Highlights of the Itinerary

Moji Port Area

Moji Port is located in the northern part of the Moji ward in Kitakyushu City, Japan, facing the Kanmon Strait. Renowned for its waterfront warehouses and historic buildings, Moji Port exudes the atmosphere of an ancient port town.

Since its designation as a special export port for specific goods such as rice, wheat, flour, coal, and sulfur in 1889, Moji Port attracted financial institutions, trading companies, and shipping companies, becoming a hub for foreign trade routes. Before the opening of the Kanmon Railway Tunnel in 1942, Moji Port served as a gateway for ferries connecting Kyushu to other regions. However, with the tunnel's completion and disruptions in trade due to events like World War II, Moji Port's prominence declined rapidly.

In 1988, the Moji Port Station building was designated as a national important cultural property, marking a turning point. Subsequent efforts focused on developing the area as a tourist destination based on preserving historical architecture. In March 1995, the Moji Port Retro Area officially opened, attracting over two million visitors annually.

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle is a castle located in Kitakyushu City, Kita-ku, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Also known by various names such as Katsuyama Castle, Katsuno Castle, Shingetsu Castle, Waki Kin Castle, and Koi no Shiro, it was originally constructed by the Mori clan in 1569. The distinctive Tang-style main keep was built by Tadakatsu Hosokawa in 1602. After passing through various feudal lords, the castle faced destruction due to fire in 1837 and was later burned by the Kokura domain in 1866 during the chaos of the Second Choshu Expedition. The main keep was reconstructed in 1959.

Kokura Gion Taiko

Kokura Gion Taiko is a festival held in Kita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the annual festival at Yasaka Shrine within Kokura Castle and has a history dating back approximately 400 years to the Edo period. Alongside Kyoto's Gion Festival and Hakata's Hakata Gion Yamakasa, it is recognized as one of the "Three Great Gion Festivals" nationwide and one of the "Three Great Gion Festivals of Fukuoka Prefecture" alongside Hakata Gion Yamakasa and Tobata Gion Oyamakasa.

Kokura Gion Taiko primarily features the performance of taiko drums and handbells, earning it the nickname "Taiko Gion." The drumming styles include "Mawari Taiko," where drums are mounted on floats and played while moving, and "Sude Taiko," where drums are set on stages and struck. The rhythmic sounds of the taiko drums symbolize wishes for peace, prosperity, bountiful harvests, thriving businesses, and family safety. Unlike many festivals with restrictions on female participation, Kokura Gion Taiko has no such prohibitions, allowing women to pull festival floats and play the drums freely.

*The fare includes the transportation round trip from venue to attractions, boat trip, all entrance and sightseeing fees, and lunch

Itinerary Schedule

All attractions are introduced below. Please note that the schedule is subject to minor changes for the sake of smooth travel experiences.

09:00-19:00, July 20, 2024

Timeline:

·         9:00 AM: Depart from Hakata Station

·         10:15 AM: Visit Kushida Market

·         12:00 PM: Lunch (Enjoy a local Kitakyushu-style meal)

·         1:00 PM: Explore Moji Port

·         3:30 PM: Visit Kokura Castle (Enjoy Kokura Gion Taiko performance)

·         5:00 PM: Ascend to Mt. Sarakura

·         7:00 PM: Return to Hakata Station

Rates

1.   Conference delegate: $ 100 USD per person

2.   Accompanying person: $ 120 USD per person

Reservation and Payment Deadline / May 15^th, 2024

This itinerary will provide travel insurance for all participants: participants are required to provide

1. Full Name, 2. Age, 3. Passport Number.

Attention

Important Information