Kokura Castle: Kokura City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Kokura Castle 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.

The castle grounds are now known as Katsuyama Park and are a popular cherry blossom spot but in reality that structure and its surround offers remarkable foliage and nature spots all year long,  The castle keep seems to have four floors from the outside, but actually has five on the inside. The modern interior introduces the local history with displays, an interactive zone and a small theater where visitors can get a hands-on and visual experience of past castle life. The castle's top floor offers panoramic views over the city and has a great cafe to get a drink and a snack in a relaxing atmosphere

A small Japanese garden with pond was opened in 1998 on the castle grounds. The garden can be viewed from a traditional building with multiple Tatami rooms whereby a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony can be experienced. The walk around the Castle is also a great and a nearby Shrine can be visited for a quick blessing and prayer and to cap it all off a Gift shop is also present for those who wish to grab that one very special gift or keep sake from your amazing Japanese traditional experience.

Please check out the Kokura Castle below on the map:

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Please click on these videos below to see more about the Kokura Castle.

Ritz Carlton- Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

One of the things that I have to do as a guide is to recommend places of interest, whether they be attractions, restaurants and of course accommodations.  It is very hard to do this if you have not visited these locations and experienced them for yourself.

I have stayed in Ritz Carlton hotels around the world but when the Fukuoka Ritz Carlton opened in June 2023 it was absolutely on my wish list of places to stay.  However one of the customs and standards of practise in Japan is that anything new always commands a higher price and a certain level of attention above and beyond what is expected in the west.

As a result yours truly had to wait approx. a year to enjoy the fruits of ones labors and at the same time feel comfortable partaking in a stay that is on average way above the normal circumstances of pricing.  

May I say that the stay was incredible. I know now why so many friends, associates and customers of Tour Nagasaki had complimented the Ritz Carlton Fukuoka to such a high standard. The check in, the rooms, the ambience, the interior design, the gourmet experiences, the views, the hospitality, the facilities and the spacious rooms just keeps making this stay better and better.

I will recommend this hotel from now on in a heart beat especially for Marriott Bonvoy members and those who want to experience 5 star exquisite luxury and comfort in downtown Fukuoka City.

Check out the Fukuoka Ritz Carlton on this map below:

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Lobby

Elevator Entrance

My room

Bathroom

Very spacious

Incredible views

Huge beds

Ritz Carlton robe

Tea anyone

Champagne on ice

Japanese asthetics

Japanese artistic 

Entrance

I will be back

The building

Restaurant at night

Please click on these videos below to see more of the Fukuoka Ritz Carlton: