Mojiko is a station where Kagoshima Main Line begins. It was once vital for the entire island of Kyushu, but trains running between Kyushu and the Main Island (Honshu) have completely been rerouted. Nevertheless, Mojiko still remains as a symbol of the area, and its historic building is highly popular among tourists.
Mojiko is one of two active stations that are designated by the government as an Important Cultural Property (the other one is Tokyo station). Opened in 1891 as Kyushu Railway's Moji station, it had been the most important railway terminal in Kyushu until 1942, when Kanmon Tunnel connecting Shimonoseki and Moji opened. At the same time, Moji station was renamed Mojiko.
The current building was built in 1914, seven years after the nationalisation of Kyushu Railway. There are many things to see, not only the architecture itself but also interior features such as the ticket hall, ticket office and waiting room. The main building is magnificent especially at night when it is illuminated. While most tourists visit the area during the daytime and leave by sunset, it is worth waiting until it gets dark.
According to the statistics, the annual entry and exit in 2023 was approximately 3.5 million, less than 4% of that of Hakata (the busiest station on JR Kyushu network). Mojiko station is mostly empty except during rush hours, so these platforms look disproportionately long. They remind us of the days when millions of passengers and tonnes of goods a year relied on trains and ferries to cross the Kanmon Straits.
Mojiko is a place where old western-style buildings are preserved. It is a small but lovely tourist spot, and it takes only 15 minutes from Kokura by train. Shimonoseki, another city known for such buildings and fugu (blowfish) dishes, is just five minutes away by boat.
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