Retro Charm of Kitakyushu's Mojiko Port

Mojiko in Kitakyushu was once a renowned port city in Japan. As an international trade hub, it was the first place in Japan to import bananas. However, Mojiko also has a darker history. This port was the site of war departure ceremonies and was used to transport Korean laborers. Additionally, Kitakyushu's Yawata Steelworks, which now produces high-grade steel sheets for automobile factories, was a place where many Koreans were forcibly conscripted in the past. Behind the quaint charm of this city lies the painful history of our ancestors. Today, the old buildings constructed during the port's opening are utilized for tourism, giving rise to the name "Mojiko Retro." From Mojiko Port, you can cross the Kanmon Bridge to reach Shimonoseki.