Mojiko Retro
Mojiko Retro, A Restored Harbour District In Kitakyushu In Northern Kyushu Of Meiji And Taisho Brick Buildings, A Fine Old Station, A Ferry To Shimonoseki, A Bridge For Walkers And Baked Curry, The Local Dish. Pleasant At Dusk. · Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Mojiko Retro is the old harbour district of Moji, in Kitakyushu at the northern tip of Kyushu, where the Kanmon Strait narrows to a few hundred metres. In the Meiji and Taisho eras Moji was a major port, and the district keeps brick and stone buildings from that time: the former Mojiko Station of 1914, a designated Important Cultural Property - confirm - the old Customs House, the Moji Mitsui Club, where Einstein is often said to have stayed - confirm - and the Kanmon Strait Museum. A short ferry crosses to Shimonoseki in roughly five minutes - confirm. A pedestrian bridge called Blue Wing Moji lifts over the harbour for passers-by. The local speciality is baked curry, rice and curry baked with cheese and egg. The district is compact and flat, and suits couples, photographers and anyone passing through Kyushu by train. It takes half a day. It is worth a stop if you like old buildings by water, and an hour is enough if you do not. Evening illumination makes dusk the best hour.
Mojiko, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, a short walk from Mojiko Station on the JR Kagoshima Line, across the strait from Shimonoseki, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
The streets are open all day and free to walk. Museums, the old Customs House and the Mitsui Club commonly open from about 09:00 to 17:00 with last entry earlier, and some close one weekday, often Monday, or for the New Year break - confirm. Restaurants run to the evening. From Hakata, a train on the JR line takes roughly one hour - confirm; Mojiko Station is the end of the line and the walk begins at the platform. The Shimonoseki ferry runs through the day. IC cards work on JR and the ferry, but bring cash for small cafes and museum entry.