Kitakyushu City (北九州市; lit. "Northern Kyushu") is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan.  It is midway between Tokyo and Shanghai.  Kitakyushu City has a population of just under one million.  Together with Shimonoseki (下関) on Honshu the city is the center of an area known as the Kitakyushu metropolitan area (北九州都市圏 Kanmon-toshiken) or Kanmon Metropolitan Area (関門都市圏 Kanmon-toshiken), which has a total population of about 1.5 million (Bureau of Statistics definition).  There are multiple metropolitan area definitions for this area, with population estimates ranging from 1.15 to 2.4 million people.  Some estimates include the nearby cities of Shimonoseki and Ube (宇部) in Yamaguchi Prefecture, but most exclude Oita in neighboring Oita Prefecture.
  
  Moji-ku (門司区) is one of the seven wards of Kitakyushu City.  Moji-ko Retro (門司港レトロ), which officially opened under this name as a tourist site in 1995, is a historical area centered on JR Kyushu's Mojiko Station (門司駅), which is a replica of Rome's Termini Station and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.  The area boasts many interesting historic buildings.  For instance, the former Moji Mitsui Club (門司三井倶楽部) once hosted Dr. Albert Einstein and his wife when they visited Japan in the 1920s.  Recent developments along the waterfront, such as the renovated customs building, a striking new hotel and a unique pedestrian drawbridge (Blue Wing) add to the charm of Moji-ko (門司港) and make it a pleasant place for visitors to stroll.  It is the former city of Moji which was one of five cities merged to create Kitakyushu in 1963.  It faces the city of Shimonoseki across the Kanmon Straits between Honshu and Kyushu. The ward's area is 73.37 sq. km and it has a population of 114,754 as of 2000.
  Moji was first made into a port by Kencho Suematsu (末松 謙澄, 1855-1920) with the financial backing of Eiichi Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一, 1840-1931) in 1889.  It was chiefly used for the transportation of coal, though there is a traditional song about the sale of bananas imported into Moji from Southeast Asia which survives to this day ("Banana no tataki-uri" [バナナの叩き売り]: bargaining over bananas in the street).  Moji was also the departure point for many troops in the Russo-Japanese War who were ferried across to Korea.
  Moji-ko Retro (門司港レトロ), which officially opened under this name as a tourist site in 1995, is a historical area centered on JR Kyushu's Mojiko Station, which is a replica of Rome's Termini Station and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.  The area boasts many interesting historic buildings.  For instance, the former Moji Mitsui Club once hosted Dr. Albert Einstein and his wife when they visited Japan in the 1920s.  Recent developments along the waterfront, such as the renovated customs building, a striking new hotel and a unique pedestrian drawbridge (Blue Wing) add to the charm of Moji-ko and make it a pleasant place for visitors to stroll.  (Referred to the site of "Wikipedia.")
  
  

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JR Mojiko Station

JR Mojiko Station (JR門司港駅) was a two-storied Neo-Renaissance-styled building constructed in the 3rd year of Taisho (大正3年) or 1914. They still used the same facilities in the old wooden building.

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(Wednesday 24 March) JR Mojiko Station

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(Wednesday 24 March) JR Mojiko Station

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(Wednesday 24 March) Inside of JR Mojiko Station

Old Osaka Shosen Building

Old Osaka Shosen Building (旧大阪商船) built in the 6th year of Taisho (大正6年) or 1917

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(Wednesday 24 March) Old Osaka Shosen Building

Old Moji Mitsui Club

Old Moji Mitsui Club (旧門司三井倶楽部) built in the 10th year of Taisho (大正10年) or 1921 as the guesthouse of Mitsui Bussan (三井物産).

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(Wednesday 24 March) Old Moji Mitsui Club

Dai-Ichi Funa-damari

Dai-Ichi Funa-damari (第１船だまり; the First Dock), Moji-ko (門司港; Moji Port)

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(Wednesday 24 March) Dai-Ichi Funa-damari (第１船だまり; the First Dock), Moji-ko (門司港; Moji Port)

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(Wednesday 24 March) "Orugoru Museum Moji-ko" (オルゴール・ミュージアム門司港; Musical Box Museum Moji Port), Dai-Ichi Funa-damari

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(Wednesday 24 March) Memorial Photo Point: "Moji-ko Rekishi-Gekijo" (門司港歴史劇場; Moji Port Historical Theatre) featuring Yoshitsune Minamoto (源義経) and his faithful monk retainer Benkei (弁慶) in the Battle of Dan-no-ura (壇之浦の戦い) in 1185.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Mojiko Hotel (門司港ホテル), viewed from Dai-Ichi Funa-damari

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(Wednesday 24 March) Statue of "Banana Man" with Mojiko Hotel in the background, Dai-Ichi Funa-damari. Moji Port is famous for the birthplace of bargaining over bananas in the street. See the related photos below.

Old Custom Office Moji Port

Old Custom Office Moji Port (旧門司税関) built in the 45th year of Meiji (明治42年) or 1909 following the establishment of Moji Custom Office On the edge of Dai-Ichi Funa-damari or in the opposite side of "Kokusai-yuko-kinen Tosho-kan" (国際友好記念図書館; the Memorial Library of International Friendship)

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(Wednesday 24 March) Old Custom Office Moji Port on the edge of Dai-Ichi Funa-damari

Views of the Kanmon Strait

Views of the Kanmon Strait (関門海峡) or the Shimonoseki Strait (下関海峡) from Mojiko Retro Observation Room (門司港レトロ展望室)

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(Wednesday 24 March) "Kokusai-yuko-kinen Tosho-kan" (国際友好記念図書館; the Memorial Library of International Friendship)

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(Wednesday 24 March) Mojiko Retro Observation Room (門司港レトロ展望室), Old Custom Office Moji Port (旧門司税関) , etc.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Mojiko Retro Observation Room (門司港レトロ展望室) and "Kokusai-yuko-kinen Tosho-kan" (国際友好記念図書館; the Memorial Library of International Friendship)

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(Wednesday 24 March) A window indicating the place of the Battle of Dan-no-ura (壇之浦の戦い, March 24, 1185), the final and critical battle between the Gen-ji clan (源氏) and the Hei-shi clan (平氏)

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(Wednesday 24 March) Illustrated map of Dan-no-ura and its environs

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(Wednesday 24 March) Dan-no-ura, Shimonoseki City, viewed from Mojiko Retro Observation Room

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(Wednesday 24 March) Dan-no-ura, Shimonoseki City, viewed from Mojiko Retro Observation Room

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(Wednesday 24 March) Akama-jingu Shrine (赤間神宮), Shimonoseki City, which was dedicated to the tragic Emperor Antoku (安徳天皇, 1178-1185; r.1180-1185) who suicided by jumping into water with his mother Tokuko Taira (平徳子; Kenreimon-in Tokuko [建礼門院徳子], 1155-1213) who was rescued by the Genji soldiers.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Akama-jingu Shrine (赤間神宮), Shimonoseki City

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(Wednesday 24 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura (壇之浦合戦壁画) on the hill of Mekari Park (和布刈公園). Viewed from Mojiko Retro Obeservation Room. See below.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Koso hachiman-gu Shrine (甲宗八幡宮), Moji-ko.. Viewed from Mojiko Retro Observation Room.

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(Wednesday 24 March) A window indicating the place of Ganryu-jima Island (巌流島), also known as Funa-shima (船島) where the legendary samurai Musashi Miyamoto (宮本武蔵, 1584?-1645) fought with Kojiro Sasaki (佐々木小次郎, ?-1612) in the 17th year of Keicho (慶長17年) or 1612.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Information board of Ganryu-jima Island, Mojiko Retro Observation Room

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(Wednesday 24 March) Ganryu-jima Island (巌流島), also known as Funa-shima (船島), Shimonoseki City. Viewed from Mojiko Retro Observation Room.

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(Wednesday 24 March) A window indicating the present Moji-ko (Moji Port), Mojiko Retro Observation Room

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(Wednesday 24 March) A landscape of Moji-ko (Moji Port), viewed from Mojiko Retro Observation Room

Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine (甲宗八幡神社), Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City is a famous shrine reconstructed by Noriyori and Yoshitsune Minamoto (源範頼・義経) for the repose of the Heike clan (平氏) in 1185. It has the stupa reportedly for Tomonori Taira (平知盛, 1152-1185), the most felonious commander of the Heiki clan, who got suicide into the water at the end of the Battle of Dan-no-ura, saying "I saw what I should see" (「見るべき程の事は見つ」). His life has been repeatedly referred to in poetry and songs, and dramatized many times.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Information board of Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) Stone Shrine Gate to Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) Stone Steps and the Shrine Gate to Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) Name plaque on the Stone Shrine Gate to Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) Interior of "Hai-den" (拝殿; the Worshippers' Hall), Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 24 March) Stupa reportedly for Tomonori Taira (平知盛, 1152-1185), the most felonious commander of the Heiki clan, who got suicide into the water at the end of the Battle of Dan-no-ura, saying "I saw what I should see" (「見るべき程の事は見つ」). His life has been repeatedly referred to in poetry and songs, and dramatized many times.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Stupa reportedly for Tomonori Taira (平知盛, 1152-1185), Koso Hachiman-jinjya Shrine

Birthplace of Bargaining over Bananas

Birthplace of bargaining over bananas in Sambashi-dori Street (桟橋通り) near Moji Port. Cheap-Jacks and cheap-Johns had bargained bananas gallantly in the early Taisho era and in the early Showa Era (around 1912-1939).

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(Wednesday 24 March) Informattion board of the Birthplace of bargaining over bananas in Sambashi-dori Street (桟橋通り) near Moji Port

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(Wednesday 24 March) Birthplace of bargaining over bananas in Sambashi-dori Street (桟橋通り) near Moji Port

Kyushu Railway History Museum

Kyushu Railway History Museum (九州鉄道記念館) near Moji Port

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(Wednesday 24 March) Kyushu Railway History Museum (九州鉄道記念館) near Moji Port

Sakae-machi Ginten-gai

Sakae-machi Ginten-gai Shopping Street (栄町銀天街), Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Wednesday 24 March) Sakae-machi Ginten-gai Shopping Street (栄町銀天街), Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Wednesday 24 March) Sakae-machi Ginten-gai Shopping Street (栄町銀天街), Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

Curry & Spaghetti AL-AL

Curry & Spaghetti AL-AL (あるある) is located at 2-17 Sakae-machi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City. They offer "the best baked curry dish" (焼きカリー) as they insist.

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(Wednesday 24 March) Curry & Spaghetti AL-AL (あるある) is located at 2-17 Sakae-machi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Wednesday 24 March) Caesar Salad, Curry & Spaghetti AL-AL (あるある) is located at 2-17 Sakae-machi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Wednesday 24 March) "The best baked curry dish" (焼きカリー), Curry & Spaghetti AL-AL (あるある) is located at 2-17 Sakae-machi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City: in the middle of Sakae-machi Ginten-gai Shopping Street (栄町銀天街).

Mekari Park

Mekari Park (和布刈公園) is located on the hill of Moji, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City (北九州市門司区大字門司). The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura (壇之浦合戦壁画) (made in October 1990; 3 m high/44 m wide) near Mekari-Sanso (めかり山荘) or the second obervatory (第2展望台). The painting was made from 1,400 ceramic plates of Arita ware (有田焼).

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) The mural painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura by the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) Dan-no-ura (Kanmon Channel), viewed from the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) Moji area, viewed from the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

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(Monday 12 March) Me with a view of Dan-no-ura from the 2nd Observatory of Mekari Park, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City

        

Copyright (c) 2010-2012 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.