%2C_Kitaky%C5%ABsh%C5%AB) is the northern terminus of the Kagoshima Main Line, the most important line in the JR Kyushu network.

A tram network operated by the [Nishi-Nippon Railroad](/source/Nishi-Nippon_Railroad) known as the Kitakyushu Line once operated in the city; after dwindling passenger numbers in the 1970s the line was shut down in stages between 1980 and 2000. A railway using tram cars, the [Chikuhō Electric Railroad](/source/Chikuh%C5%8D_Electric_Railroad_Line), runs between [Kurosaki-Ekimae](/source/Kurosaki_Station) and [Chikuhō-Nōgata](/source/Chikuh%C5%8D-N%C5%8Dgata_Station) stations, serving [Yahatanishi-ku](/source/Yahatanishi-ku%2C_Kitakyushu) and the neighbouring city of [Nōgata](/source/N%C5%8Dgata%2C_Fukuoka).

### Roads

#### Expressways

The metropolitan area of Kitakyushu is covered by the [Kitakyushu Expressway](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_Expressway&action=edit&redlink=1), which has five routes serving the city, totalling 53 kilometres (33 mi) of four-lane expressways. Some of these expressways are elevated, especially around the city center. Route 1 serves the city center, while route 2 serves the port area. Route 3 is a short connector between routes 1 and 2, and route 4 is the longest of the Kitakyushu Expressway network, serving most of the city from north to south. Route 5 is a short link serving the inner port area.

In addition, Kitakyushu is bypassed by the [Kyushu Expressway](/source/Kyushu_Expressway), the main north–south route on the island of Kyushu. The new [Higashikyushu Expressway](/source/Higashikyushu_Expressway) begins in Kitakyushu and runs along the eastern coast of Kyushu. North of Kitakyushu, the Kyushu Expressway crosses the six-lane [Kanmonkyo Bridge](/source/Kanmonkyo_Bridge) and turns into the [Chūgoku Expressway](/source/Ch%C5%ABgoku_Expressway), the second longest in Japan, serving western Honshu.

#### Bridges

There are several bridges in Kitakyushu and between the city and other places. The largest ones are the [Kanmonkyo Bridge](/source/Kanmonkyo_Bridge) linking Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki (on Kyushu and Honshū respectively) via the [Kanmon Straits](/source/Kanmon_Straits) and the [Wakato Bridge](/source/Wakato_Bridge) linking the wards of Tobata and Wakamatsu. There are smaller bridges over the [Onga River](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Onga_River&action=edit&redlink=1) on the western border of the city.

On September 30, 2005, ownership of the Wakato Bridge was transferred from [Japan Highway Public Corporation](/source/Japan_Highway_Public_Corporation) to Kitakyushu; on April 1, 2006, the bridge was transferred to the control of the [Kitakyushu City Road Public Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_City_Road_Public_Corporation&action=edit&redlink=1).

### Sea

Kitakyushu is the largest [ferry](/source/Ferry) port in [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu), [Chūgoku](/source/Ch%C5%ABgoku_region), and [Shikoku](/source/Shikoku). Ferry services operate between Kitakyushu and [Shimonoseki](/source/Shimonoseki), [Tokushima](/source/Tokushima%2C_Tokushima), [Kōbe](/source/K%C5%8Dbe), [Ōsaka](/source/%C5%8Csaka), [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo), [Ulsan](/source/Ulsan) (Korea), [Busan](/source/Busan) (Korea) and isolated islands in the city limits. The main ferry port is at Shin-Moji, and there are ferries at Moji and near [Kokura Station](/source/Kokura_Station).

In the Kanmon-Kitakyushu area, there are three commuter lines: the Wakato Ferry, the Kanmon Straits Ferry, and the Kanmon Straits Liner.

## Notable places

[Kokura Castle](/source/Kokura_Castle) in central Kokura

Night view of Kitakyushu from Mount Sarakura

- [Kokura Castle](/source/Kokura_Castle) (小倉城, *Kokura-jō*) was built by Hosokawa Tadaoki in 1602. It was the property of the Ogasawara clan (from Harima) between 1632 and 1860. The castle was burnt down in 1865 in the war between the Kokura and Choshu clans.

- Hiraodai (平尾台; lit. Flat Tail Plateau) karst plateau and Mount Adachi (足立山, *Adachi-san*) in Kokura Minami ward and [Mount Sarakura](/source/Mount_Sarakura) (皿倉山, *Sarakura-san*) and [Kawachi Dam](/source/Kawachi_Dam) (河内貯水池, *Kawachi-chosuichi*) in Yahata Higashi ward are noted walking areas with fine scenery.

- [Kawachi Wisteria Garden](/source/Kawachi_Wisteria_Garden) is known for massive flower fujidana (trellises).

The limestone outcroppings on Hiraodai are said to resemble grazing sheep, so the plateau, the highest in Kyushu at 400–600 meters, is also known as the Yogun Plain. Some of the limestone caverns are open to the public.[48] The area contains the Sugao and Nanae Waterfalls. Sugao is about 20 meters. Nanae means "seven stages".

## Culture

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### Center for Contemporary Art Kitakyushu

The Center for Contemporary Art (CCA) opened in May 1997 by former [Japan Foundation](/source/Japan_Foundation) chief curator Nobuo Nakamura and Akiko Miyake. The centre has shown works of internationally renowned artists such as [Maurizio Cattelan](/source/Maurizio_Cattelan) and [Anri Sala](/source/Anri_Sala), and runs an internationally acclaimed studio programme for emerging artists.

### Filming location

The 1986 family movie *[Koneko Monogatari](/source/The_Adventures_of_Milo_and_Otis)* was filmed here. The English version of the film, which is the story of the friendship of a [kitten](/source/Kitten) and a [pug](/source/Pug) dog, was released in America in 1989 as *[The Adventures of Milo and Otis](/source/The_Adventures_of_Milo_and_Otis)*.

The 1958 comedy *[Rickshaw Man](/source/Rickshaw_Man)* is based on a local folk hero of Kokura called Muhomatsu or "Wild Pine" and has been called the Japanese "Desperado". He is celebrated in the Kokura Gion Yamagasa festival. Toshiro Mifune plays the [taiko drum](/source/Taiko_drum) in this movie.

Kitakyushu is featured in the late 2012 *[Call of Duty: Black Ops II](/source/Call_of_Duty%3A_Black_Ops_II)* game developed by [Treyarch](/source/Treyarch) and published by [Activision](/source/Activision) as a DLC map called *Magma*. In the map the city has been abandoned due to a volcanic eruption, and parts of the city are completely covered in lava.

### Rising Sun International Film Festival

The Rising Sun International Film Festival (RSIFF) has taken place in Kitakyushu each November since 2020, with screenings taking place in the Brick Hall and the Kitakyushu Beer and Brick Museum in Moji in its first two editions. It features many Asian and Japanese premieres.[49][50] For the third edition in 2022, another venue was added, the Tanga Table in [Kokura](/source/Kokura),[51] and in 2023, screenings were also held at the Theater Enya in the city of [Karatsu](/source/Karatsu), with special guest, Hong Kong actress [Stephy Tang](/source/Stephy_Tang), presented with a special Award for Career Achievement.[52]

As of 2025[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu&action=edit) the festival takes place in both Kitakyushu at the Brick Hall and Karatsu at Theater Enya over four days in November, and offers several awards in various categories of films.[53]

### Other festivals

There are festivals (matsuri) held in the summer in the city, including the [Tobata Gion Yamagasa festival](/source/Tobata_Gion_Yamagasa_festival) in [Tobata-ku, Kitakyūshū](/source/Tobata-ku%2C_Kitaky%C5%ABsh%C5%AB).

**Kurosaki Gion (July)**

It has been designated as an intangible cultural asset of Fukuoka Prefecture. People spin highly decorated "battle floats" as they pull them through the streets.[54]

**Tobata Gion (July)**

People carry yamagasa (tiered floats decorated with flags by day and lanterns by night) on their shoulders.

**Kokura Gion (July)**

People pull *yamagasa* parade floats along the street.

All the Gion festivals date back about 400 years. They were instituted to celebrate surviving an epidemic.[55]

**Moji Minato Festival (May)**

This port-city festival involves colourfully costumed people pulling floats through the streets.[56]

**Wakamatsu Minato Festival (July)**

This port-city festival celebrates fire, drums, and *[kappa](/source/Kappa_(folklore))* (mythical amphibious creatures who love cucumbers).[57]

**Wasshoi Hyakuman Festival (August)**

The [Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri](/source/Wasshoi_Hyakuman_Natsumatsuri) brings all the festivals together for a grand parade and finale near City Hall in [Kokura Kita ward](/source/Kokura_Kita_ward). Kitakyushu was formed by the merging of Kokura, Yahata, Wakamatsu, Moji, and Tobata. As a result, the city began, on its tenth anniversary, to combine these local festivals into one. On the 25th anniversary, it was renamed Wasshoi Hyakuman because the city population had reached one million.

**Green Park Flea Market (monthly, except August and December)**

There are over 200 shops.[58]

## Sports

### 2021 Gymnastics Champtionships

Kitakyushu was selected as the host of the [2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships](/source/2021_World_Artistic_Gymnastics_Championships) and the [2021 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships](/source/2021_Rhythmic_Gymnastics_World_Championships), which took place in October 2021, in [Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium](/source/Kitakyushu_City_General_Gymnasium), and the West Japan Exhibition Centre respectively.[59]

### Professional teams

- [Giravanz Kitakyushu](/source/Giravanz_Kitakyushu) – [Football](/source/Football_(soccer)), [J3](/source/J._League)

### Sporting venues

Honjo stadium

- Anō Dome

- [Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu](/source/Mikuni_World_Stadium_Kitakyushu) – Home stadium for Giravanz Kitakyushu

- [Honjō Athletic Stadium](/source/Honj%C5%8D_Athletic_Stadium)

- [Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium](/source/Kitakyushu_City_General_Gymnasium)

- [Kitakyushu Media Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_Media_Dome&action=edit&redlink=1) – Indoor [Keirin](/source/Keirin) stadium

- [Kitakyushu Municipal Baseball Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_Municipal_Baseball_Stadium&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [Kitakyushu Municipal Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitakyushu_Municipal_Gymnasium&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [JRA](/source/Japan_Racing_Association) [Kokura Racecourse](/source/Kokura_Racecourse)

- Sayagatani Stadium

- [Wakamatsu Kyōteijō](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wakamatsu_Ky%C5%8Dteij%C5%8D&action=edit&redlink=1) – Wakamatsu Boat Races

## Sister cities

Kitakyushu is twinned with the following cities outside Japan.[60]

- [Surabaya](/source/Surabaya), Indonesia, since 1992

- [Dalian](/source/Dalian), [Liaoning](/source/Liaoning), China

- [Incheon](/source/Incheon), South Korea

- [Norfolk, Virginia](/source/Norfolk%2C_Virginia), United States

- [Tacoma, Washington](/source/Tacoma%2C_Washington), United States

- [Haiphong](/source/Haiphong), Vietnam

- [Davao City](/source/Davao_City), Philippines ("environmental sister city")[61]

- [Phnom Penh](/source/Phnom_Penh), [Cambodia](/source/Cambodia)

- [Ipatinga](/source/Ipatinga), [Minas Gerais](/source/Minas_Gerais), Brazil, since July 24, 1978[62]

One city in Japan is twinned with Kitakyushu;

- [Minamikyushu, Kagoshima](/source/Minamikyushu%2C_Kagoshima), Japan[63]

## Notable figures

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

[Mori Ōgai](/source/Mori_%C5%8Cgai)'s house in Kokura Kita ward

### Samurai

- [Miyamoto Musashi](/source/Miyamoto_Musashi), samurai swordsman, author of *[The Book of Five Rings](/source/The_Book_of_Five_Rings)* and founder of the [Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū](/source/Hyoho_Niten_Ichi-ry%C5%AB), famous for its use of two swords. He lived in the [Kokura](/source/Kokura) castle under the patronage of the [Ogasawara](/source/Ogasawara_clan) and [Hosokawa](/source/Hosokawa_clan) clans from 1633 until his death.

### Writers

- The novelist [Mori Ōgai](/source/Mori_%C5%8Cgai) lived in [Kokura](/source/Kokura) for years and his house is open to the public in [Kokura Kita ward](/source/Kokura_Kita_ward). He wrote *Kokura Nikki* (*Kokura Diary*) here. It is a ten-minute walk from [Kokura Station](/source/Kokura_Station).

- The writer [Seichō Matsumoto](/source/Seich%C5%8D_Matsumoto) was born in Kokura. The [Matsumoto Seicho Memorial Museum](/source/Matsumoto_Seicho_Memorial_Museum) dedicated to his work is located in the city center near [Kokura Castle](/source/Kokura_Castle).

- The writer [Ashihei Hino](/source/Ashihei_Hino) was born in Wakamatsu ward and his birthplace can be visited.

### Scientists

- [Ted Fujita](/source/Ted_Fujita), popularly known as "Mr. Tornado" in America, was born in Kikugaoka in what is now Kokura Minami ward.

### Sportspeople

- [Masanobu Fuchi](/source/Masanobu_Fuchi), [professional wrestler](/source/Puroresu)

- [Kōhei Uchimura](/source/K%C5%8Dhei_Uchimura), artistic gymnast

- [Shōta Imanaga](/source/Sh%C5%8Dta_Imanaga), baseball player

- [Hina Sugita](/source/Hina_Sugita), football player

- [Nami Matsuyama](/source/Nami_Matsuyama), badminton player

- [Hina Hayata](/source/Hina_Hayata), table tennis player

### Musicians

- [175R](/source/175R), a Japanese punk rock band[64]

- [Ena Fujita](/source/Ena_Fujita), Japanese musician and [gravure idol](/source/Gravure_idol)

- [Ayaka Umeda](/source/Ayaka_Umeda), former Japanese idol and singer ([AKB48](/source/AKB48), the subunit [DiVA](/source/Diva_(Japanese_band)) and [NMB48](/source/NMB48))

- [Rihito Ikezaki](/source/INI_(Japanese_boy_group)), member of [INI (Japanese boy group)](/source/INI_(Japanese_boy_group))

### Film directors

- [Yamazaki Tokujirō](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yamazaki_Tokujir%C5%8D&action=edit&redlink=1), director of *[Call of the Foghorn](/source/Mutekiga_Ore_o_Yondeiru)* and the Jiken Kisha series

- [Aoyama Shinji](/source/Shinji_Aoyama), director of *[Eureka](/source/Eureka_(2000_film))* and *[Sad Vacation](/source/Sad_Vacation)*

- [Oda Motoyoshi](/source/Motoyoshi_Oda), director of *[Godzilla Raids Again](/source/Godzilla_Raids_Again)*

- [Hirayama Hideyuki](/source/Hideyuki_Hirayama), director of *[Forget me Not](/source/Forget_Me_Not_(2010_Japanese_film))*

### Actors

- [Takeshi Tsuruno](/source/Takeshi_Tsuruno), *[Ultraman Dyna](/source/Ultraman_Dyna)*

- [Kazuhisa Kawahara](/source/Kazuhisa_Kawahara_(actor)), *[Aibō](/source/AIBOU%3A_Tokyo_Detective_Duo)*, *[Initial D](/source/Initial_D)* and *[Kamen Rider Decade](/source/Kamen_Rider_Decade)*

- [Takahiro Fujimoto](/source/Takahiro_Fujimoto), *[Saka no Ue no Kumo](/source/Saka_no_Ue_no_Kumo_(TV_series))*, *[Jin](/source/Jin_(TV_series))* and *[Segodon](/source/Segodon)*

- [Saaya Irie](/source/Saaya_Irie), *[God's Left Hand, Devil's Right Hand](/source/God's_Left_Hand%2C_Devil's_Right_Hand)*

- [Tsuyoshi Ihara](/source/Tsuyoshi_Ihara), *[Ninja](/source/Ninja_(film))*, *[Dirty Hearts](/source/Dirty_Hearts)*, *[Letters from Iwo Jima](/source/Letters_from_Iwo_Jima)* and *[Samurai Hustle](/source/Samurai_Hustle)* (real name: Yun Yu-gu, [Hangul](/source/Hangul): 윤유구)

- [Junichi Haruta](/source/Junichi_Haruta), *[Dai Sentai Goggle-V](/source/Dai_Sentai_Goggle-V)*, *[Kagaku Sentai Dynaman](/source/Kagaku_Sentai_Dynaman)*, *[Kamen Rider Blade](/source/Kamen_Rider_Blade)*, *[Kamen Rider W Returns](/source/Kamen_Rider_W_Returns)* and *[Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger](/source/Zyuden_Sentai_Kyoryuger)*

### Politicians

- [Seitaro Hattori](/source/Seitaro_Hattori), incumbent governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Kitakyushu's official English name](http://www.city.kitakyushu.jp/pcp_portal/PortalServlet?DISPLAY_ID=DIRECT&NEXT_DISPLAY_ID=U000000&LANG_ID=2) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120511234332/http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/index_oshirase.html) May 11, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, ed. (May 24, 2016). NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典 (in Japanese). NHK Publishing.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["一見、玩具・双眼鏡 不思議な北九州市の公共建築"](https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO88705330Q5A630C1000000/). *NIKKEI STYLE* (in Japanese). 日本経済新聞社. July 13, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mainichi19630210_4-0)** "「北九州市」生まれる けさ盛大に開庁式". *毎日新聞* (in Japanese). 毎日新聞西部本社. February 10, 1963.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sds3466_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sds3466_5-1) 九州旅客鉄道 (1989). *鉄輪の轟き : 九州の鉄道100年記念誌* (初版 ed.). 九州旅客鉄道. p. 231.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["長崎街道について - 北九州市"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/yahatanishi/file_0024.html). *www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp* (in Japanese). Retrieved September 13, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shapira2_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shapira2_7-1) Shapira, Philip (1990). ["Industrial Restructuring and Economic Development Strategies in a Japanese Steel Town: The Case of Kitakyushu"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/40112949). *The Town Planning Review*. **61** (4): 391. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0041-0020](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0041-0020).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** OECD (October 18, 2013). [*Green Growth in Kitakyushu, Japan*](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/green-growth-in-kitakyushu-japan_9789264195134-en.html). OECD. p. 14. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1787/9789264204614-ja](https://doi.org/10.1787%2F9789264204614-ja). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9264204607](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9264204607).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Ortiz-Moya, Fernando (April 2, 2020). ["Green growth strategies in a shrinking city: Tackling urban revitalization through environmental justice in Kitakyushu City, Japan"](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07352166.2018.1448225). *Journal of Urban Affairs*. **42** (3): 7. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/07352166.2018.1448225](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F07352166.2018.1448225). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0735-2166](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0735-2166).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sdsd2_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sdsd2_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-sdsd2_10-2) アクロス福岡文化誌編纂委員会 (March 31, 2016). *福岡県歴史散歩*. アクロス福岡文化誌; 10 (in Japanese). 海鳥社. p. 76. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9784874159699](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9784874159699).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Shigeru Mizuki](/source/Shigeru_Mizuki), A History of Japan Vol 3 Showa 1944-1953, p.152

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Steel mill worker reveals blocking view of U.S. aircraft on day of Nagasaki atomic bombing"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151122171430/http://mainichi.jp/english/english/features/news/20140726p2a00m0na014000c.html). *Mainichi*. Mainichi Japan. July 26, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://mainichi.jp/english/english/features/news/20140726p2a00m0na014000c.html) on November 22, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Nagasaki: The Last Bomb"](http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/nagasaki-the-last-bomb). *The New Yorker*. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Takao, Yasuo (November 3, 2016). "Kitakyushu's environmental business". [*Japan's Environmental Politics and Governance: From Trading Nation to EcoNation*](https://www.google.co.jp/books/edition/Japan_s_Environmental_Politics_and_Gover/x15uDQAAQBAJ?hl=ja&gbpv=0). Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-317-51777-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-317-51777-1).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hge3_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hge3_15-1) ["公害克服への取り組み"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/kankyou/file_0269.html). *北九州市* (in Japanese). Retrieved June 19, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Yanagi, Tetsuo; Yamada, Machiko; Suzuki, Manabu (December 1, 1999). ["A Challenge of Water Purification in Dokai Bay, Japan"](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X99001927). *Marine Pollution Bulletin*. **38** (12): 1063–1069. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1999MarPB..38.1063Y](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1999MarPB..38.1063Y). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00192-7](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS0025-326X%2899%2900192-7). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0025-326X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0025-326X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Kagami, Mitsuhiro (February 23, 2007). "Iron Town Cluster: Yawata, its Glory, Decline and Rebirth". [*Industrial Agglomeration and New Technologies*](https://doi.org/10.4337/9781847204462.00009). pp. 55–60. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4337/9781847204462.00009](https://doi.org/10.4337%2F9781847204462.00009). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781847204462](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781847204462).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** OECD (October 18, 2013). [*Green Growth in Kitakyushu, Japan*](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/green-growth-in-kitakyushu-japan_9789264195134-en.html). OECD. p. 35. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1787/9789264204614-ja](https://doi.org/10.1787%2F9789264204614-ja). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9264204607](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9264204607).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shapira3_19-0)** Shapira, Philip (1990). ["Industrial Restructuring and Economic Development Strategies in a Japanese Steel Town: The Case of Kitakyushu"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/40112949). *The Town Planning Review*. **61** (4): 393. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0041-0020](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0041-0020).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** OECD (October 18, 2013). [*Green Growth in Kitakyushu, Japan*](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/green-growth-in-kitakyushu-japan_9789264195134-en.html). OECD. pp. 38–42. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1787/9789264204614-ja](https://doi.org/10.1787%2F9789264204614-ja). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9264204607](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9264204607).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["環境首都を目指す取組"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/shisei/menu01_0433.html). *北九州市* (in Japanese). Retrieved June 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["北九州フィルム・コミッション - 北九州市"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/shimin/08400059.html). *www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp* (in Japanese). Retrieved February 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shapira4_23-0)** Shapira, Philip (1990). ["Industrial Restructuring and Economic Development Strategies in a Japanese Steel Town: The Case of Kitakyushu"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/40112949). *The Town Planning Review*. **61** (4): 405–406. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0041-0020](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0041-0020).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_24-1) ["北九州空港が変える福岡市と北九州市の将来"](https://www.agi.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/WP2014-13.pdf) (PDF) (in Japanese). 公益財団法人アジア成長研究所. Retrieved May 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Guardian Angels Japan finding less to do in Kitakyushu, one-time city of yakuza 'endless conflict'"](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/07/05/national/guardian-angels-japan-finding-less-kitakyushu-one-time-city-yakuza-endless-conflict/). *The Japan Times*. July 5, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-as24_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-as24_26-1) ["Kita-Kyushu sheds image as city gripped by yakuza violence"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120060227/https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14831166). *The Asahi Shimbun*. Archived from [the original](https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14831166) on January 20, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["人口の推移"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/page/toukei/sougou/nenkan/03/0301.xlsx) (in Japanese). 北九州市. Retrieved February 18, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["高齢者人口・高齢化率"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/files/000898006.pdf) (PDF) (in Japanese). 北九州市. Retrieved February 18, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["スタートアップ企業の"出現率" 最も高いのは福岡県・北九州市 30代起業家が口をそろえる「破格の補助金」と「エンジニアにとって良い土壌」 | TBS NEWS DIG (1ページ)"](https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1640435). *TBS NEWS DIG* (in Japanese). December 29, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yokohamaPop_30-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yokohamaPop_30-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-yokohamaPop_30-2) ["Population News of Major Cities"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160113184700/http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/ex/stat/jinko/city/new-e.html). City of Yokohama. October 1, 2018. Archived from [the original](http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/ex/stat/jinko/city/new-e.html) on January 13, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["五区から七区へ"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230907233241/https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/page/dayori-arc/dayori1974/740115_pageall.pdf) (PDF). *市政だより* (in Japanese). City of Kitakyushu. January 15, 1974. p. 4. Archived from [the original](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/page/dayori-arc/dayori1974/740115_pageall.pdf) (PDF) on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）](https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=82&block_no=0780&year=&month=&day=&view=). [JMA](/source/Japan_Meteorological_Agency). Retrieved March 3, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** [気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）](https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=82&block_no=0780&year=&month=&day=&view=). [JMA](/source/Japan_Meteorological_Agency). Retrieved March 3, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["アジア交流広域都市圏の形成に関する調査報告書"](https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000054707.pdf) (PDF) (in Japanese). 国土交通省国土計画局・国土交通省九州地方整備局. 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["「中国地方」住みたい街ランキングトップ10、1位に輝いたアノお城がある街とは？"](https://zuuonline.com/archives/62290). *ZUU online* (in Japanese). ZUU. May 30, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** OECD (October 18, 2013). [*Green Growth in Kitakyushu, Japan*](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/green-growth-in-kitakyushu-japan_9789264195134-en.html). OECD. p. 111. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1787/9789264204614-ja](https://doi.org/10.1787%2F9789264204614-ja). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9264204607](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9264204607).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["国家戦略特区の福岡市の高島宗一郎市長「首相のリーダーシップ欠かせない」「耳疑った民進の停止法案」"](https://www.sankei.com/article/20170615-56I4CBXWG5ILLKV53IQZXXVBEY/). *産経ニュース* (in Japanese). 産業経済新聞社. June 15, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** Yoshitsugu Kanemoto. ["Metropolitan Employment Area (MEA) Data"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111107/http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm). Center for Spatial Information Science, The [University of Tokyo](/source/University_of_Tokyo). Archived from [the original](http://www.csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UEA/uea_data_e.htm) on June 15, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** [Conversion rates - Exchange rates](https://data.oecd.org/conversion/exchange-rates.htm) - OECD Data

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** "[Corporate Info](https://www.zenrin.co.jp/english/company/info/index.html)." [Zenrin](/source/Zenrin). Retrieved on March 6, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** "[Corporate Data](http://www.toto.co.jp/company/profile_en/outline/index.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160211205850/http://www.toto.co.jp/company/profile_en/outline/index.htm) 2016-02-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)." [TOTO](/source/Toto_Ltd.). Retrieved on April 9, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Corporate Data"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141211045817/http://www.yaskawa.co.jp/en/company/outline02.html). [Yaskawa Electric Corporation](/source/Yaskawa_Electric_Corporation). Archived from [the original](http://www.yaskawa.co.jp/en/company/outline02.html) on December 11, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** ["株式会社三井ハイテック"](https://www.mitsui-high-tec.com/). *www.mitsui-high-tec.com*. Retrieved September 13, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** "[会社概要](http://www.starflyer.jp/starflyer/company_profile.html)." StarFlyer. Retrieved on December 20, 2010. "本社 〒800-0306 福岡県北九州市小倉南区空港北町6番 北九州空港スターフライヤー本社ビル"

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CompProf_45-0)** "[Company Profile](https://web.archive.org/web/20080208174121/http://www.starflyer.jp/english/starflyer/starflyer.html)." StarFlyer. Retrieved on May 26, 2009. Location Shin-Kokura Bldg., 2-2-1 Komemachi Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyusyu-shi Fukuoka 802-0003 JPN

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** "[会社概要](https://web.archive.org/web/20080324205403/http://www.starflyer.jp/starflyer/company_profile.html)." StarFlyer. March 24, 2008. Retrieved on December 20, 2010. "本社 〒802-0003 福岡県北九州市小倉北区米町二丁目2番1号 新小倉ビル JR小倉駅より徒歩10分."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Mishima, Kohei (2016). "専属的な受託生産企業の発生と存続のメカニズム ―自動車産業におけるトヨタとトヨタ九州の委託生産関係―" [The mechanism of exclusive contractor firms' formation and existence: a contract manufacturing relationship between Toyota and Toyota Kyushu in the automotive industry]. *Akamon Management Review* (in Japanese). **15** (2). Global Business Research Center: 79–87. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.14955/amr.150201](https://doi.org/10.14955%2Famr.150201). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1347-4448](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1347-4448).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization (2010). *Kyushu's Must-See Tourist Spots*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** ["Rising Sun International Film Festival"](https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/event/rising-sun-international-film-festival/). *Fukuoka Now*. October 19, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** ["Rising Sun International Film Festival"](https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/event/rising-sun-international-film-festival-2/). *Fukuoka Now*. October 19, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** ["Rising Sun International Film Festival"](https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/event/rising-sun-international-film-festival-3/). *Fukuoka Now*. October 31, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** ["Karatsu Rising Sun International Film Festival"](https://krsiff.jp/english/). *唐津ライジングサン国際映画祭 -*. November 13, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-53)** ["Rising Sun International Film Festival"](https://filmfreeway.com/RSIFF). *[FilmFreeway](/source/FilmFreeway)*. Retrieved June 12, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-54)** ["Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa (Float) Festival"](http://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/en/event/?mode=detail&id=4000000001372). *Crossroad Fukuoka*. Fukuoka Prefecture Tourist Association. Retrieved December 9, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-55)** ["Kokura Gion"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191215151647/http://webtv.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/en/movies/detail/291). *Fukuoka Internet TV*. Archived from [the original](http://webtv.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/en/movies/detail/291) on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-56)** [北九州ぐるりん観光ナビ【門司みなと祭】](http://www.kitakyushu-area.jp/point/a0e045/index.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190701224221/http://www.kitakyushu-area.jp/point/a0e045/index.html) July 1, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Kitakyushu-area.jp. Retrieved on December 9, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-57)** [Festivals](http://kqkicks.antazi.com/festivals.htm). Kqkicks.antazi.com. Retrieved on December 9, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-58)** [フリーマーケット出店者の皆様へお知らせ - グリーンパーク【響灘緑地】](http://www.kpfmmf.jp/green/free_market/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130613201616/http://www.kpfmmf.jp/green/free_market/) June 13, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Kpfmmf.jp. Retrieved on December 9, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-59)** ["Kitakyushu will host Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in 2021"](https://gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?idNews=2991). *gymnastics.sport*. Retrieved July 4, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-60)** [姉妹・友好都市の紹介](https://web.archive.org/web/20190906143317/https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/soumu/file_0233.html) [Introduction of sisters · friendship cities]. *City of Kitakyushu* (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/soumu/file_0233.html) on September 6, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** ["環境姉妹都市"](https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/kikaku/01800224.html) (in Japanese). Kitakyushu. Retrieved May 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-62)** [Câmara Municipal de Ipatinga: Lei Nº618 de 24/07/1978 - "Considera Kitakyushu, no Japão, cidade irmã de Ipatinga".](https://www.camaraipatinga.mg.gov.br/normas-juridicas/623?slug=considera-kitakyushu-no-japao-cidade-irma-de-ipatinga)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-63)** [姉妹都市・交流都市](https://web.archive.org/web/20181117105023/http://www.city.minamikyushu.lg.jp/cgi-bin/hpViewContent.cgi?pID=20090206113013&pLang=ja) [Sister city, exchange city]. *Minamikyushu city* (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.minamikyushu.lg.jp/cgi-bin/hpViewContent.cgi?pID=20090206113013&pLang=ja) on November 17, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** [175R – Free listening, concerts, stats, & pictures at](http://www.last.fm/music/175R). Last.fm. Retrieved on December 9, 2013.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Kitakyushu](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Kitakyushu,_Fukuoka).

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Kitakyushu](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kitakyushu#Q188806)***.

- [City of Kitakyushu (English)](http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/english/index.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190407062934/https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/english/index.html) April 7, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [City of Kitakyushu City (Japanese)](http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp)

- [Newsletter Kitakyushu Bridges](http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/english/e20100007.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190729124506/https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/english/e20100007.html) July 29, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Kitakyushu city travel guide](http://www.gururich-kitaq.com/en/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190831025816/https://www.gururich-kitaq.com/en/) August 31, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Kitakyushu Science and Research Park](http://www.ksrp.or.jp/e/index.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191215151647/http://www.ksrp.or.jp/e/index.html) December 15, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [CCA Kitakyushu](http://cca-kitakyushu.org/?lang=en) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191225201931/http://cca-kitakyushu.org/?lang=en) December 25, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Introduction to Kitakyushu (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17kW6WyjvF4&t=4s)

v t e Kitakyushu Wards Kokurakita Kokuraminami Moji Tobata Wakamatsu Yahatahigashi Yahatanishi Education University of Kitakyushu Kyushu Korean Junior-Senior High School Transportation Kitakyushu Airport Kitakyushu Monorail Moji Station Mojikō Station Landmarks Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History Kokura Castle Wakato Bridge Yahata Steel Works Culture Tobata Gion Yamagasa festival Wasshoi Hyakuman Natsumatsuri

Links to related articles v t e Fukuoka Prefecture Fukuoka (capital) Fukuoka Wards Higashi Hakata Chūō Minami Nishi Jōnan Sawara Kitakyushu Wards Moji Wakamatsu Tobata Kokurakita Kokuraminami Yahatahigashi Yahatanishi Core city Kurume Cities Asakura Buzen Chikugo Chikushino Dazaifu Fukutsu Iizuka Itoshima Kasuga Kama Koga Miyama Miyawaka Munakata Nakagawa Nakama Nōgata Ogōri Ōkawa Ōmuta Ōnojō Tagawa Ukiha Yame Yanagawa Yukuhashi Districts Asakura District Chikuzen Tōhō Chikujō District Chikujō Kōge Yoshitomi Kaho District Keisen Kasuya District Hisayama Kasuya Sasaguri Shime Shingū Sue Umi Kurate District Kotake Kurate Mii District Tachiarai Miyako District Kanda Miyako Mizuma District Ōki Onga District Ashiya Mizumaki Okagaki Onga Tagawa District Aka Fukuchi Itoda Kawara Kawasaki Ōtō Soeda Yame District Hirokawa List of mergers in Fukuoka Prefecture v t e Metropolitan cities of Japan Tokyo Metropolis Special wards of Tokyo※ Adachi Arakawa Bunkyō Chiyoda Chūō Edogawa Itabashi Katsushika Kita Kōtō Meguro Minato Nakano Nerima Ōta Setagaya Shibuya Shinagawa Shinjuku Suginami Sumida Toshima Taitō Designated cities Chiba※ Fukuoka※ Hamamatsu Hiroshima※ Kawasaki Kitakyushu Kobe※ Kumamoto※ Kyoto※ Nagoya※ Niigata※ Okayama※ Osaka※ Sagamihara Saitama※ Sakai Sapporo※ Sendai※ Shizuoka※ Yokohama※ Core cities Akashi Akita※ Amagasaki Aomori※ Asahikawa Fukui※ Fukushima※ Fukuyama Funabashi Gifu※ Hachinohe Hachiōji Hakodate Higashiōsaka Himeji Hirakata Ichinomiya Iwaki Kagoshima※ Kanazawa※ Kashiwa Kawagoe Kawaguchi Kōchi※ Kōfu※ Kōriyama Koshigaya Kurashiki Kure Kurume Maebashi※ Matsue※ Matsumoto Matsuyama※ Miyazaki※ Mito※ Morioka※ Naha※ Nagano※ Nagasaki※ Nara※ Neyagawa Nishinomiya Ōita※ Okazaki Ōtsu※ Sasebo Shimonoseki Suita Takamatsu※ Takasaki Takatsuki Tottori※ Toyama※ Toyohashi Toyonaka Toyota Utsunomiya※ Wakayama※ Yao Yamagata※ Yokosuka Special cities Atsugi Chigasaki☆ Fuji☆ Hiratsuka Ibaraki Isesaki Jōetsu Kakogawa Kasugai Kasukabe Kishiwada☆ Kumagaya Nagaoka Numazu Odawara☆ Ōta Saga※ Sōka Takarazuka Tokorozawa☆ Tsukuba☆ Yamato Yokkaichi☆ Prefectural capitals without designation Tsu Tokushima Yamaguchi ※ also a prefectural capital; ☆ to become core cities v t e Metropolitan areas in Japan with a population of over a million Hokkaido region Sapporo (Wikidata) Ishikari Shiribeshi Sorachi Tōhoku region Sendai (Wikidata) Miyagi Kantō region Utsunomiya (Wikidata) Tochigi Maebashi (Wikidata) Gunma Tokyo Saitama Chiba Tokyo Kanagawa Ibaraki Yamanashi Chūbu region Niigata (Wikidata) Niigata Toyama (Wikidata) Toyama Hamamatsu (Wikidata) Shizuoka Nagoya (Wikidata) Gifu Aichi Mie Kinki region Kyoto (Wikidata) Shiga Kyoto Osaka (Wikidata) Kyoto Osaka Hyogo Nara Wakayama Kobe (Wikidata) Hyogo Chūgoku region Okayama (Wikidata) Okayama Hiroshima (Wikidata) Hiroshima Kyushu region Kitakyushu (Wikidata) Fukuoka Fukuoka (Wikidata) Fukuoka Kumamoto (Wikidata) Kumamoto v t e Cities in Japan with a population of 200,000+ 2,000,000 and more Tokyo (capital) Yokohama Osaka Nagoya 1,000,000–1,999,999 Sapporo Fukuoka Kobe Kyoto Kawasaki Saitama Hiroshima Sendai 500,000–999,999 Kitakyushu Chiba Setagaya Sakai Niigata Hamamatsu Shizuoka Sagamihara Nerima Okayama Ōta Kumamoto Edogawa Adachi Kagoshima Funabashi Hachiōji Kawaguchi Himeji Suginami Itabashi Matsuyama Higashiōsaka Utsunomiya 200,000–499,999 Matsudo Nishinomiya Kurashiki Ichikawa, Chiba Oita Fukuyama Amagasaki Kanazawa Nagasaki Kōtō Katsushika Yokosuka Toyama Toyota Takamatsu Machida Gifu Hirakata Fujisawa Kashiwa Toyonaka Nagano Toyohashi Ichinomiya Wakayama Okazaki Miyazaki Nara Suita Takatsuki Shinagawa Asahikawa Iwaki Kochi Takasaki Kōriyama Tokorozawa Kawagoe Kita Akita Ōtsu Koshigaya Maebashi Naha Nakano, Tokyo Shinjuku Yokkaichi Aomori Kurume Kasugai Morioka Akashi Fukushima Tsu Shimonoseki Nagaoka Ichihara Hakodate Yao Ibaraki, Osaka Fukui Meguro Kakogawa Tokushima Mito Hiratsuka Toshima Yamagata Sasebo Fuchū, Tokyo Kure, Hiroshima Hachinohe Saga Neyagawa Sōka Sumida Fuji Kasukabe Chigasaki Matsumoto Atsugi Yamato Ageo Takarazuka Chōfu Ōta, Gunma Tsukuba Numazu Joetsu Shibuya Minato Kumagaya Isesaki Nishitokyo Kishiwada Tottori

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kitakyushu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitakyushu) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitakyushu?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.