Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu welcomed about 352,000 visitors in fiscal 2025, marking its highest annual attendance in decades outside the years immediately following its reconstruction. Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi announced the figures on May 13, saying visitor numbers rose by more than 50,000 compared with the previous year. Attendance at the castle had dropped below 100,000 in some years before the city outsourced operations to a private company four years ago. Since then, expanded events and tourism programs have helped revive interest in the historic landmark. Kitakyushu City also plans to install an elevator connecting to the castle tower by March 2027 and expects visitor numbers in fiscal 2026 to surpass the current record. Source: TVQ News / KBC News
Photo: Fukuoka Now
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