Enthralled by the Ocean Breeze: A Day Trip to Mojiko Retro Part 1
An Excursion from the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
Fukuoka-based writer Oki Yuko shares a special summer trip plan brimming with the captivating charm of Mojiko for those who love trains, those who are interested in trains, and even those who may not typically be drawn to trains. Mojiko, our destination, is conveniently located just a 15-minute train ride from Kokura in Kitakyushu City. It’s an ideal spot for a day trip, offering nostalgic streets adorned with historic buildings and other tourist attractions that are all easily accessible by foot.
Mojiko area, under a clear blue sky, offers picturesque scenery with the port and red-brick buildings in the background. The top floor of the tall building pictured in the center is an observation deck, offering a breathtaking night view. It has earned the prestigious title of “Night View Heritage of Japan” and is a popular romantic spot for couples.
Go to Mojiko, a city that flourished as one of the three major ports in Japan.
The tour I booked for us today is the package titled “Enjoy the Lights and History of Mojiko with Mojiko Retro Free Pass,” offered by the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura. After checking in and picking up our free pass for tomorrow’s tour, we can indulge in a delightful dinner at “Teppanyaki Naniwa,” located on the 28th floor. The luxurious dining experience offers not only delectable meat dishes prepared by a skilled chef but also a stunning view of the city, which is one of the “new Japanese cities with the most spectacular night views.” You can see the railway tracks leading off into the distance in the night view, filling you with anticipation for the journey that awaits tomorrow.
Teppanyaki Naniwa
View from hotel room
Starting the day with a beautiful view of trains coming and going from east to west, resembling a captivating diorama, we are now embarking on our journey to our first destination. JR Mojiko Station was the very first station building in Japan to be designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The building has undergone six years of restoration and has been beautifully reborn. Stepping inside feels like a journey back in time to the Taisho Era, and the station staff’s uniforms perfectly complement this ambiance with a charming retro design complete with stuffed collars. Inside the station building are many interesting artifacts, including the “Zero Mile Post,” which marks the original starting point of the Kyushu Railway, as well as the “Lucky Water Basin,” which miraculously survived the metal salvaging operation conducted by the Japanese government during the war.
JR Mojiko Station has been restored to its original glory. A fountain in the plaza in front of the station is an attraction for children to enjoy
Station concourse
After a quick tour of the station building, we will exit the ticket gate to the right and make our way to the Kyushu Railway History Museum. This red-brick building was constructed during the Meiji Era and originally served as the headquarters of the former Kyushu Railway. It has since been restored to its original state and is now open as the Kyushu Railway History Museum. The museum exhibits a collection of wooden passenger cars, C59s, 9600s, and various other train models built in Kyushu during the Meiji Era, which are all must-sees for railroad enthusiasts. It offers seasonal exhibitions as well as permanent exhibitions that showcase the history of Kyushu’s railroads, models of steam locomotives, and a variety of other fascinating artifacts.
Kyushu Railway History Museum
Driving Simulator
Miniature Train Park
The driving simulator, which allows you to be a driver of a Series 811 suburban train running from Mojiko to Orio, is one of the most popular attractions here. With a screen that displays the actual scenery and authentic train announcements, the simulator offers a level of realism that will fully immerse you in the experience. At the back of the museum is a model railroad that replicates the beauty of Kyushu, offering an enchanting experience for individuals of all ages. Outside the museum is a miniature train park, where visitors can run the miniature “Tsubame” and “Kamome” model trains (for a fee).
The sightseeing train “Shiokaze-go” and the “Mojiko Retro” area will be featured in Part 2 of the article.
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
2-14-2, Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Phone: +81(0) 93-531-1121
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JR Mojiko Station
Mojiko Station was built in 1914 and was the very first station building in Japan to be designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1988. It was restored to its original state in March 2019 after six and a half years of conservation and repair work, which started in 2012. The two-story wooden station building features symmetry in the neo-renaissance style.
1-5-31, Nishi Kaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Kyushu Railway History Museum
The Kyushu Railway History Museum opened in 2003, following the restoration of the former Kyushu Railway headquarters building constructed in 1891. The museum offers hands-on exhibits, including real steam locomotives and other popular trains, past designs of uniforms worn by station staff, train head marks, train tickets, tools, and even Ekiben (train lunch box) labels. In the miniature train park, visitors can run model trains on a railway that features authentic equipment like double tracks and signals, among other things. A railroad theme park where visitors can enjoy themselves all day long.
2-3-29, Kiyotaki, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Phone: +81(0) 93-322-1006
