Kokurakita Ward contains a lively downtown district near Kokura Station, with a mix of noodle shops, seafood eateries, and izakaya bars, plus modern malls and traditional Tanga Market’s produce stands. Quieter areas across the river include Katsuyama Park, with broad lawns, quirky playgrounds, and the Literature Museum. The park is also home to Kokura Castle, a rebuilt 17th-century landmark with gardens and museums.