A place for learning, entertainment and relaxation. Attractions include a historic port, a former castle town, museums, amusement facilities and scenic views.

Kita-Kyushu is located in the northern part of Fukuoka and is the gateway to the Kyushu region. Separated by the Kanmon Straits, the city faces Shimonoseki of Yamaguchi, the southernmost city on Honshu. While Kita-Kyushu has developed into the largest heavy-industry city in the Kyushu region, the city has some of the major sightseeing spots in the region. They include the Moji Port (designated as a special export port in the Meiji Era), Kokura (a castle town that was the starting point of the Nagasaki-kaido Highway), and Yahata-Higashida with Space World and the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History. It is a sightseeing city where more than 10 million tourists visit each year.

The Moji Port flourished as the gateway of trade with the continent in the early 20th century. After being repaired and renovated, the western buildings that tell us of the prosperity of the port in those days have been gathered into one area. This area is called the Moji-ko (Moji Port) Retro Area. Nowadays, many Japanese and foreign tourists visit here to enjoy strolling around romantic streets with the port town atmosphere, listening to the sound of the waves.

In the Kokura district, with an atmosphere of an old castle town, are Kokura Castle, known as a great castle built in the 'kara-zukuri' style, and the Kokura Castle Garden. The garden was made by reproducing a feudal lord's garden, the study house of a samurai residence, etc. at the remains of 'shimo-yashiki' (entertainment residence) of the owner of the Kokura Castle. In the garden, you can experience Edo culture by learning about Ogawasawa manners and enjoying tea and sweets.

In the Yahata-Higashida district, there are Space World (the world's first space theme park), the largest museum of natural history and history in western Japan (the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History), the Environment Museum (where you can learn about how the city overcame its pollution problems and global environmental issues by looking at and touching various displays), and Innovation Gallery (where you can learn about the history of the world technological revolution). The district offers many amusement facilities for all generations from children to adults to have fun and learn all day.

The spectacular night view from neighboring Mt. Sarakura-yama has been chosen as one of the new three most beautiful night views in Japan. You can climb to the top of the mountain by cable car and slope car, while enjoying the views. Also, you can refresh your body and soul at the natural hot spring facility "Ajisai-no-yu," during your day trip, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of this mountainous area.

Convenient for making a round of the sightseeing spots in the city are the trolley cars, nicknamed "ting-ting densha," that run in all directions to serve the citizens of Matsuyama as a daily means of transportation. Having everything to make you feel idyllic, from the orange matchbox style to the wooden-made interior with velvet-covered seats, the driver's uniform, and the ting-ting sound as alighting signal, the trolley car gives you a comfortable ride, not to mention the exhilaration of going right through the middle of a busy street. In addition, the steam train that ran for 67 years from 1888, and which people in "Bocchan (Young boy)," a novel written by one of Japan's great literary figures Soseki Natsume, used, was renovated in 2001. It is now called the "Bocchan Train," and this steam train running around and blowing a whistle is loved by many tourists.

The bridge linking Shikoku and other islands with Honshu, surrounded by the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

The Nishi-Seto Expressway, also known as the Seto-uchi Shimanami-Kaido (highway above sea), was opened to traffic on 1 May 1999. The bridge connects Onomichi City in Hiroshima and Imabari City in Ehime, as well as six islands (namely Mukai-shima, Inno-shima, Ikuchi-jima, Omi-shima, Hakata-jima, and O-shima islands) within the Geiyo Islands situated near the center of the Seto Inland Sea. The completion of the Shimanami-Kaido has made Ehime more easily accessible from Honshu and driving through the Geiyo Islands possible. The highway also allows passage by bicycle and on foot.