Excursion Kokura castle garden & bullet train ride tour at Fukuoka

Your tour begins with an approximately 30-min drive to the Hakata Station. Upon arrival, board the high-speed Shinkansen bullet train for approx. 15-minute ride to Kokura, then board a coach and drive to the Furoshiki Wrapping Experience. Furoshiki is a Japanese traditional wrapping cloth that can be used to carry gifts, clothes, and other goods. Since it can be used for multiple purposes and can replace plastic bags, furoshiki is considered very eco-friendly. Enjoy learning how to use this traditional cloth. You will have a chance to purchase your favorite kokura ori product.

Next, after an approximately 60min drive you will arrive to Kokura Castle Garden. It is a reconstruction of the original garden and is not very large but is a quiet oasis from the busy streets nearby. It was originally built for the Hosokawa clan but the Ogasawara clan took over and controlled the castle for most of the Edo Period. The famed swordsman Miyamoto Musashi almost certainly spent time enjoying the garden while he lived here. It is a stroll type garden with a path going around a small pond.

Then head to Kokura Castle. It was built in 1602 at the beginning of the Edo Period. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1866, and the current castle tower is a ferro-concrete reconstruction from 1959. The castle's traditional architecture provides an interesting visual contrast to the neighboring modern shopping and entertainment center.

After your visit, re-board the coach and commence the approximate 70-minute transfer back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Fukuoka, 15minutes bullet train ride (one-way only), Kokura Castle & Garden, Furoshiki Wrapping Experience

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking (approximately 1,5 km or 0.9miles) with around 150 steps at the various sites and a few to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is not suitable for guests with guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Due to the popularity of sights visited, some crowding may be anticipated. Although credit cards are mainly accepted, Japanese yen is required for any purchases: guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior to the cruise. The tour sequence may vary. Local Tour Guides tend to have a strong accent therefore we urge flexibility.