SIGHTSEEING

Step Back in Time: The Nostalgic Charm of Mojiko Retro District

2023.11.11

Mojiko in Kitakyushu is a captivatingly retro town that offers an experience akin to stepping into a time machine. Where the charm of the Meiji era intertwines with the buzz of modern life, Mojiko breathes over 120 years of history and culture, creating a unique blend of the old and new in its landscapes and buildings.

Historical Architectural Gems

Mojiko boasts beautifully preserved historic buildings that exude a sense of grandeur. Many of these structures are open for public viewing, offering a substantial and nostalgic experience. Immerse yourself in the leisurely pace of yesteryear, surrounded by Mojiko’s elegant ambiance.

Mojiko Station

Constructed in 1914 and designated as Japan’s first railway station to be a significant cultural asset in 1988, Mojiko Station is a Renaissance-style wooden building. It’s known as one of Kyushu’s oldest and most historically valuable stations. With a one-meter-diameter bronze hand basin, polished brass-wrapped columns, and a roof laid with about 1,500 square meters of copper plates and approximately 700 meters of asbestos straight, it’s reminiscent of its heyday as a continental transportation hub. The former third-class waiting room on the first floor now houses a Starbucks Coffee, and the second floor has revived the “Mikado Diner” from its opening days, currently serving as a Western-style restaurant.

Former Moji Mitsui Club

A historically significant building, where Einstein once stayed during his visit to Japan. Designated as a national important cultural property in 1990, it now houses Japanese and Western restaurants, a multipurpose hall on the first floor, and the Einstein Memorial Room and a memorial room for Fumiko Hayashi, a writer from Moji, on the second floor.

Former Osaka Shosen

Built in 1917 as the Moji branch of Osaka Shosen, this two-story Western-style wooden building was in use until 1991. Designed in the “Secession style” (free from traditional artistic styles) popular in Europe, it features orange tiles, large arch-shaped windows, and an impressive octagonal tower.

Former Moji Customs House

This red-brick building is a symbol of the era when Mojiko was known as the “Gateway to the World.” The ground floor includes an entrance hall, a rest area, an exhibition room, and the “Retro Café.” The second floor is a gallery featuring a customs corner. Various events are often held in the entrance hall.