Port Moji Historical District

Port Moji Historical District, "Mojiko Retro"

Moji is located to the north end of Kyushu Island, facing to "Honshu", the Main Island of Japan, across the Kanmon Strait. This area became the center stage of the history of Japan twice.

The first time was in 1185. The battle of Dannoura happened at the Kanmon Strait. This battle was one of epoch-making events in Japan. As the results of the battle, the aristocracy finished and the Kamakura Age (1185 - 1333) , which is the era of the feudal government started.

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Detail explanations of the History at the end of the twelfth century

The end of twelfth century was at the end of the Heian Age (794 - 1185) . During the Heian Age, nobel people in Kyoto had political power and they practically governed Japan. However, these novel people assigned local clans to collect taxes from local areas, while they enjoyed their elegant and luxurious life in Kyoto. This behavior enabled local clans had powers, and these local clans became "Bushi", the officially appointed military groups. The TAIRA Clan, "Heishi" and the MINAMOTO Clan, "Genji", were high class "Bushi". Their ancestors were said ancient Emperors. At the end of the Heian Age, "Heishi" and "Genji" became the leaders of "Bushi".

TAIRA-no Kiyomori (1118 - 1181) became the Grand Minister in 1167. He married off his daughter, TAIRA-no Tokuko, to the Emperor TAKAKURA (1161 - 1181) and established the era in which "Only the members of the TAIRA Clan should be considered legitimate human beings".

Although TAIRA-no Kinomori created a governmental administration, he just behaved as a novel people and his politics were corrupted. Other "Bushi" clans disappointed with him. In 1180, "Genji" and other "Bushi" raise the standard of revolt against TAIRA-no Kiyomori and "Heishi". The battels between "Heishi" and "Genji" continuously happened from east side of Japan to the west. The battle of Dannoura happened at the Kanmon Strait was the last battle between them. "Heishi" destroyed or fell by the battle. MINAMOTO-no Yoritomo (1147 - 1199) , who was the leader of "Genji" began his government in 1185. Thus, the Kamakura Age started.

If you walk to the north from Mojiko Station, you will see the Kanmon Strait and the Port Moji.

Please refer the page of "Mojiko Station" for more detail:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kyushu/MojikoSt_E.html

You will see the Kanmon Strait Bridge far ahead (to the north) and also see the tall building at the Moji Port. The Kanmon Strait Bridge, connects between the Main Island of Japan and the Kyushu Island, was completed in 1973.

From the Moji Port, you will see Shimonoseki City, which is located to the other side of the Kanmon Strait. Between Shimonoseki and Moji, the railway tunnel and the road tunnel were built in 1942 and 1958, respectively. Before these tunnels were built, boats were the only transportation at the Kanmon Strait.

The Moji Port opened in 1899 as a national special port of export. Financial and bank organs and trading companies had branch offices near the port. The Moji port also played key roles for transportation on both passengers and goods until tunnels built in 1942. This area had well developed and prospered in the early twentieth century.

After tunnels opened, the Moji Port was obsoleted and abandoned. In 1995, this area was newly developed as a historical district by utilizing existing historical buildings. The tall building shown in the above left picture is the Mojiko Retro-highmart. It was designed by KUROKAWA Kisho (1934 - 2007) and the landscape of the Moji Port.

The red brick building in front of the Mojiko Retro-Highmart is the Former Moji Customs. The building was built in 1912. It was used as the customs until 1927 and was damaged by bombing during Word War II.

If you walk to the Mojiko Retro-Highmart from the Former Moji Customs, you see "Dalian Friendship Memorial". Kita-Kyushu city entered into a friendship agreement with Dalian in 1979. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the friendship agreement, a railway and steamboat company's building in Dalian by the Russian Empire in 1902 was faithfully reproduced. The building was built in 1995.

On the thirty-first floor of the Mojiko Retro-highmart, the observation deck is located. You will see the Kanmon Strait and Shimonoseki City across the strait.

In 1886, Choshu Domain, to which Shimonoseki was belonged, was conquered by the Edo Bakufu, Japanese feudal government. Kokura Domain, to which Moji was belonged, was a member of Allied Forces of Edo Bakufu. Kokura Domain and Choshu Domain had battels across the strait.

The below picture shows the view to the south from the observation deck of the Mojiko Retro-highmart. The view was spectacular.

On the way back to Mojiko Station from the Mojiko Retro-highmart, there are other historical buildings. The blow left picture shows "Former Moji Mitsui Club" and the blow right picture shows "Former Osaka Shosen".

"Former Moji Mitsui Club" was originally constructed in 1921 as a reception and accommodation facility of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Japan's first general trading company. Dr. Einstein stayed this building in 1930. "Former Moji Mitsui Club" is designated as an important property of Japan.
"Former Osaka Shosen" was built in 1917 as the Moji Branch building of Osaka Shosen, a shipping company.

Also, sightseeing trains run in this area from Kyushu Railway Museum Station to Kanmon-Kaikyo Mekari Station.

Port Moji Historical District is named as "Mojiko Retro". These historical buildings and museums are attractive for sightseers. Now-a-days, two million visitors come to this area for sightseeing.

How to get there
From Tokyo or Osaka, take a "Nozomi" bound for Hakata. Get off a Nozomi at Kokura and take a JR local train to Mojiko. Port Moji Historical District is located within the walking distance. Or, fly to Kita-Kyushu Airport and take a bus to Kokura Station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Akama Shrine in Shimonoseki
Mojiko Station
Kyushu Railway Museum
Mekari Area
Ruins of Kokura Castle