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.
The current station building was completed in 1914. Until the Kanmon Tunnel opened, it served as a major gateway for rail travelers in Kyushu and was bustling with activity. In 1988, it became the first railway station building to be designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The station was restored to its former glory in 2019 after six years of restoration and seismic retrofitting.
In recent years, efforts have been made to relocate and restore other historical buildings from the Meiji to early Showa periods, such as the Former Moji Mitsui Club and the Old Moji Customs Building. Additionally, new hotels and museums are being developed in a retro style as part of the tourist area known as "Mojiko Retro." This picturesque townscape has become particularly popular among young people.
Highlights
-
One of only two active station buildings in Japan designated as an Important Cultural Property.
-
Completed a major preservation and restoration project in 2019.
-
A key building in "Mojiko Retro" and a major transportation hub.
