Mojiko Station

Mojiko Station stands as a magnificent testament to Japan's railway heritage in the historic port district of Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. Built in 1914, this wooden two-story Neo-Renaissance station building serves as the gateway to the atmospheric Mojiko Retro district. In 1988, it became the first railway station building in Japan to be designated as an Important Cultural Property, making it one of only two railway stations nationwide to hold this prestigious status.

The station's historical significance stems from Moji Port's designation as a Special National Port in 1889, when it became a crucial hub for coal exports and trade with China. The port served as an industrial development center and railway hub, shipping raw materials to factories throughout central and eastern Japan. The station building's symmetrical exterior was designed to represent a "gate," symbolizing its role as the starting point of the JR Kagoshima Main Line.

Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved station architecture, which underwent extensive restoration from 2012 to 2019 to return it to its original glory while adding modern seismic retrofitting. The station serves as the perfect starting point for discovering the surrounding Mojiko Retro district, where Victorian-style red brick buildings including the former Moji Customs Office and Kitakyushu International Friendship Memorial Library showcase the area's modernization heritage. The district also features a monument commemorating "banana no tataki uri" (cut-price banana sales), which originated at Moji Port due to its extensive trade with Taiwan.

The station and surrounding Moji Port attractions are conveniently located within a two-kilometer area along the bay, making the entire district easily explorable on foot. Access is straightforward via the JR Kagoshima Line, with frequent trains connecting Mojiko to Kokura Station in just 13 minutes for 340 yen. The Mojiko Retro district offers free admission, though individual attractions may have separate entrance fees. For those driving, the area is accessible via the Moji IC from the Kyushu Expressway, with parking available in the district.