KKJ → Kokura hotels and Mojiko
Kitakyushu Airport to Kokura and Mojiko
Take the Kokura airport bus for station-area hotels. A direct service stops at the north Shinkansen Exit and then the south-side bus center; services via Nakatani use a different route. For Kokura Castle or Tanga Market, choose the south side or Heiwadori. For Mojiko, change to JR at Kokura Station.
The airport bus from Kitakyushu Airport · 北九州空港 (KKJ) to Kokura Station · 小倉駅 costs 710 yen one way for adults. Direct buses take approximately 33 to 36 minutes to the north stop.
This time does not include international immigration, baggage, or waiting. There is no railway station inside the airport terminal.
Official information checked: · Airport bus public timetable: March 29 - October 24, 2026, same schedule on weekdays, weekends and holidays. Check the next timetable for later travel dates.
From arrivals to the Kokura bus
- Leave the first-floor arrivals lobby.
Complete immigration, baggage claim and customs, then follow “バス / Bus.” Domestic arrivals are also on the first floor. Use the terminal floor plan to identify your exit.
- Prepare payment and go to bay 1.
The bus-stop map shows bays 1–3 to the left outside. Bay 1 “小倉方面” serves Kokura, bay 2 “朽網駅方面” serves Kusami Station and bay 3 serves Kurosaki/Orio. Domestic and international passengers use the same Kokura bay.
- Check direct or via Nakatani.
Only the direct service calls at Kokura’s north-side Shinkansen Exit. Read the airport-to-city timetable “北九州空港→小倉方面,” not the reverse-direction table.
- Stow luggage as directed, then pay when you get off.
The fare to Kokura is ¥710. Supported transit IC cards include nimoca, Suica and PASMO. Supported contactless bank-card brands are Visa, JCB, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Discover and UnionPay. Use the same card or device when boarding and leaving. Card authorization can fail, so carry backup cash. ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 bills cannot be changed on board. Present machine or digital tickets as instructed by the driver.
The bus is unreserved and may fill up. WILLER’s official unreserved web ticket does not reserve a seat or departure. Do not activate it before the driver’s ticket check.
Use the underfloor compartment as directed and keep valuables, cameras, computers and fragile items with you. Nishitetsu’s highway-bus rules restrict baggage exceeding a total of 30 kg per person or 2 m combined length, width and height. Ask 050-3616-2150 about multiple large bags, wheelchairs or special equipment. The local bus to Kusami does not necessarily have the same luggage compartment.
Compare airport buses, train connections and taxis
Add immigration, baggage claim, ticketing, waiting, transfers and the hotel walk to the ride times. Congestion, strong winds, heavy rain and detours can delay buses and taxis.
| Transport | Destination | Adult one-way fare (JPY) | Ride time | Transfers | Reservations | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Kokura airport bus | North Shinkansen Exit / south bus center | ¥710 | North 33–36 min; bus center 40–43 min | None; hotel walk extra | Unreserved; may fill up | Underfloor storage; size/weight limits | Kokura Station hotels |
| Airport bus via Nakatani | Heiwadori / Kokura bus center | ¥710 to city center | Heiwadori about 52 min; center 55 min | None; hotel walk extra | Unreserved | Follow driver’s baggage instructions | Heiwadori or Tanga-area hotels |
| Kusami bus + JR local | Kokura Station | ¥540 + ¥450 = ¥990 | Bus 16–22 min + train about 20 min | One at Kusami; waiting extra | No reserved local seats | Carry bags on local bus and between platforms | When the direct bus is full |
| Kusami bus + JR app combination ticket | Kokura Station | App ¥710; separate limited-express example ¥1,380 | Bus 16–22 min + limited express 10–12 min | One at Kusami | App purchase; nonreserved seat | Carry bags through the transfer | When the actual connection and app purchase fit |
| Airport bus + JR local | Mojiko Station | ¥710 + ¥340 = ¥1,050 | Bus 33–55 min + train 14–15 min | One at Kokura; station movement extra | Unreserved bus and local train | Retrieve and carry bags to JR | Mojiko Retro hotels |
| Airport taxi | Kokura / actual hotel | Example ¥8,500; night surcharge extra | Example about 45 min | None | Confirm waiting vehicle or dispatch | Confirm vehicle capacity | After the last bus or door-to-door travel |
| Reserved shared ride / vehicle | Confirmed destination | Quote by date, route and vehicle | Depends on stops and traffic | Product-specific | Confirmed advance booking | Declare passengers and bag sizes | Coordinating a late arrival |
| Rental car | Hotel parking in Kokura / Mojiko | Rental, insurance, tolls and parking extra | Depends on route; pickup extra | Office pickup and return | Advance booking recommended | Vehicle-specific capacity | Driving around the region |
JR regular fares are 450 yen between Kusami and Kokura and 340 yen between Kokura and Mojiko based on the revised table in April 2025. If you purchase limited express non-reserved seats separately, you will need a limited express ticket in addition to the basic fare. The 710 yen combination ticket is a product limited to the JR Kyushu app, and the route is different from the direct bus ticket to Kokura. Please check the prices of reserved vehicles and rental cars displayed on the platform separately from these official public transport fares. JR Kyushu app limited product
Map around Kitakyushu Airport and Kokura Station
The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) topographic map shows the airport terminal, boarding area, Kokura Station drop-off area, and final access point. Dotted lines show transfer relationships, not actual railway alignments or bus routes. Not every intermediate stop is shown; see the official timetable for a complete stop list for services via Nakatani. Nearby pins can be identified using the Airport/Kokura Station zoom button.
Orange: Direct bus/Kusami bus Pink: Getting off at the city center via Nakatani Blue: JR transfer Purple: Passing through the station, getting off and walking
Select a number to zoom to its location. Use the airport and city view buttons to distinguish nearby pins.
The JR station pin was compared with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism railway data, and the Tanga access was compared with the official address and the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) address location. Boarding and exit pins mark approximate areas from official floor plans, not surveyed platform boundaries.
For stop numbers and entrances, please give priority to the official map below and site signs. Map sources and terms of use are displayed at the bottom of the map.
Kokura Station: choose the north or south side
The Shinkansen Exit · 新幹線口 is north of Kokura Station; the Kokura Castle Exit · 小倉城口 is south. Nishitetsu Bus Kitakyushu · 西鉄バス北九州 operates the airport route.
- North-side hotels: use the direct bus to “小倉駅新幹線口.”
The drop-off is beside the north pedestrian deck, convenient for addresses toward RIHGA Royal Hotel and Aru Aru City. This arrival-only stop is not the return airport-bus boarding point.
- South-side hotels: compare the next stop, “小倉駅バスセンター.”
Kokura Station Bus Center · 小倉駅バスセンター is near Saintcity on the south side. From a north-side drop-off, use the elevators or stairs to the station’s second-floor deck, then the public passage outside the JR gates to the Kokura Castle Exit. You do not need a JR ticket to cross the station. Choose the stairs or elevator that fits your hotel’s actual address.
- For a JR connection, follow “JR / 在来線.”
From the bus-center area, go up to the second-floor deck and the conventional-line gates, not the Shinkansen gates. Check the departure board for the Mojiko train. Late buses stopping at “小倉駅前” use a street stop, not the bus center.
Check the official station and bus-stop map. Return airport buses use bus-center bay 8 on the first floor; that does not mean every arriving bus unloads there. Allow for station crossings and luggage. At night, follow the actual public route rather than assuming shopping-center passages remain open.
From the airport to Kokura Castle
Kokura Castle · 小倉城 is southwest of the station in Katsuyama Park · 勝山公園. Take the airport bus to the south-side bus center → continue toward the Kokura Castle Exit deck → walk toward the Murasaki River · 紫川 and Riverwalk → approach the park at its eastern Toranomonguchi entrance · 虎ノ門口 → continue to the castle tower entrance. If you get off north of the station, first cross the public station passage to the south.
The castle’s official access guide gives about 15 minutes on foot from Kokura Station. Use the south-exit walking route. Luggage, crossings, rain and your exact drop-off add time. Entering the park is separate from admission to the paid tower. Check opening hours and event restrictions; this route does not guarantee easy suitcase access into the tower.
Tanga Market: follow the current construction access
Tanga Market · 旦過市場 is south of the station, reached via Uomachi Gintengai · 魚町銀天街. Walk from the Kokura Castle Exit through the shopping street toward Uomachi 4-chome. The city gives about ten minutes from the station. A bus via Nakatani also lets you get off at Heiwadori · 平和通り and approach through Uomachi.
Compare the station south-exit route and Heiwadori route. The map pin is the Uomachi-side access near the published address, 4-2-18 Uomachi, not the market office in the trade building.
Checked October 2026: redevelopment is ongoing. The city’s July material and September update describe phased works while trading continues. Use the 2026 operating and construction-zone map to distinguish the existing market, Tanga Aozora Market · 旦過青空市場 and fenced work areas. Planned future passageways are not currently open routes. Approach from the Uomachi public walkway and follow on-site signs to operating shops outside the fences. Not every alley or shop is open.
The Korean shop/access PDF (about 123 MB) reflects late March and is a large download. Prioritize newer site signs and individual shop notices; call the market office at 093-513-1555 for current locations.
To Mojiko: change trains at Kokura
Mojiko Station · 門司港駅 is not Moji Station · 門司駅. For the station at the Mojiko Retro waterfront, continue to the terminal station, Mojiko.
- Airport bay 1 → Kokura.
Pay ¥710. A direct bus takes about 33–36 minutes to the north-side stop. Retrieve your bags and use the second-floor conventional JR gates; from the south bus center, go up via the pedestrian deck.
- Board a Kagoshima Main Line · 鹿児島本線 local train displaying “門司港.”
A train toward Shimonoseki · 下関 has a different destination. Kokura–Mojiko costs ¥340 and takes about 14–15 minutes, for ¥1,050 including the airport bus. Buy a ticket or use a supported IC card. Local seats are not reserved.
- Leave Mojiko Station for the waterfront or your hotel.
Use the Mojiko Retro walking route or your actual hotel address. The district spans several streets. Check JR’s station facilities for elevators and luggage storage.
A checked example for October 5 and 10, 2026 is the 05:45 airport bus → Kokura north-side arrival 06:18 → JR departure 06:37 → Mojiko 06:51. Bus delays, ticketing and station movement may mean taking a later train. Aircraft landing time alone cannot establish whether you can catch this connection.
Alternative route: bus to Kusami, then JR
Kusami Station · 朽網駅 is off the airport island. From first-floor arrivals, go to bay 2 “朽網駅方面” → take the rapid bus or route 51 → get off east of Kusami Station → enter JR → take a Nippo Main Line · 日豊本線 train toward Kokura. Check that it stops at Kokura; Yukuhashi/Oita is the opposite direction.
The bus costs ¥540 and takes about 16–22 minutes. A local train costs ¥450 and takes about 20 minutes, totaling ¥990 with separate tickets. Add the walk to the gates and the train wait. Keep bags secure and aisles clear on the local bus.
The ¥710 app combination ticket is a different product
The JR Kyushu app’s 北九州空港特急きっぷ combines the airport–Kusami bus with Kusami–Kokura rail travel, including nonreserved limited-express seating. It requires JR Kyushu Web registration and app purchase, not a counter sale. Select airport departure → Kokura. QR use does not require paper collection; show the bus ticket in the app to the driver.
It is valid for one specified travel day on the designated route, including local, rapid and nonreserved limited-express seats. It does not reserve a particular seat or guarantee a connection. Shinkansen is excluded; reserved limited-express seating needs an additional reserved-seat charge. Mojiko is not included. The airport’s separately purchased limited-express example totals ¥1,380, unlike this ¥710 combination.
A published example is airport 10:27 → Kusami 10:44 → Sonic 10:53 → Kokura 11:03. Read the official connection table for the actual direction and train. A nine-minute transfer is not guaranteed if the bus is late, and limited-express connections do not run at every airport-bus time.
App sales open at 05:30 one month before travel and end at 23:00 on the travel day. This ¥710 product cannot use convenience-store, bank-ATM or station payment because it falls within the ¥800-or-less restriction. Under the official conditions, an uncollected and unused card-paid ticket can have its date changed once; an unused refund deducts ¥440. No refund is available after use starts. Check validity and usage status after a flight delay. The separate my route product has its own terms.
Last airport buses and the last Mojiko trains
The March 29–October 24, 2026 airport-to-Kokura timetable applies on weekdays, weekends and holidays. “24:00” means midnight at the end of the stated operating day.
- First bus 05:45: direct service → north Shinkansen Exit 06:18 → south bus center 06:25.
- Last direct bus 22:35: north exit 23:11 → bus center 23:18.
- Via Nakatani, 23:05: Heiwadori 23:57 → bus center 00:00 the next day.
- Via Nakatani, 23:35: Heiwadori 00:27 → “小倉駅前” street stop 00:30 the next day; no bus-center stop.
- Last departure 24:00: airport at 00:00 → Heiwadori 00:52 → “小倉駅前” 00:55. It is not a direct bus to the north exit.
The fixed timetable does not promise every bus will wait for international immigration. After a delay, confirm the actual final departure with the operator and allow for arrivals procedures, not just landing.
The last Mojiko connection can be missed before the airport buses finish
For October 5 and 10, 2026, local train 144M leaves Kokura at 00:31 and reaches Mojiko at 00:45. Relay Kamome 66 follows at 00:39–00:52, requiring a limited-express ticket in addition to the ¥340 base fare. Check operating-day definitions and seat-specific surcharges with JR.
The 23:35 airport bus reaches the street stop at 00:30: only one minute before the local train and nine before the limited express. Retrieving bags and reaching the platform make this an impractical connection to rely on. The midnight airport bus arrives at 00:55, after both trains. For a Mojiko hotel, choose an earlier bus or a confirmed vehicle.
The terminal’s published hours are 05:15–24:05, subject to flight and bus changes. Around-the-clock aircraft operations do not imply an always-open terminal, overnight buses or permission to sleep inside. Confirm late hotel check-in and save the final walking route, including an outdoor alternative if indoor passages close.
After the last bus: taxis, booked vehicles or nearby lodging
Follow taxi signs from first-floor arrivals to the official stand. The airport’s fare examples are about ¥8,500, 25 km and 45 minutes to Kokura Station, and ¥12,000, 37 km and 45 minutes to Mojiko. These include tolls but exclude the night surcharge. The airport’s July 22, 2025 table lists a 20% surcharge from 22:00–05:00. Your hotel address, waiting, vehicle and road conditions affect the total; these are estimates, not quotes. Confirm dispatch if no taxi is waiting.
The airport also lists NearMe and reserved flat-rate/shared taxis. At the official NearMe booking service, choose Kitakyushu Airport and enter the actual destination, date, passengers and bags. Confirm acceptance, booking deadline, pickup, delay waiting and cancellation terms. An inquiry is not a confirmed booking; a Fukuoka Airport product is not a substitute.
Rental-counter hours vary by company: listed examples include 08:00–20:00, 08:00–19:30, 09:00–20:00 and 09:00–19:00. Confirm the actual pickup deadline, valid driving documents, insurance, charges and return location. A counter’s existence does not guarantee a late-night pickup. If transport has ended, check actual room availability, late check-in and any confirmed hotel shuttle; do not use terminal access as a lodging promise.
Check flights, buses and JR separately during bad weather
Use the airport’s flight information and your airline, airport bus/rail notices, Nishitetsu notices and JR Kyushu’s Fukuoka/Kitakyushu status. A weather forecast or delayed flight does not establish that every service is suspended; one suspension does not guarantee an alternative. Tell reserved pickup or rental providers promptly and check change/cancellation terms.
Official tickets, payment and reservations
Please check the official purchase and usage instructions for each transportation method below. Direct bus tickets and limited express combination tickets with transfers at Kusami Station have different routes. Please check the conditions according to your travel date and accommodation address before selecting a reserved vehicle or rental car.
The links above on this page are not affiliate links. If you book an affiliate product on another page of the site, JapanLiveNow may receive a commission and we will place an affiliate note on the link. We did not include rail passes or Fukuoka Airport pickup for which there are no verified products.
Kitakyushu Airport FAQ
How do I get from Kitakyushu Airport to Kokura Station?
Take the Kokura bus from bay 1 outside first-floor arrivals. It costs ¥710. Direct buses take about 33–36 minutes to the north Shinkansen Exit and 40–43 minutes to the south bus center. Services via Nakatani skip the north exit and take about 55 minutes to the bus center. Add arrivals procedures and waiting.
Do I need to reserve the airport bus?
No. Kokura airport buses are unreserved and may fill up. Cash, supported transit IC and contactless cards, and official unreserved web tickets are available. An online ticket does not guarantee a seat or departure.
How does the direct bus differ from the Nakatani service?
Direct buses call at Kokura’s Shinkansen Exit and bus center. The Nakatani route serves city stops including Tokuriki, Moritsune, Mihagino and Heiwadori but skips the north exit. Departures at 23:35 and 24:00 use the Kokura Station street stop instead of the bus center.
Which side of Kokura Station should I use?
The Shinkansen Exit is north; the Kokura Castle Exit is south. For a south-side hotel, compare the bus-center stop or cross the public second-floor station passage from the north. No JR ticket is needed for this crossing. Late street stops are separate from the bus center.
How do I pay the Kokura bus fare?
Pay when getting off. Supported options include cash, nimoca, Suica, PASMO and contactless bank cards. Use the same card or device when boarding and leaving. ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 bills cannot be changed on board; have backup cash if card payment fails.
Can I take a large suitcase?
Follow the driver’s instructions for underfloor storage and carry valuables and fragile items with you. Nishitetsu restricts baggage exceeding 30 kg per person or 2 m combined dimensions. Ask about multiple bags or special equipment. The local Kusami bus does not necessarily offer the same storage.
How do I reach Kokura Castle or Tanga Market?
From the south station area, Kokura Castle is about a 15-minute walk toward the Murasaki River and Riverwalk. Tanga Market is about ten minutes via Uomachi, or accessible from Heiwadori on a Nakatani bus. The market is under redevelopment; use current signs and operating-shop notices, not future construction plans.
How do I get to Mojiko?
Take the ¥710 airport bus to Kokura, then a Kagoshima Main Line local train displaying 門司港. The rail leg is ¥340 and about 14–15 minutes, totaling ¥1,050. Moji and Mojiko are different stations; continue to Mojiko. Add time to retrieve bags, reach the platform and wait.
What if I miss the last bus?
The March 29–October 24, 2026 schedule ends with a 24:00 airport departure, meaning midnight at the end of the operating day. It does not promise to wait for all late international arrivals. Confirm the actual departure; if missed, use an official taxi or confirmed pickup, or check nearby lodging and late check-in.
Does a late-operating airport mean buses run all night?
No. Published terminal hours are 05:15–24:05, subject to flight and bus changes. Kokura buses begin at 05:45 and end at 24:00 in the stated timetable. Aircraft operations do not guarantee overnight terminal access, buses or lodging.
Where do I check disruptions?
Check airport and airline flight information, Nishitetsu and airport bus notices, and JR Kyushu’s Fukuoka/Kitakyushu status separately. A weather forecast does not prove a suspension or guarantee an alternative. Contact booked pickup or rental providers about delay and cancellation terms.
Official sources and related guides
Official information checked: 2026-10-05. Fares, timetables, payment and ticket terms come from the airport and operators. Hotel-location choices and transfer margins are editorial suggestions. The market’s future construction plans are not presented as current open walking routes.
- Nishitetsu buses to Kokura and Kusami: timetable and payment ↗
- Airport bus stop 1, 2, and 3 and postpaid payment information ↗
- Current airport departure timetable for Kokura ↗
- Comprehensive information and bus section fares for the summer of 2026 at the airport ↗
- Operator Kokura-Kusami section fares and bus stops ↗
- Get off at Kokura Station Shinkansen Exit, South Bus Center Information ↗
- Credit card touch payment brand, boarding and disembarkation tag ↗
- Official WEB non-assigned bus ticket/seat non-guaranteed conditions ↗
- Large luggage and trunk restrictions on express buses ↗
- General route bus baggage carrying information ↗
- Example of Kusami Station limited express transfer/international flight connection ↗
- Airport → Kusami → Kokura actual limited express connection table ↗
- JR Kyushu app 710 yen airport limited express combination ticket/change/refund ↗
- JR Kyushu’s current regular fare table and limited express fares ↗
- Kokura Station JR timetable by date and direction ↗
- Last local train to Mojiko, 144M ↗
- Relay Kamome 66: late-night service to Mojiko ↗
- Airport official taxi/sharing reservation/estimated fare ↗
- Airport rental car counters and business hours by company ↗
- Terminal opening and closing times ↗
- Airport official first floor arrival hall floor plan ↗
- Kokura Castle official access and viewing information ↗
- Kitakyushu City Tanga Market address/walking access ↗
- Current status of Tanga redevelopment in Kitakyushu City, data as of July 2026 ↗
- Notice for each actual store in Tanga Market ↗
- Information on Mojiko Station JR facilities and ticket gates ↗
- Confirmation of airport official bus and rail operations ↗
- JR Kyushu Fukuoka/Kitakyushu same-day operation status ↗
- Tanga Market 2026 official sales and construction zone map ↗
- Tanga Market 2026 Korean store/access map ↗
- Airport posted taxi fares and late-night surcharge revised in July 2025 ↗