Complete Guide to Kitakyushu City Manga Museum | Thorough Explanation of Fukuoka Prefecture’s Anime Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots
Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture is known as the “City of Manga” for having produced many representative manga artists of Japan. The cultural hub of this city is the “Kitakyushu City Manga Museum.” Opened in August 2012, this facility was selected as one of the “Anime Sacred Sites 88” certified by the Japan Anime Tourism Association, and has become a sacred pilgrimage destination attracting attention from anime and manga fans throughout the country.
In this article, we will thoroughly introduce the appeal of the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum, comprehensively explaining everything you need to know before visiting, from access methods and exhibition contents to event information and nearby sacred site pilgrimage spots.
What is the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum? The Complete Picture of Manga Culture’s Sacred Site
The Kitakyushu City Manga Museum is a hub for spreading manga culture, located on the 5th and 6th floors of “Areare City” at 2-14-5 Asano, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Its excellent accessibility, just a 2-minute walk from JR Kokura Station, is also a major attraction for sacred site pilgrims.
Facility Basic Information
Opening Hours: 11:00～19:00 (Admission until 18:30, 30 minutes before closing)
Closed Days: Every Tuesday (or the following day if Tuesday is a holiday), year-end and new year period, facility maintenance days
Location: 2-14-5 Asano, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Areare City 5th & 6th Floors
Access: Approximately 2 minutes’ walk from JR Kokura Station Shinkansen Exit (North Exit)
Why is Kitakyushu the “City of Manga”?
Kitakyushu City has produced many renowned manga artists whose names are inscribed in the history of Japanese manga. The following are representative creators:
- Matsumoto Leiji: Author of “Galaxy Express 999” and “Space Battleship Yamato”
- Hojo Tsukasa: Author of “City Hunter” and “Cat’s Eye”
- Watase Seizo: Author of “Heart Cocktail”
- Hatanaka Jun: Author of “Mandala-ya no Ryota”
- Buronson: Original author of “Fist of the North Star”
- Hasegawa Noriyo: Author of “Hakata-ko Junjo”
These artists grew up in Kitakyushu and established the foundation for their creative activities in this land, making this city a “sacred site of manga.”
Anime Sacred Sites 88 Certification | The Value of Kitakyushu City Manga Museum as a Sacred Site
The Kitakyushu City Manga Museum is certified as one of the “88 Japanese Anime Sacred Sites to Visit” selected by the Japan Anime Tourism Association. This certification serves as an official seal of approval for anime and manga fans as a “sacred site to visit.”
Appeal as a Sacred Pilgrimage Spot
Sacred site pilgrimage is a fan activity of visiting places that served as settings for anime and manga, as well as facilities related to works. The Kitakyushu City Manga Museum has become an important pilgrimage spot for the following reasons:
- Displays of original drawings and materials from renowned local artists: Permanent exhibitions of valuable materials from local artists including Matsumoto Leiji
- Special exhibitions allowing visitors to experience the world of works: Regularly held special exhibitions where fans can immerse themselves in the world of popular works
- Learning the history of manga culture: Systematically understanding the development history of Kitakyushu’s manga culture
- Venue for creator development: Lectures and workshops to nurture next-generation manga artists
Highlights of the Facility | Three Experiences of “Viewing,” “Reading,” and “Drawing”
The Kitakyushu City Manga Museum is organized around three themes: “View!”, “Read!”, and “Draw!”, allowing visitors to enjoy manga culture from multiple perspectives.
【View】Exhibition Zone | Introduction of Artists Connected to Kitakyushu
On the 5th floor exhibition zone, works and related materials from manga artists from or connected to Kitakyushu are permanently displayed. In the Matsumoto Leiji corner, original drawings, setting materials, and other items from “Galaxy Express 999” and “Space Battleship Yamato” are exhibited—content that any fan would long for.
There are also corners introducing the unique creative worlds of other artists such as Hojo Tsukasa, Watase Seizo, and Hatanaka Jun. Through these exhibitions, visitors can understand the lineage of diverse manga expression nurtured by the land of Kitakyushu.
【Read】Browsing Zone | Japan’s Largest Collection of Approximately 70,000 Volumes
The 6th floor browsing zone is arguably the most distinctive feature of the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum. With a collection of approximately 70,000 manga volumes—Japan’s largest—visitors can freely read manga, making it truly a “sacred site” for manga enthusiasts.
Characteristics of the Browsing Zone:
- Extensive lineup from classic masterpieces to latest releases
- Comfortable reading environment with spacious sofas and chairs
- Clear organization by genre
- Design that prevents fatigue even during extended stays
Visitors can spend an entire day reading manga, and while admission closes at 18:30, you can immerse yourself in the world of manga until the facility closes at 19:00.
【Draw】Experience Zone | Learning Manga Creation
The Kitakyushu City Manga Museum regularly holds various lectures and workshops where visitors can learn how to draw manga.
Main Experience Programs:
- Manga Classes: From beginner basics courses to advanced technical training
- Manga Creator Development Courses: Advanced courses for those wanting to master specialized techniques and knowledge
- Manga Experience Events: Experience-type events that anyone from children to adults can casually participate in
- Manga Book Clubs: Community activities where participants read works and discuss them
These programs provide valuable opportunities to experience manga creation from the creator’s perspective, not just enjoying manga as a consumer.
Exhibition Information and Events | Constantly Updated Displays
One of the attractions of the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum is its regularly held special exhibitions and events. Since these are constantly planned with new themes, each visit offers fresh discoveries.
Past Major Special Exhibitions
- Collection Exhibition “Manga Artists Born in Kitakyushu — Seven Colors of Manga Technique”: Introduction to the diverse expression techniques of local artists
- “Let’s Have Fun Together! Panda! Go, Panda! Exhibition”: Display of this classic anime by the Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao team
- “Kitakyushu-Born! Rice Education Anime ‘Komekamitt! Girls’ Exhibition”: Introduction of locally-originated anime works
Regular Events
Manga Book Club: The 2026 annual schedule has been published, with different themes featured each month. It’s popular as a place for fans who have read the same work to share their thoughts.
Golden Week and Summer Vacation Special Projects: Special openings and limited events are frequently held during long vacation periods, so be sure to check before planning your visit.
The latest event information is regularly updated on the official website and SNS (Instagram: @ktqmm2012), so we recommend checking before your visit.
Access and Fee Information | Practical Guide for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Access Methods
By Train:
- Approximately 2 minutes’ walk from JR Kokura Station Shinkansen Exit (North Exit)
- Approximately 3 minutes’ walk from Kitakyushu Monorail Kokura Station
Train access is excellent, with travel times of approximately 15 minutes from Hakata Station and approximately 40 minutes from Hiroshima Station, making sacred site pilgrimage from within and outside Kyushu easy.
By Car:
- Approximately 5 minutes from “Ote-machi Ramp” on the Kitakyushu Urban Expressway
- Use the parking lot of “Areare City” (paid parking)
Admission Fee
The pricing is set reasonably compared to typical museums and art museums, and considering the extended time you can spend there, the cost-performance ratio is very high.
※Please check the official website for the latest fee details. Some special exhibitions may require additional fees.
Recommended Time Required
- View exhibitions only: 1-2 hours
- Read manga in the browsing zone: 2-4 hours or more
- Enjoy thoroughly: Half day to full day
When visiting as a sacred site pilgrimage, if you’re just viewing exhibitions and taking photos, about 1-2 hours is sufficient, but once you start reading manga in the browsing zone, many visitors lose track of time.
Nearby Sacred Pilgrimage Spots | Things to See in the Kitakyushu Area
By visiting related spots in the surrounding area when you come to the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum, you can have a more enriching experience.
Around Kokura Station Area
Kokura Castle: Approximately a 10-minute walk away, this symbol of Kitakyushu allows you to feel the fusion of historical architecture and manga culture.
Riverwalk Kitakyushu: Approximately a 5-minute walk away. This multipurpose facility offers shopping and dining and is perfect as a rest spot during sacred site pilgrimage.
Spots Related to Matsumoto Leiji
Throughout Kitakyushu City, monuments and objects modeled after characters from Matsumoto Leiji’s works are scattered about.
Inside Kokura Station: Statues of Maetel and Tetsuro from “Galaxy Express 999” are installed and popular photo spots.
Kitakyushu Airport: Characters from Matsumoto Leiji’s works are also displayed within the airport, allowing you to enjoy the pilgrimage atmosphere during arrival and departure.
Mojiko Retro Area
The Mojiko area, about 15 minutes by JR from Kokura Station, is often used as a setting for anime and manga. The retro townscape is also perfect for photos, allowing you to enjoy both sacred site pilgrimage and sightseeing simultaneously.
How to Enjoy the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum | Tips for Sacred Site Pilgrimage
Recommended Plan for First-Time Visitors
Arrive in the morning: Arriving at the 11:00 opening time allows you to view exhibits leisurely while avoiding crowds.
Start with the exhibition zone: First view the 5th floor exhibition zone to learn about Kitakyushu’s manga culture history and artists, then move to the 6th floor browsing zone to actually read the works.
Have lunch in the surrounding area: There are numerous restaurants near Kokura Station, and you can also enjoy local specialties like Kitakyushu-style yakiudon noodles.
Spend the afternoon leisurely in the browsing zone: After lunch, relax reading your favorite manga in the browsing zone. You can immerse yourself in the world of manga until closing time.
Ways to Enjoy for Returning Visitors
Focus on special exhibitions: By visiting with changing special exhibitions as your main focus, there’s always something new to discover.
Participate in events: By participating in book clubs and special lectures, you can also enjoy interaction with people who share your interests.
Visit by season: Targeting times when special projects are held, such as around Golden Week, summer vacation, or year-end and new year period, is also recommended.
Photography Tips
Exhibits within the museum are generally photographable, but some areas are off-limits for photography. Check with staff before taking photos or check the signage.
Recommended Photography Spots:
- Matsumoto Leiji works original drawing display corner
- Browsing zone bookshelves (the impressive 70,000 volumes)
- Special photo spots set up for special exhibitions
When sharing on SNS, using the official hashtag “#Kitakyushu City Manga Museum” allows you to also enjoy interaction with other sacred site pilgrims.
Other Anime and Manga Sacred Pilgrimage Spots in Fukuoka Prefecture
By visiting other sacred site pilgrimage spots in Fukuoka Prefecture when you visit the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum, your trip can become even more enriching.
Spots in Fukuoka City
Fukuoka City Museum: Special exhibitions of works by Oda Eiichiro, author of “ONE PIECE,” are sometimes held.
Canal City Hakata: A commercial facility where anime collaboration events are frequently held.
Dazaifu and Chikushino Areas
Dazaifu Tenmangu: Known as a sacred site for the anime “Sound! Euphonium,” many fans visit here along with prayers for success.
Kurume Area
Kurume City is known as the hometown of Inoue Takehiko, author of “SLAM DUNK,” and there are related spots scattered throughout the city.
Conclusion | Enjoy Sacred Site Pilgrimage at the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum
The Kitakyushu City Manga Museum is a facility with multifaceted appeal as the history of Kitakyushu, a land that greatly contributed to the development of Japanese manga culture, and the numerous masterpieces born there, as well as a place nurturing future creators.
This location, selected as one of the “Anime Sacred Sites 88,” is not merely a display facility but truly a sacred site for manga fans, allowing comprehensive enjoyment of manga from three perspectives: “viewing,” “reading,” and “drawing.”
The browsing zone with approximately 70,000 manga volumes to read is Japan’s largest, and you won’t get bored even spending an entire day there. The exhibition zone where you can see valuable original drawings and materials from renowned artists like Matsumoto Leiji, Hojo Tsukasa, and Watase Seizo, along with various lectures and events where you can actually experience manga creation, mean there’s always something new and moving to discover with each visit.
Its excellent accessibility, just a 2-minute walk from JR Kokura Station, is also a major attraction for sacred site pilgrims. With Shinkansen access taking about 15 minutes from Hakata and about an hour from Hiroshima, day-trip sacred site pilgrimage from within and outside Kyushu is entirely feasible.
Opening hours are 11:00-19:00 (admission until 18:30), and it’s closed every Tuesday (or the next day if Tuesday is a holiday). We recommend checking the official website for the latest information before planning your visit.
When visiting Fukuoka Prefecture, be sure to add the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum to your sacred site pilgrimage list. You’ll be able to fully experience the depth of manga, a cultural form Japan proudly presents to the world, and the wellspring of creativity nurtured by the land of Kitakyushu.
