Kokura
From Freepedia
Kokura (小倉) is an ancient castle town guarding, via its suburb Moji, the Straits of Shimonoseki between Honshu and Kyushu in Japan. Kokura is also the name of the penultimate station on the southbound Sanyo Shinkansen line. It is owned by JR Kyushu and an important part of the company's rail network. Ferries connect Kokura with Matsuyama on Shikoku, and Pusan in Korea.
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History
Kokura obtained municipality status in 1900. When the city of Kitakyushu was created in 1963, it was divided into Kokura Kita ward in the north, and Kokura Minami ward in the south.
Kokura was the primary target of the nuclear weapon “Fat Man” on August 9, 1945, but since the city had been obscured by clouds and Major Charles Sweeney of the Bockscar had orders to drop the bomb visually, they moved on to Nagasaki, the secondary target, where they dropped their lethal weapon. Consequently, the expression “Kokura's luck” became common in Japan for escaping a disaster without being aware of it.
Famous Residents
Festivals
- The Gion Festival of Kokura is called the “Gion of Drums” and celebrates the life of local folk-hero Muhomatsu.
Originalities
- Japan's first shopping arcade was built in Kokura.
- Japan's first cycle races (keirin) began here.
- yakiudon - food based on yakisoba, invented in Kokura.
See also
