Blue Wing Moji | Review by 王小鈞

JR Mojiko Station

JR Mojiko Station, facing the Kanmon Straits in Moji, is the starting point of the JR Kagoshima Main Line. The wooden two-story station building, designed in a Neo-Renaissance style, is characterized by a symmetrical exterior said to represent a "gate," and it has been beloved as a landmark of Moji Port for many years.

• Kitakyushu
• Tourist Attractions

Mojiko Station was one of my favorite stations on this trip to Kyushu.
The entire wooden building has a retro feel, and stepping inside is like going back a hundred years. What stands out most is its symmetrical design, which is said to be based on the concept of a “gate.” It’s simple but distinctive.
Even though it’s just a station, I couldn’t help stopping to take more photos and look around every corner. Together with the nostalgic streets of Mojiko Port, it really has the atmosphere of an old Japanese port town.
If, like me, you enjoy old buildings and traveling at a leisurely pace, Mojiko Station is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Kanmon Straits

Located at the westernmost end of Honshu, separating Yamaguchi Prefecture's Shimonoseki City and Fukuoka Prefecture's Kitakyushu City, it's said to have formed about 6,000 years ago. The name "Kanmon Straits" is derived from the initials of Shimonoseki, historically known as Makan, and Moji, a district in Kitakyushu City.

• Yamaguchi
• Tourist Attractions

The Kanmon Straits Tunnel was more interesting than I expected!
I thought it would just be a walk through a tunnel, but I didn't expect to be able to walk from Honshu to Kyushu. It was a truly special experience. The route is a little over 700 meters long and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It's flat and easy to walk, like taking a stroll under the sea.
The one thing you shouldn't miss is the marker at the border between Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefectures. Standing in the middle with one foot in Honshu and the other in Kyushu, many people take photos here as a souvenir.
No boat or car needed—just a short walk lets you cross between two islands and two prefectures. I highly recommend experiencing this unique Kanmon Straits walk for yourself and making a different kind of travel memory.

Former Moji Mitsui Club

Built in 1921, it served as a social club for Mitsui Bussan. The building showcases the half-timbered style, a traditional European wooden architectural technique, where the wooden structure, like beams and pillars, are exposed on the exterior. This design, combined with the dark brown wooden elements emphasizing its vertical and horizontal lines against the contrast of the white window frames, characterizes its distinctive appearance.

• Kitakyushu
• Tourist Attractions

While strolling around Mojiko, I was unexpectedly drawn to this century-old Western-style building. The Former Moji Mitsui Club was built in 1921, and the entire building has a European feel. The dark wood paired with white window frames gives it an elegant look, and it looks great in every photo. It used to be a place where Mitsui Bussan entertained guests, and even Einstein stayed here when he visited Japan!
What I like most is that this old building doesn't feel overly commercial and just stands quietly on a street corner. Taking your time to walk around and look at it, it has more character than you'd expect. When you visit Mojiko, don't just focus on taking pictures of the harbor—this building is also worth stopping by.