Kitakyushu
Japan
Sister City Since 1959
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The City of Tacoma and Kokura, Japan established a sister city relationship in 1959.
In 1963, the five Japanese cities of Moji, Kokura, Wakamatsu, Yahata, and Tobata joined to form the “super city” of Kitakyushu. One year later, the ports of Moji, Kokura, and Dokai joined to form the Port of Kitakyushu.
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Our Current Committee Chair:
Mira Utz, Resource Center Manager, Green River College
Past chairs and Members:
Elmira Utz, Theresa Spuck, Ashley T. Jordan, Cody Young, Naomi Bender, Reiko Mowery, Amelia Hagen, Debbie Bingham, Joelle Dela Cruz, Darrellene Canada, Mikiko S. Ludden, Haruka Fujiwara, Kevin Ikeda, Matthew Linden, Namiko Bagirimvano.
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About Kitakyushu
Kitakyushu City is located in the northern part of Kyushu and has a population of over one million. The Kitakyushu area serves as a nucleus of industry economy and culture for Western Japan. The city is framed by the beauty of nature with clear, blue seas to the front and green, lush mountains to the back. This city has many festivals which date back into ancient history. Especially noteworthy are the three big Gion festivals which decorate the summer months and draw visitors from all over Japan. To make this city a comfortable place to live, the citizens, industries, and municipal government are working together on the “Kitakyushu Renaissance Plan.”Facts
Kawachi Fuji Garden is on many people’s bucket lists, you’ve probably seen a photo of this place somewhere on the internet as it is getting more and more famous.One of the favorite summer festivals, best known and celebrated is the Kokura Gion. Every July, there’s no missing it—early during the month you will already hear them practicing, a distant taiko drumming throughout the streets. Taiko means drum in JapaneseBuilt in 1602 and reconstructed again in 1990 after it was burned down by a clan war in 1866, the Kokura Castle is a sight to behold. Every cherry blossom season in spring this is where most people go and have a picnic under the trees.Mount Sarakura is a 2,041 ft. mountain in Yahatahigashi, it is known to offer one of the three major night views in Japan.Kanmon Bridge connects Kitakyushu to Shimonoseki. It is very picturesque and scenic and a walk from Mojiko station. From the bridge you can enjoy the view of Kanmon Strait and boats sailing by and the skyline of Shimonoseki in the backdrop.