[Mojiko Drive] One-day course! Introducing must-visit sightseeing spots and recommended gourmet food

Hello. I'm YOKO, a travel and food writer.

As a travel writer with 29 years of experience, I would like to suggest a day trip driving course that you can easily take from Fukuoka. This time, I will introduce the Mojiko area.

A day trip from Fukuoka to the Mojiko area! Start with a stroll around "Mojiko Retro"

Let's start off in Mojiko Retro, a popular tourist destination in Kitakyushu. There is a tourist area that makes use of the historical architecture, affectionately known as "Mojiko Retro." The streets, which feel like a time warp to the Meiji and Taisho eras, are lined with red brick buildings and Western-style houses, and wherever you look, you'll find picturesque scenery.

"Mojiko Retro" is where retro and modern meet. Let's go for a walk first. *The photo is of the "Old Moji Mitsui Club"

Image: Kitakyushu City

Once you cross the traffic lights in front of JR Mojiko Station, the Kanmon Straits will appear before your eyes! It might be nice to take a leisurely walk while feeling the sea breeze! You can get a close-up view of the Kanmon Bridge and ships of all sizes.

Image: Kitakyushu City

This is the "Old Moji Customs House," a historic building built in 1912.

The exterior is made of solid brick and is a popular photo spot. There is a cafe and rest area on the first floor, and an observation deck on the third floor with a panoramic view of the Kanmon Straits.

Image: Kitakyushu City

<Spot information>
■ Mojiko Retro
Address: Minatomachi area, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
HP:https://www.mojiko.info/

For lunch, try the local Mojiko gourmet dish, grilled curry, at "Kari Honpo Mojiko Retro Store"!

If you visit Mojiko Retro, you should definitely try the "yaki curry." This dish is made by pouring curry over rice, topping it with plenty of cheese and eggs, and baking it in an oven until golden brown. Since it was created in a coffee shop in the area in the 1950s, it has become a specialty of Mojiko Retro.

This time we will introduce "Kariihonpo Mojiko Retro Store", a famous store loved by tourists and locals alike. The store is on the second floor of a building, with a nice location with a view of the Kanmon Straits from the window!

Image: Garihonpo Mojiko Retro Store

The homemade curry sauce is rich and satisfying. Pictured is the "Grilled Seafood Curry" (from 1,500 yen). It is a luxurious dish containing eggs and cheese, shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels, and white fish.

Image: Garihonpo Mojiko Retro Store

<Store Information>
■Kari Honpo Mojiko Retro Store
Address: 2nd floor, Awaya Building, 9-2 Minato-cho, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-20:00 (last order 19:30)
Closed: Irregular holidays
HP:https://cbs-jx7thmmm.jp/

Enjoy the retro feel of Milk Hall Mojiko's pudding

If you want to relax during your stroll around Mojiko Retro, we recommend "Milk Hall Mojiko." It's a cafe with a nostalgic atmosphere that fits perfectly with the Mojiko Retro townscape.

The location is right in front of JR Mojiko Station.

Image: YOKO

"Mojiko Pudding" (693 yen) has a firm texture, and the fresh cream and cherries create a Showa retro feel. The bittersweet caramel sauce adds an accent!

Photo: Milk Hall Mojiko

This cafe is also a sister store of BEAR FRUITS, a famous Mojiko grilled curry restaurant. We also recommend the grilled curry (1,210 yen), made with spices and a curry sauce simmered in homemade fond de veau.

＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Milk Hall Mojiko
Address: 1F Nissan Senpaku Building, 1-4-3 Nishikaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka
Business hours: [Weekdays] 10:00-20:00 (Last Order 19:30), [Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and days before holidays] 10:00-21:00 (Last Order 20:30)
Closed: None
HP:https://bearfruits.jp/milkhallmojiko

Take home some local delicacies from the Kitakyushu Souvenir Hall!

The Kitakyushu Souvenir Shop is marked by a yellow banana postbox, symbolizing happiness. This souvenir shop is directly managed by the Kitakyushu Tourism and Convention Association, and is characterized by its collection of Kitakyushu specialties.

The lineup will make your souvenir search fun, including ready-made baked curry, local beer, the local dish rice bran miso rice, and famous local sweets.

Image: Kitakyushu Souvenir Hall

Of particular interest are the original merchandise featuring "Markers," a mysterious group that welcomes tourists visiting Kitakyushu City.

All of the products have impressive packaging, such as "Blended Coffee" (3 bags, 648 yen), "Hard Bread" (540 yen), which was made at the government-run Yawata Iron and Yahata during the Taisho era to provide nutritional supplements to employees, and "Mojiko Addictive Otsuma Spicy Baked Curry" (697 yen), a soy snack mixed with the spices of baked curry that originated in Mojiko.

Since it can only be purchased here, it's the perfect souvenir from Kitakyushu!

Image: Kitakyushu Souvenir Hall

<Spot information>
■Kitakyushu Souvenir Shop
Address: 1F Mojiko Retro Tourist and Product Center "Minato House", 6-72 Higashiminato-cho, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: [Weekdays] 10:00-17:30, [Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays] 10:00-18:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
HP:https://www.instagram.com/kitakyushuomiyagekan/

The last stop on the trip is Mekari No. 2 Observatory, surrounded by a glittering night view.

If you are going on a retro day trip to Mojiko, the last place you should stop by is Mekari Park Second Observation Deck, which is a 10-minute drive from JR Mojiko Station.

Located on a hilltop, the observation deck overlooking the strait offers a panoramic view of the illuminated Kanmon Bridge and the retro streets of Mojiko Port! A fantastical landscape that looks as if it were studded with jewels spreads before your eyes.

Image: Mojiko Retro Information

The tranquility and romantic view, which is different from daytime, is the perfect way to end your trip! Enjoy a special time at Mojiko Retro, where you can encounter photogenic and nostalgic scenery.

Image: Mojiko Retro Information

<Spot information>
■ Mekari Park Second Observation Deck
Address: Moji, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture

The Mojiko area is a place where you can enjoy a full day right up to the final night view. There are many festivals and events held here, so why not combine it with a drive to enjoy it! (Text by YOKO)

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