How can I reduce the waiting time at Mojiko Princess Pipi?

Princess Pipi tends to have long waiting times, so it's recommended to visit about 20-30 minutes before the store opens and write your name and number of people on the paper outside the shop. The author ordered beef curry, vegetable curry, and banana beer.

What is the admission fee for the Mojiko Retro Observation Deck, and what views can I expect?

The admission fee for one person at the Mojiko Retro Observation Deck is ~$2, and re-entry is permitted once on the same day. From the observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mojiko Retro, Shimonoseki, and the Kanmon Strait.

Are there any tips for riding the monorail and slope car when visiting Mt. Sarakura Observation Deck?

When riding the monorail, we recommend sitting in the very bottom seats where you can see the scenery through the panoramic windows. When transferring to the slope car at the midway point, it's better to join the line to go straight up to the observation deck above rather than taking photos. The summit can be very windy and chilly, so it's advisable to bring a thick outer jacket in spring or early autumn.

What is a recommended Tonkotsu Ramen restaurant near Kokura Station in Kitakyushu?

'Rokunoya Daikoku' near Kokura Station is highly recommended. Their Tonkotsu Ramen has a rich and deep broth with almost no pork smell, and the garlic oil isn't greasy, creating a perfect combination. It's a great choice if you don't prefer Ichiran Ramen or very heavy Tonkotsu.

Kitakyushu Day 3: Mojiko Retro & Sarakurayama Night View…

Today, we're wrapping up our 2-night, 3-day Hiroshima itinerary

and heading to Kitakyushu.

We packed our bags early in the morning at Hiroshima Station

and after a roughly 40-minute Shinkansen ride, we arrived at Kokura Station!

▼ This section is also free if you use the Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Pass ▼

JR West Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Area Pass 5-Day - MyRealTripmyrealt.rip

Even though it wasn't a long journey, the vibe completely changed

as soon as we reached a new city, which was a fresh feeling.

Hotel Livemax Kokura

Hotel Livemax Kokura-Ekimae - MyRealTripmyrealt.rip

For our Kitakyushu accommodation, we booked Hotel Livemax Kokura-Ekimae.

'Ekimae' means 'in front of the station,' and it really was right in front!

It was a great value hotel with a spacious twin room for around ~$41!

The downside was that since it's truly right in front of the station, it got a bit noisy from 6 AM.

It was too early to check in,

so we left our luggage and headed straight to Mojiko Station.

Mojiko Retro

Mojiko is about a 30-minute journey from Kokura Station!

Although we traveled from Hiroshima,

Kitakyushu and Mojiko are actually closer to Fukuoka,

so I highly recommend them if you're looking for a day trip from Fukuoka!

The Mojiko Station sign, which you might have seen on social media.

Everyone takes a commemorative photo as soon as they get off, but if you go

immediately to the left from where you alight, you can snap a shot without crowds!

Princess Pipi

The famous local dish in Mojiko is Yakikare (baked curry),

so we made an 'open run' (arrived right at opening) at Princess Pipi, which I'd researched beforehand.

The reason I chose this place was because I was curious about their banana beer!

For Princess Pipi's waiting list, you write

your name and number of people on a sheet outside the shop, so do that and then you're free to explore!

We explored the area for a bit, and when opening time approached,

we headed back to find the place already bustling with people.

We arrived at 10:30 AM and were the very first in line,

so if you're not a fan of waiting, I recommend getting there 20-30 minutes early!

We ordered one Beef Curry and one Vegetable Curry.

I've tried higher-end curries and soup curries in Japan before,

but this place offered a relatively common and standard curry flavor.

It wasn't bad, but it didn't make me crave it again either.

It was perfectly fine for a casual meal.

The banana beer wasn't overly fragrant;

it had a subtle aroma that was surprisingly pleasant.

The sweetness was followed by a slight bitter finish from the beer,

so it actually paired quite well with the curry.

The complimentary ice cream you get for writing a Google review.

Mojiko Retro Observation Deck

Mojiko Retro Observation Gallery · Japan, 〒801-0853 Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, Moji Ward, Higashiminatomachi, 1−32 門司港レトロハイマート３１階maps.app.goo.gl

With our bellies full, it was time to really start exploring

the area around Mojiko Station.

Our first stop was the Mojiko Retro Observation Deck.

Admission fee: 300 JPY per person / Re-entry allowed once on the same day

After taking the elevator up,

we found an observation deck with panoramic views of Mojiko Retro, Shimonoseki, and even the Kanmon Strait.

Like most observation decks, they say it's much prettier at night than during the day,

so I'll definitely have to come back in the evening next time!

Kitakyushu City Dalian Friendship Memorial Hall

Near the observatory, several memorial halls were clustered together,

and each spot had commemorative stamps you could collect.

Collecting the stamps was so much fun,

so I naturally enjoyed it like a stamp rally while exploring.

I also watched people sightseeing by boat,

Mojiko's famous Banana Postbox

A photo zone known as the 'Lucky Yellow Post'!

Mojiko Retro's mascot, Bananaman!

The statue wasn't in its usual spot, so I searched for it for quite a while.

After all that walking, I started to feel a bit hungry, so I decided to take a break.

I bought a Ringo Ame (candied apple) and a banana chocolate ice cream from a nearby shop.

I saw a lot of Japanese schoolgirls eating Ringo Ame, so I decided to try one myself,

but if you're over 30, maybe skip it (your implants might thank you!)

I stopped by a small arcade shopping street near the station,

and it definitely felt more like a local market than a tourist spot.

It was a bit disappointing as there were hardly any people and many shops were closed.

I actually considered staying overnight in Mojiko,

but there wasn't as much to see as I expected, so half a day was plenty.

Before heading to my next destination, the Sarakurayama Observatory,

I stopped by Starbucks at Mojiko Station for an iced coffee.

Sarakurayama Observatory

Mt.Sarakura observation deck.(Hobashira Park.) · Japan, 〒805-0057 Fukuoka, Kitakyushu, Yahatahigashi Ward, Ogura, 1481-1 2Fmaps.app.goo.gl

For Sarakurayama Observatory, a free shuttle bus operates from Yahata Station,

so I traveled from Mojiko Station to Yahata Station.

▼ For detailed instructions on how to get to Sarakurayama, refer to the post below ▼

[Sarakurayama Observatory] One of Japan's Top 3 Night Views · Free Shuttle · Fees · Night View Reviewblog.naver.com

I thought it would be less crowded on a weekday,

but when I arrived, the shuttle bus line was long,

so I rushed to join the queue, worried I'd miss the bus.

Luckily, I was able to board the arriving bus right away.

Off to Sarakurayama Observatory!

Upon arrival, I bought my ticket and waited to board the monorail.

When riding the monorail, I highly recommend getting a seat at the very bottom!

The panoramic window offers a breathtaking view of the scenery as you ascend.

You transfer to a slope car at an intermediate station,

but it's better to get in line to go straight to the observatory at the top,

rather than lingering to take photos there.

The slope car has limited capacity, so you'll have to wait a while,

and the view from the observatory itself is much more stunning,

so I recommend taking your photos once you reach the summit!

Sarakurayama, known as one of Japan's New Top 3 Night Views.

As the sun set, lights began to twinkle across the city and industrial complexes,

creating an unforgettable, beautiful spectacle.

It was surprisingly windy and quite chilly at the summit,

so I recommend bringing a thick jacket if you're visiting in spring or early autumn.

When it was time to descend, a crowd of people gathered all at once,

and I think I waited about an hour to get on the monorail.

After taking the shuttle bus back to Yahata Station,

we returned to Kokura Station from Yahata Station.

Kitakyushu Tonkotsu Ramen Rokunoya Daikoku

Rokunoya Daikoku · 1 Chome-3-17 Uomachi, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 802-0006, Japanmaps.app.goo.gl

After being out in the chilly wind, I was really craving some warm soup,

so we headed to Rokunoya Daikoku, a famous Tonkotsu Ramen spot!

It was dinner rush hour, so there was a bit of a wait, but

the turnover was quick, so we only waited about 10 minutes

and were able to get in right away.

We ordered two bowls: a classic Tonkotsu Ramen and a Tonkotsu Ramen topped with garlic oil.

The broth was rich and deep, with almost no strong odor,

and the garlic oil wasn't greasy at all – it was a perfect combination.

If you're tired of the usual Ichiran Ramen or

if you're not a fan of heavier Tonkotsu, I highly recommend Rokunoya!

And of course, we wrapped up the day at an izakaya!

We didn't specifically look for one; we just went wherever our feet took us,

and the snacks weren't too salty and tasted delicious :)

And just like that, Day 3 of our trip came to an end!

I'll be back with Day 4 soon 💕

[6박 7일 일본여행 일기 DAY4] 시모노세키 가라토시장 후쿠오카 돈키호테

[6 Nights, 7 Days Japan Trip Diary DAY4] Shimonoseki Karato Market Fukuoka Don Quijoteblog.naver.com

Kitakyushu Day 3: Mojiko Retro & Sarakurayama Night View 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Share this article

Kitakyushu 3-Day Itinerary 2026: How Much Does a Trip Cost?

Fukuoka to Kitakyushu Shinkansen Prices 2026: Booking Guide

Kitakyushu Airport Duty-Free Shopping Guide 2026: Dassai Sake & More

JR Kyushu Station Hotel Kokura: Shimonoseki & Kitakyushu

Shimonoseki Karato Market: Day 4 of Our 2026 Japan Adventure

Sarakurayama Night View Guide 2026: Kitakyushu's Top Observatory

TRVLOGUE