March 16, 2023 Day 22: Mojiko

Moji was one of five cities that merged to form Kitakyushu City in 1963. It is the closest municipality of Kyushu in proximity to Honshu Island. Moji Port, or Mojiko, has been prominent as an international trading port since the late 19th century. Today, although main port activities have been moved to a newer location at Shin-Moji Port, Mojiko retains its relevance as a tourist destination with a flavor from the past thanks to several well preserved Western-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods. One of these buildings is Mojiko Station, one of Japan's oldest and most atmospheric train stations. A leisurely walk from the station takes you to the several other historic buildings located in an attractive waterfront area. These buildings were initially constructed about a century ago to accommodate and facilitate flourishing businesses thanks to the thriving trade with the Asian continent. Some of them are open to visitors and house the likes of libraries, cafes, restaurants and museums.