Recommended sightseeing spots in Mekari Park

Mekari Park is located at the western edge of Setonaikai National Park, in Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, the northernmost part of Kyushu, it is an urban park that developed in the area of Mt. Kojo (altitude about 175m), where the ruins of Moji Castle are located. It is also close to Mojiko Retro District. Its total area is 37.1 ha. The vast park also includes a waterfront area with up-close views of the Kanmon Straits, the Kanmon Bridge and passing ships.

Mekari Park has the “Second Observation Deck” that offers a spectacular view of the Kanmon Straits and Kanmon Bridge. From the Second Observation Deck, a panoramic view stretches from Mojiko to Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi Prefecture). The view is popular not only during the daytime, but also at night when the illuminated Kanmon Bridge and city lights add color to the scene.

In addition, a large mural, “Genpei Dannoura Battle,” approximately 3 m high and 44 m long, depicting the battle of Dannoura (1185), is installed on the Second Observation Deck. The original of this mural was created with reference to the “Engi-ezu of Emperor Antoku,” a shrine treasure of Akama Jingu Shrine (Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture), which sits on the opposite shore of Mekari Park, and was expressed using approximately 1,400 ceramic panels (30cm x 35cm) made of Arita ware porcelain, making it the largest ceramic mural in Japan. Incidentally, Arita ware is porcelain produced in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, and the surrounding area, and was called Imari ware during the Edo period (17th to mid-19th centuries).

The scene in which Nii no Ama (wife of Taira no Kiyomori, grandmother of Emperor Antoku) decides to commit suicide by drowning and comforts Emperor Antoku (8 years old) when the defeat of the Heike (“Heike” meaning the Taira clan) becomes decisive.

The scene in which Kenreimonin (daughter of Taira no Kiyomori, mother of Emperor Antoku), who threw herself into the sea in pursuit of Emperor Antoku, is saved by a warrior of the Minamoto clan.

The scene in which Minamoto no Yoshitsune, pursued by Taira no Noritsune, a fierce Heike general, jumps from one boat to another among eight boats to fend off Heike attacks. This scene has been passed down through the ages as “Yoshitsune’s eight-boat jump.”

Norfolk Square was developed in the image of a seaside park in Norfolk City, Virginia, U.S.A., the sister city of Kitakyushu City, The square features an anchor monument with the city emblem and map of Norfolk City as its motif. The distance between Norfolk Square and Dannoura on the opposite shore is about 600 m wide at the narrowest part of the Kanmon Straits. It is a difficult place to navigate with tidal currents reaching up to 10 knots, and is also famous as the site of the ancient battle of Dannoura. There are many benches set up in the plaza so people can see the Kanmon Straits, and people can watch the ships passing through the Kanmon Straits. In addition, a 1-km section from Norfolk Square to Shiomihana Park, passing under the Kanmon Bridge, is a Tide-viewing promenade, so it is also recommended to watch the tides flow like a river while listening to the sound of the waves. The Kanmon Straits are one of Japan’s three most rapid tidal currents, along with Naruto Straits and Kurushima Straits.

The Mojiko Retro Kanko Line (nickname: Shiokaze-go) is a sightseeing trolley train that runs 2.1km between Mojiko and Mekari Park. With a maximum speed of 15km/h, it is the slowest railway in Japan, and because it runs slowly, you can enjoy plenty of views of the Mojiko Retro District and the Kanmon Strait. There are two stations within Mekari Park: Norfolk Hiroba Station and the terminal station, Kanmonkaikyo Mekari Station. If you want to access the second observation deck, get off at Norfolk Hiroba Station, or if you want to access Mekari Shrine or the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel, get off at Kanmonkaikyo Mekari station, it is convenient. Regular service runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (all year round, excluding New Year’s holidays). The ride from Kyushu Tetsudo Kinenkan Station to Kanmonkaikyo Mekari Station is 10 minutes. There are 11 round trips a day, every 40 minutes, from 10:00 to 17:00. There is also a night service (6 round trips) until 21:00.

*Due to the naming rights system, the Mojiko Retro Kanko Line is now known as the Kitakyushu Bank Retro Train.

In front of Kanmonkaikyo Mekari Station, the stainless-steel electric locomotive “EF30 1” and the passenger car “Ohafu 33 488” are preserved in static condition. Oahu 33 488, nicknamed Kanmon-go, is used as a rest area and cafe. The name of the cafe is “Ohafu 33”. (The cafe is currently closed)

On the west side of the static preservation of railroad cars (Kanmon-go), there is a park playground equipment in the shape of an octopus, one of the largest in Japan, called “Tako Yama (octopus mountain)”. The octopus from the Kanmon Straits has a reputation for being very tasty and firm because it is nurtured by the fast currents of the Kanmon Straits. The area around Tako Yama is covered with lawn, from which one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kanmon Straits.

A 6 minut- walk from Kanmonkaikyo Mekari Station, Mekari Shrine is located at the west end of Mekari Park. Mekari in Mekari Park means “to reap Wakame seaweed” and is derived from the Mekari Shrine. According to shrine legend, the shrine was founded in 200 AD. For more details are explained in the “Mekari Shrine” section.

The pedestrian entrance to the Kanmon Tunnel is located near Mekari Shrine, allowing visitors to cross the bottom of the Kanmon Straits on foot. 10 minutes away is “Mimosusogawa Park” (Dannoura ancient battlefield site), a famous sightseeing spot in Shimonoseki. For more details are explained in the “Kanmon Tunnel” section.

Access to  Mekari Park

It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to Kitakyushu Airport. It takes about 35 minutes by Nishitetsu Bus from Kitakyushu Airport to JR Kokura Station.

It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes by Sanyo Shinkansen from JR Shin-Osaka Station to JR Kokura Station.

About 15 minutes by Kagoshima Main Line (bound for Mojiko Station) from JR Kokura Station to JR Mojiko Station. 20 minute-walk from JR Mojiko Station. Alternatively, from JR Mojiko Station take Nishitetsu Bus (bound for Mekari) to Mekari Koen Mae bus stop, a short walk.

Alternatively, it is 2 minute-walk from JR Mojiko Station to Kitakyushu Bank Retro Line Kyushu Tetsudo Kinenkan Station. It takes about 10 minutes from Kyushu Railway Memorial Station to Norfolk Hiroba Station. A short walk from Norfolk Hiroba Station.