Located in a port town in Fukuoka, Mojiko Hotel a designer hotel in front of Mojiko Station is about 40 minutes away from Hakata and 50 minutes away from Kitakyushu Airport by train. The area around the century old Mojiko station has long been known as a trade port and its historic buildings and western architecture is still as it was when first built. This area being right in front of Shimonoseki is famous for its delicious fugu and being the originator of Baked Curry. We show you Mojiko Hotel this time where you can enjoy all that Mojiko has to offer.
The posthumous work of the Italian architect Aldo Rossi
The Mojiko Hotel opened its doors in 1998. This is the first hotel that was built in the Mojiko Station area. So, when it was decided that it would be designed by the world famous architect Aldo Rossi the locals were all happy about its construction.
The Italian architect has won many awards for buildings such as the National Opera house Carlo Felice Theater or the theater he built which rises from the sea in Venice. Unfortunately, Aldo Rossi passed away in 1997 one year before this building was finished, and left many other projects in the works as well.
The bow shaped building reminiscent of a ship’s hull receives a lot of attention as a designer hotel by Aldo Rossi.
The interior of the designer hotel in Mojiko was done by Shigeru Uchida
Pictured above is the double room. The window framed in French style wood is inviting to the eye and looks over the Kanmon Strait and the ships passing by, and at night shows the beautiful night scene of Shimonoseki and the Kanmon Bridge.
The subtle design of the guest rooms earned Shigeru Uchida his first Medal with Purple Ribbon for interior design. The desk with a similar curve to the building and the comfortable chair beg you to sit for hours. The writing desk with the TV on it and the refrigerator are all also designed with wood.
After relaxing in the bath big enough to fully extend your legs you can sit at this chair to enjoy the lit up port town and its gorgeous nightscape.
The view from the window is a luxurious one
The guest rooms at Mojiko Hotel have a choice of either the Kanmon Strait Ocean View or the Mojiko Retro Town View.
Both have their appeal but we recommend the Kanmon Strait view with the Kanmon Bridge lit up and Shimonoseki on the far shore. The picture above is from the room at about 10pm, and is a luxurious view with no obstructions. It is unfortunate that we can’t show you the whole view without a panoramic angle, but you can see the large Ferris wheel that has just opened in Shimonoseki year round.
In the winter the opposite side with the town view would be enjoyable for its Christmas and New Year illuminations as well.
The breakfast buffet where you can taste all of Mojiko
Although most would imagine a western meal for breakfast when hearing the term designer hotel, you would be surprised to find a plethora of dishes from the surrounding area.
The morning grilled fish is a dried fugu. They serve the best tasting fish of that season. Of course you can fill your bowl with the spiced cod roe mentaiko as much as you wish. They even serve the Mojiko delicacy Baked Curry. The Mojiko Hotel’s Baked Curry is highly esteemed winning many awards at different curry festivals and being featured in many media outlets. They sell it as a gift but it is best eaten as a part of breakfast. You can feast on many other local delicacies such as Hakata Udon or Fukuoka’s Chikuzenni Stew, or local Satsumaage, or Nakatsu Fried Chicken and many countless others.
The breakfast buffet is served at Main Dining Portone, a space fit for a designer hotel with large windows from floor to ceiling. For drinks you can have fresh banana milk, or rosé wine while enjoying the view of either the port or the town from the large windows.
Explore Mojiko Retro with the Mojiko Hotel as a center point
The western style building of the Osaka Shosen office stands right in front of the Mojiko Hotel. Built in 1917 and still retaining that Taisho Period retro look, the building was originally the waiting room for the Continental Passage and was once a bustling area.
At first glance it looks as if it’s built in brick but it is really a wood building with orange tiles, and the tower atop it was then a light house.
These kinds of historic buildings surround the hotel, and many you can take a look inside to feel the atmosphere from back then.
After checking out of the modern designed designer hotel, exploring the historic buildings around it lends an interesting contrast to your trip.
The designer hotel Mojiko Hotel
In every room a copy of a book of renderings and sketches by Aldo Rossi is kept in the desk.
One step into the entrance of the building you will be in a high vaulted ceiling room with a set of stairs. The second floor landing of these stairs is the “crossroads” and heart of the hotel.
In front is the shrine gate like entrance to the restaurant, to the left is the check in counter. The black and white grid stone floor is called the Genova Floor, and chairs at the reception and the bar are shaped in an M for Mojiko. It is really a charming hotel worthy of being called a designer hotel with every part of this hotel infused with the design concept of the architect.
History
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