Kitakyushu General Tourist Information Center

This tourist information center was newly established inside the public passageway of JR Kokura Station, the gateway to Kitakyushu City.
In order to improve the satisfaction of tourists, including foreign tourists, who will continue to increase in the future, and to promote sightseeing around the city, the existing information center, which was built about 15 years ago, will be closed and moved to a new location within the same station. , It was decided to expand and build a new building.


[Social Issues/Customer Issues/Requests]
Create a space that is easy to use and comfortable for travelers, prepare hardware and software for a digital signage system that allows content to be updated so that travelers themselves can search for tourist information, and currency exchange considering foreign travelers. There were requests that the information center should be designed with consideration for the installation of aircraft, etc., and that it should be an information center that satisfies the functions of JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) certification *1, the highest standard "Category 3" *2.


【solution】
In addition to satisfying the above requests, we proposed a plan with the goal of making it an information center that can be used even in the with corona era.
Based on the concept of "the gateway to Kyushu where you can taste Japan," the concept design reflects the advanced nature of Kitakyushu City, which is a mecca for manufacturing, while incorporating the traditional concept design of the castle town of Kokura, and carefully selecting interiors materials to maintain a safe and clean space. I suggested.
Functions include a contactless face-to-face system using a monitor, a system that allows travelers to upload and publish word-of-mouth travel information using SNS, and at night, the entire glass exterior wall becomes a signage that conveys the charm of Kitakyushu City. It is adopted by proposing setting etc.

The innovative concept design unique to Kitakyushu City and the clean white color are unified, and the entire area is glassed to create a bright and open atmosphere that makes it easy to stop by. While harmonizing with the gray-based modern station premises in terms of concept design, it also asserts itself as an information center by incorporating elements of Kokura-concept design and bustling elements.
At JR Kokura Station, the gateway to Kitakyushu City, the symbolic concept design conveys the charm of Kitakyushu City to visitors both inside and outside the city while raising expectations for travel.


【customer's voice】
The space that the city wanted to create as a tourist information center was specifically reflected in the concept design from the services provided, etc., and a tourist information center suitable for the "gateway to Kitakyushu City" was created.
In spite of the fact that the station is located in a place with many restrictions, we were able to solve many problems with our rich imagination and high technological capabilities.
We hope that the facilities will be even more useful to the many tourists who visit the city.
 

<From the Japan National Tourism Organization HP>

<Our project members>
[Development] Satoru Soeda
[Sales and Project Management] Satoru Soeda
[Planning/ design, layout Planning] Chieri Nishimura
[Production/ construction] Kazuya Hijiguro