Fukuoka Kanmon Bridge and Motonosumi Shrine Guided Tour
Affected by seasonal sunset times: In winter, take the cable car to enjoy the night view; in summer, the sunset is later, so the cable car ride mostly offers sunset or twilight scenery.
- Depart from Fukuoka and visit representative attractions in Kitakyushu in one day, easily enjoying coastal and city views.
- Cross the [Kanmon Bridge] connecting Honshu and Kyushu, and admire the magnificent strait scenery from the car window.
- Step into the bustling [Karato Market] to taste fresh seafood sushi and experience the authentic port atmosphere.
- Visit the dreamy [Motonosumi Shrine], where 123 red torii gates wind into the sea, capturing picturesque scenery.
- Stroll through the retro [Mojiko Retro District] and feel the atmosphere of a European-style town from the Meiji era.
- Take the [Sarakurayama Cable Car] (at your own expense) to the summit to enjoy the romantic sea of lights, one of Japan's "New Three Great Night Views".
- The itinerary features multiple photo spots, allowing you to capture moments where the coastline and city lights intertwine.
- Includes Chinese and English tour guides, making the journey easy and fulfilling.
- Comfortable bus transfers throughout the trip, no need to change, freely explore Kitakyushu.
What to expect
Regarding visiting Motonosumi Shrine: Starting March 1st, the main hall of the shrine will be closed to visitors on Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese public holidays, and during the periods of May 2nd–10th and August 8th–16th. However, the red torii gate area along the coast will remain open to visitors as usual. Embark on a journey from Fukuoka along the blue coastline of northern Kyushu, where stunning scenery intertwines with rich culture. Begin with a drive past the Kanmon Bridge, spanning the Kanmon Strait, and appreciate the magnificent connection between Kyushu and Honshu. Arrive at Karato Market, where you can select freshly made sushi and seafood snacks amidst the bustling atmosphere of the fishing port, savoring the freshest flavors of the harbor. Next, head to Motonosumi Shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture, capturing dreamy views of the contrast between the red torii gates and the azure sea. Then, explore the Mojiko Retro District, where vintage European-style buildings reflect in the tranquil bay, as if time has slipped back to the Meiji era. Finally, take the Sarakurayama Cable Car to the summit and admire the “million-dollar night view,” overlooking the illuminated cityscape of northern Kyushu. From day to night, this trip connects the most captivating coastline and the most romantic night of lights in northern Kyushu.
Reviews
A day full of interesting places, prepare for a long drive though..and bring food with you if you can, lots of them..The shrine is pretty but I love the stay at Moriko Port. This is a good value for money, thanks Nicole for a well organised trip..you’re English is good!
First, the guide provided explanations in both Chinese and English, and they were very kind and thoughtful. It was great visiting all the tourist attractions for the first time, and I felt that the tour package was a good value considering the extensive itinerary. Although the van seats were a bit narrow, they were comfortable. Even though it was March, the weather was cold, which was a bit disappointing, but otherwise, the weather was good for traveling. The only other minor regret was that we only had 1 hour and 10 minutes at one of the attractions we arrived at around lunchtime, so we had to skip eating. Everything else was excellent. Thank you to our guide and driver! 👍
Book this from Friday to Sunday if you wanted to experience the karato market. Unfortunately for us, we booked it on a Wednesday and the market is closed for tourist. but overall, its a great experience. Thanks to our tour guide as well, Ada! Arigato so much ♥️
Motonosumi Shrine is built along the coast, offering incredibly beautiful scenery, making it a worthwhile spot to visit. There's a small shop at the rest stop selling tangerine ice cream, which is definitely worth trying! Another attraction, Mount Sarakura, can be reached by cable car, and the views are stunning. Unfortunately, we couldn't wait for the sunset, otherwise the night view would have been even more spectacular! Moji Port, on the other hand, has a more European feel. I thought we could visit the Karato Market, but it's only open on holidays, so we ended up having Indian curry for lunch there instead!
This local trip destination is incredibly beautiful, especially Motonosumi Shrine, which is truly spectacular and a must-see. However, transportation is very complicated, making it extremely difficult to visit without joining a local tour, so I highly recommend taking one. The sushi at Karato Market is exceptionally fresh, with the sea urchin, large shrimp, and splendid alfonsino being particularly outstanding and a definite must-try. Our tour guide, Ada, was very friendly and responsible, providing introductions in both Chinese and English before we arrived at each attraction.
I'm very satisfied with this trip! Although the travel distances between attractions were quite long, with almost half the time spent in the car, the beautiful scenery and great weather made it a truly enjoyable experience. I especially want to commend our tour guide for this trip; she was very enthusiastic and attentive! In addition to providing excellent information about the attractions, she also shared recommendations for local food. I'm particularly grateful that she helped us call the restaurant to postpone our reservation, which allowed us to successfully dine at that skewer restaurant in the end! Thank you very much to her!
This tour was a great start to my time in Fukuoka! start time was a bit later so I could meet after the airport. RIKU was a wonderful guide! He communicated very well so we all knew what to expect. Shrine was not open (Sunday) but we were still able to get great photos of the tori gates.
I enjoyed the tour very much. The time on the road was long n tour guide Yang Meng always informed us to go to the washrooms before we left a place. She took careful attention of all our needs, even offering to make dinner reservations for anyone though her tour duty was over. Driver had a long and hard day, and drove well 👍. This is a good tour - without which I wouldnt be able to visit these beautiful, faraway places.
This is the kind of one-day trip you would want to take when you’re not driving and want to visit places with stunning views. The tour guide is friendly and knowledgeable. She shared recommendations on arrival at each location and simply lets you enjoy the time (around an hour at each spot). As a solo female traveller, I can safely take a nap while transferring to the next location, without fear of missing a bus or train back to the city.
Our family of 5 adults had a lovely day on the Kitakyushu Coastline tour. Kevin was a fun, friendly, and engaging tour guide who made the trip enjoyable and informative throughout. Our driver, Wang, was excellent — very smooth and confident, especially when navigating the curves and turns up Mount Sarakura. We felt safe and relaxed the entire journey. Thank you for a memorable and well-organised day tour! For Kevin - Hello. It’s me ☺️
Good to know
Pre-Departure Notice Between 17:00 and 21:00 the day before departure, we will contact you through the contact information you provided. If you do not receive the information, please check your email, as it may have been mistakenly filtered into your spam folder. During peak tourist season, there may be a slight delay in sending emails. If you receive multiple emails, please refer to the latest one. If you do not receive travel information on the day of departure, please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes in advance according to the meeting time and look for the JRT tour guide flag to inquire. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. • If the minimum number of participants required for the tour is not met, you will be notified of the cancellation by email the day before departure. In the event of extreme weather conditions such as typhoons or heavy snow, we will confirm whether to cancel by 18:00 local time the day before departure and notify you by email. Seats and Vehicles • This tour is a group tour, and seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have special needs, please make a note, and we will do our best to accommodate you, but the final arrangement is subject to the actual situation on site. • The type of vehicle used depends on the number of people, and the vehicle type cannot be specified. When there are few people, a driver may be arranged to also serve as an attendant, and the explanation content will be relatively brief. • If you need to bring luggage, you must inform us in advance. If you bring luggage without prior notice, the tour guide has the right to refuse you to board the vehicle, and the fee will not be refunded. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the vehicle. If any damage is caused, compensation will be required according to local standards. Itinerary Adjustment and Safety • Japanese law stipulates that operating vehicles must not be driven for more than 10 hours per day. If the time is exceeded, additional fees will be charged (ranging from 5,000–10,000 yen/hour). • The itinerary is for reference only, and the actual transportation, stay, and sightseeing time may be adjusted due to weather, traffic jams, facility maintenance, and other conditions. The tour guide may reasonably replace or reduce attractions depending on the actual situation. • In the event of weather or force majeure that causes the suspension of facilities such as cable cars and cruise ships, you will visit other attractions or adjust the length of stay. • Fees will not be refunded for lateness due to personal reasons, temporary changes to the meeting point, or leaving the group midway through the tour. You will be responsible for any accidents and additional expenses incurred after leaving the group. Seasons and Landscapes • Seasonal limited events such as flower viewing, autumn foliage viewing, snow scenes, and fireworks displays are greatly affected by the climate. The flowering period and the peak of autumn leaves may be earlier or later than expected. Even if the expected landscape is not reached, the trip will still depart as normal, and no refunds will be given.
Other Notes • Please arrive at the meeting point on time. We will not wait for latecomers, and you cannot join midway. • It is recommended to wear light clothing and shoes. Please bring warm clothing for winter or mountain tours.
- The itinerary does not include personal travel and accident insurance. It is recommended that you purchase insurance yourself. Outdoor activities and high-risk sports have certain risks. Please register carefully according to your health condition.
- After the itinerary departs, if it is forced to be terminated due to natural disasters or force majeure, the fee will not be refunded, and passengers will have to bear the return or additional accommodation costs themselves.
- During peak travel periods on Japanese red holidays and weekends, there are often serious traffic jams or attractions close early. It is recommended not to book flights, Shinkansen, or dinners for the same night, and to bring your own snacks and power bank.
Contact us
You might also like...
Have Fun in Kitakyushu City & Shimonoseki City Pass
Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival Full-Day Bus Tour
Fukuoka: Japanese Cuisine Making Experience Kuidaore Honjin
Mojiko Retro Observation Room Admission Ticket (Fukuoka)
Fukuoka private car charter service: Mojiko, Karato Market, Kokura Castle, Miyajidake Shrine, Munakata Taisha, Kawachi Wisteria Garden, Sarakurayama night view, etc.
Fukuoka Moji Port & Tsunoshima Bridge Full-Day Tour
Easy Sushi Making Experience at Heishirou in Kitakyushu
Fukuoka Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival Full-Day Adventure