Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
June 9, 2026
Mojiko Port is located in Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and is a port town at the northernmost tip of Kyushu. Opened in 1889, Mojiko Port flourished as one of Japan's three major ports from the Meiji to Taisho periods. As a result, many brick and wooden buildings that blend Japanese and Western styles remain today. Kitakyushu City has developed the Mojiko Retro District, restoring and reusing historical buildings such as the former Mojiko Customs House, the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha building, and the former Mojiko Mitsui Club. Furthermore, the Mojiko Retro Observation Room and museum have been added, making it a popular tourist spot where a retro atmosphere and modern tourist facilities coexist.
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The most common way to get to Mojiko is by taking the JR train from Hakata or Kokura. Mojiko Station itself is a tourist attraction, so you don't need to travel far after arriving. Many of the tourist spots in the Mojiko Retro district can be visited on foot.
Upon arriving in Mojiko, I recommend first visiting Mojiko Station, and then taking a leisurely stroll around the former Osaka Shosen Building, the former Mojiko Mitsui Club, Kaikyo Plaza, and Blue Wing Moji area.
A classic day trip itinerary involves sightseeing in Mojiko in the morning, enjoying seafood at Karato Market in Shimonoseki for lunch or afternoon, and then returning to Mojiko in the evening to watch the sunset and night view.
Mojiko Station is the starting point for day trips to Mojiko and is one of the most representative historical buildings in the port. The station building's exterior exudes the atmosphere of the Taisho era, and its wooden construction and retro design make you feel as if you've stepped back in time the moment you leave the station. Many travelers take a photo in front of this station as their first picture in Mojiko.
The Mojiko Retro District is the central area for sightseeing in Mojiko. Here you will find a collection of buildings that retain the atmosphere of the Meiji and Taisho periods, including the former Osaka Shosen Building, the former Mojiko Mitsui Club, and the former Mojiko Customs House.
The former Moji Mitsui Club is a historical building with a Western architectural feel, and was once used as a facility to receive distinguished guests.
Blue Wing Moji is a very popular photo spot in the Mojiko Retro district. It is a pedestrian-only movable bridge that opens and closes at designated times to allow ships to pass through.
When the bridge opens, the sight of the blue bridge spreading out like wings is truly impressive. Blue Wing Moji is also known as a romantic spot, and many couples visit to take pictures. During the day, you can capture the sea view and the bridge, and in the evening, you can photograph the sunset and the atmosphere of the port town.
If you want to enjoy a view of Mojiko Port, the Kanmon Strait, and the city of Shimonoseki on the opposite shore from a high vantage point, the Mojiko Retro Observation Room is highly recommended.
The observation deck is located inside a high-rise building, offering panoramic views of the Mojiko Retro district, the strait, the Kanmon Bridge, and the harbor. Visiting during the daytime gives you a good understanding of the overall topography of Mojiko and allows you to appreciate the distance between Kyushu and Honshu. If you visit in the evening or at night, you can enjoy the sunset and the night view.
The Kyushu Railway Museum is a recommended spot for families traveling with children, railway enthusiasts, and anyone who loves Japanese transportation culture.
Inside the museum, you can see exhibits on the history of railway development in Kyushu, train models, old rolling stock, and various other railway-related displays. Some of the rolling stock can be viewed up close.
Compared to sightseeing that simply involves looking at architecture, this place offers a more immersive experience, and children are less likely to feel like they're just "walking around and taking pictures."
The Kanmon Tunnel Pedestrian Walkway is one of the most unique tourist attractions in Mojiko. This underwater tunnel connects the Kyushu side of Fukuoka Prefecture with the Honshu side of Yamaguchi Prefecture, allowing travelers to walk under the sea from Mojiko to Shimonoseki.
There is a sign indicating the prefectural border near the center of the tunnel, and many tourists take photos at the border between Fukuoka Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture.
When it comes to Mojiko cuisine, one dish you absolutely must try is Mojiko baked curry. Baked curry is a local specialty originating in Mojiko, where rich curry is poured over white rice, topped with cheese and an egg, and then baked in the oven. The surface becomes golden brown and fragrant, filling the air with an appetizing aroma.
It is said that this dish was created by chance when the owner of a famous restaurant covered the egg yolk with cheese to prevent it from breaking while baking.
| Famous restaurants in Mojiko | Signature dishes | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Curry Shop Mojiko Retro Store | Iron pot baked cheese curry | A famous restaurant credited with inventing cheese toppings. Its rating on review sites is approximately 3.5 stars. |
| Mojiko Princess Phi Phi | Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) baked curry, pufferfish tempura, banana beer | This popular restaurant offers stunning ocean views. Window seats allow you to enjoy your meal while overlooking the sea of Mojiko. |
| MILK HALL Mojiko | Baked curry set, Showa pudding | A cafe with a Meiji/Taisho era atmosphere. The set includes their famous pudding and coffee, making it great value for money. |
| Mojiko King's Egg | Baked curry, seaside terrace seating | This Western-style cafe is located in a retro-style townscape. Its charm lies in the atmosphere of its terrace seating, where you can feel the sea breeze. |
Besides Mojiko baked curry, you should also definitely try the local pufferfish dishes. Mojiko has long been known as an important landing point for pufferfish.
For those with a sweet tooth, we also recommend our signature pudding. You can enjoy its bouncy texture and rich egg flavor.
| Itinerary combination | Tourism Themes | Recommended Route |
|---|---|---|
| Mojiko + Kokura | Retro architecture and shopping | In the morning, I strolled around the Mojiko Retro district and had baked curry for lunch. In the afternoon, I visited Kokura Castle and did some shopping in the shopping district. |
| Mojiko + Shimonoseki | Port town and seafood | In the morning, I watched the Blue Wing Moji at Mojiko Port. I crossed the Kanmon Strait by ferry, enjoyed seafood at Shimonoseki Karato Market, and then went to Akama Shrine. |
| Kokura + Mojiko + Shimonoseki | Enjoy three areas in one day | Hakata → Kokura → Mojiko → ferry to Shimonoseki → ferry back to Mojiko → Kokura → Hakata. Time management is crucial. |
When it comes to souvenirs from Mojiko, bananas are an absolute must. During the Meiji and Taisho eras, bananas transported from Taiwan and other places were unloaded at Mojiko and auctioned off there. This gave rise to the culture of selling bananas at bargain prices.
Since 1999, a unique Banana Man statue has been installed near Kaikyo Plaza, and the Banana Post in front of Mojiko Station has also become a popular photo spot. You can also purchase stamps here and actually mail postcards.
If you're looking to buy souvenirs in Mojiko, I recommend the souvenir street at Kaikyo Plaza, the Mojiko Retro Tourist Products Center "Minato House," and the adjacent Kanmon Market.
They offer banana sweets, baked curry-related products, mentaiko (spicy cod roe) products, pufferfish products, and local craft beer. Among them, I would personally recommend the mentaiko rice crackers.
Many of the tourist attractions in the Mojiko Retro district can be visited on foot. However, you may need to take a bus or taxi to get to places like Mekari Park, Mekari Shrine, or the entrance to the Kanmon Tunnel pedestrian walkway.
When planning your itinerary, be sure to check the location of each spot beforehand and don't assume that everything is located in front of the station.
Some shops and stalls in Karato Market have different opening hours depending on the day of the week and time of day.
Also, if you want to see the night view of Mojiko, be sure to pay attention to the JR train schedule for your return trip and make sure you don't miss the last train.
Because Mojiko is located along the coast, it can feel quite windy in winter and in the evenings. It's a good idea to bring a jacket. In summer, there are many outdoor spots along the harbor, so don't forget sun protection.
If you'd like to upgrade your day trip to Mojiko to a two-day, one-night stay, we recommend staying at Glamp Dome SHIMONOSEKI in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
This accommodation is located near the Kanmon Strait, offering guests views of the strait. It is ideal for travelers who want to combine their trip to Mojiko, Shimonoseki, and Karato Market.
The hotel offers a variety of room types, including ocean-view dome tents overlooking the Kanmon Strait, rooms with saunas, and rooms with private pools.
The highlight of this glamping experience is the BBQ featuring fresh ingredients delivered directly from Karato Market. The menu includes seafood from Shimonoseki, meat from Yamaguchi Prefecture, pufferfish dishes, and local vegetables.
Additionally, you can bring your own ingredients and enjoy a BBQ tailored to your preferences within the accommodation.
A: Mojiko Port is located in Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, and is situated at the northernmost tip of Kyushu. It faces the Kanmon Strait and is across the sea from Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. You can travel between the two cities using the Kanmon Bridge and the Kanmon Tunnel.
A: If you take the JR Kagoshima Main Line, it takes about 96 minutes by direct train. If you take the Limited Express Sonic or take the Shinkansen to Kokura and transfer there, it will be even faster, and you can arrive in about an hour in total.
The greatest appeal of Mojiko is that it combines historical architecture, port town scenery, strait traffic, and local cuisine all in one place.
You can start your stroll from the retro Mojiko Station and enjoy the architecture of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha, the former Mojiko Mitsui Club, and the former Mojiko Customs House.
Enjoy a day in true Mojiko style by overlooking the Kanmon Strait from the observation deck and finally savoring Mojiko-style baked curry.
The next time you plan a free trip to Fukuoka or Kitakyushu, be sure to include Mojiko in your itinerary.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
