Park in Front of Orio Station (Block 2): Market Sounding to Hear from Private Operators on Preserving and Using the "Nejiri-manpo"Ideas wanted for using a brick bridge more than 100 years old in a park in front of Orio Station
On October 5, 2026 (Reiwa 8), Kitakyushu City announced a market sounding to collect ideas widely from private operators on bringing in private-sector vitality, including preserving and using the "Nejiri-manpo" (the former Nishi-Nippon Railroad Orio Viaduct), said to be among the largest in Japan, as it prepares Block 2 Park of the Orio land readjustment project. What the park will be like and how it will be used have not been decided.
- October 5, 2026Distribution of the guidelines begins
- October 20, 2026Briefing session (Orio General Development Office, 2 p.m.)
- November 2, 2026Acceptance of proposals begins
- November 27, 2026Distribution of guidelines and acceptance of proposals end
Key points
- The target is Block 2 Park near the station plaza on the south side of Orio Station. It is expected to provide greenery and relaxation for the city and serve as a base for creating bustle
- On the site stands a brick three-arch bridge built in 1914 (Taisho 3), the former Nishi-Nippon Railroad Orio Viaduct. The third span, called "Nejiri-manpo", has a special structure, and its span of about 6.1 m is said to be among the largest in Japan
- The city will hold dialogue with private operators on preservation and use of the viaduct, the layout of park facilities and project viability, and use the results in drafting guidelines for a public call for installation
- Schedule: distribution of the guidelines October 5 to November 27, 2026; briefing on October 20 at 2 p.m. (Orio General Development Office); proposals accepted November 2 to November 27
What to do in practice
- If interested in submitting a proposal, check the guidelines and proposal forms on the city page and consider whether you can meet the November 27 deadline
- Watch for the public-call guidelines to see the direction of the park development in front of the station
In the park planned near Orio Station there is an old bridge made of bricks, built in 1914 (Taisho 3). One part of it has a special structure called "Nejiri-manpo", and it is among the largest in Japan. Kitakyushu City will collect ideas widely from companies and others on how to protect this bridge and make use of it in the park.
- 1. An old bridgeA brick bridge built in 1914 is on the planned park site
- 2. Hear ideasThis time, ideas on how to use it are collected from companies and others
- 3. Make rulesRules for choosing who builds the park are considered based on the opinions
- 4. Building the parkWhat happens next has not been decided
Points
- A brick bridge built in 1914 still stands on the planned park site
- "Nejiri-manpo" is made with an old special technique of stacking bricks in a spiral
- Now is the stage of hearing ideas from companies and others; the shape of the park has not been decided
What the words mean
- Market sounding
- Asking companies in advance what kind of use might be possible
- Preservation
- Protecting something so it does not break and keeping it
- City of Kitakyushu: City of Kitakyushu: Market sounding for developing Block 2 Park in front of Orio Station and preserving and using the "Nejiri-manpo"
This article previews items that are still under consideration or only requested. Whether they will be adopted, and whether the content or timing will change, is not final. Please check the official source again once a decision is made.
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