Northernmost city of Kyushu!
Ordinance-designated city with the second largest population in Kyushu
Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture is the northernmost city of Kyushu. With the second largest population in Kyushu following Fukuoka City, Kitakyushu is one of the major cities in Kyushu. In addition to being the center of an area known as the Kitakyushu metropolitan area, Kitakyushu City forms, together with its neighboring city Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi Prefecture), the Kanmon metropolitan area.
Monozukuri (Manufacturing)
The city supporting the development of Japan’s modern industries
Since the foundation of the government-run Yawata Steel Works in 1901, Kitakyushu City has evolved as a manufacturing city, with key industries such as steel, chemical, ceramic, cement and electric. As one of the four largest industrial zones in Japan, the City has contributed to the economic growth of Japan. In recent years, the City has also been attracting automobile-related and environment/energy related industries.
International students in Kitakyushu!
Every year the number of international students in Kitakyushu grows, as students from China, Vietnam, Nepal and around the world come to study here. In addition to their studies and daily life, there is also an increasing number of opportunities for international students to interact with each other at a variety of events.
Selected as the only SDGs Model City in Asia,
Kitakyushu City is aiming to be the world’s environmental capital.
During the course of rapid economic development in the 1950s and 1960s, Kitakyushu City faced severe pollution problems. The city’s residents, companies and the government have banded together to improve the environment. Thanks to their enormous efforts, pollution problems have been dramatically improved.
Taking advantage of experiences, technologies and know-how accumulated through the process of overcoming pollution problems, Kitakyushu City government has been promoting comprehensive environmental initiatives, including the Eco-Town Project, which aims to promote international cooperation with developed countries in the environmental field and the 3R of waste, and a project to realize a low-carbon society. In recognition of these efforts, Kitakyushu was selected by the Japanese government as an Environmental Model City (2008), Environmental Future City (2011), and SDGs Future City (2018).
As evidenced by winning the UNEP Global 500 Award (1990) and the UN Local Government Honours Award (1992), Kitakyushu’s environmental achievements have been highly recognized internationally. In 2018, the City was selected by OECD as the only SDGs Model City in Asia. Kitakyushu City is aiming to be the world’s environmental capital.
Sightseeing
Kitakyushu is full of tourist attractions, such as the UNESCO World Heritage-registered industrial modernization sites, the Mojiko Retro area with a nostalgic atmosphere, art galleries and museums, and spots where you can enjoy Japanese subculture like manga and anime. You can also enjoy natural experiences. You shouldn’t miss festivals and traditional events such as Wasshoi Hyakumangoku Summer Festival, Kokura Gion Daiko Festival, Tobata Gion Oyamagasa Festival, and Kurosaki Gion Yamagasa Festival.
