Former Moji Mitsui Club
The Former Moji Mitsui Club’s lavish design embodies Moji’s prosperity in the first decades of the twentieth century. The club was built by the trading company Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and completed in 1921. The following year, it hosted renowned physicist Albert Einstein (1879–1955) during his tour of the country.
The building’s exterior reflects the strong European influence in Japan at the time. The exposed timber, slate roof, and stippled mortar all evoke German design, and the asymmetry of the windows is atypical in Japanese architecture. The club’s first-floor sitting room and parlor are furnished in an Art Deco style, as seen in the ceiling reliefs, marble fireplace, and decorative mantelpiece.
Einstein Memorial Room
Albert Einstein and his wife Elsa (1876–1936) used the club’s second-floor guesthouse for five days at the end of their 43-day tour of the country. The sole Western suite has been restored to appear as it did during the couple’s stay, including their too-short twin beds and lavishly tiled bathroom.
Hayashi Fumiko Memorial
The second floor also has rooms dedicated to Moji-born author Hayashi Fumiko (1903–1951). Its exhibits include memorabilia from throughout her life, such as early editions of her novels, personal correspondences, and a 1932 travel diary written in Paris. There are also posters from film adaptations of her work and an exhibit centered around her personal workspace.