Mojikō Retro Observation Room
Take the elevator to the thirty-first floor of Mojikō Retro High Mart for a spectacular 270-degree view of Moji Port and the ceaseless maritime activity of the Kanmon Strait below. Powerful digital telescopes, capable of up to 100-times magnification, can be used to spot landmarks on the opposite side of the strait, such as Ganryūjima Island, where the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (d. 1645) fought a famous duel with local sword master Sasaki Kojirō (dates unknown).
Just before sunset, the observation room’s lights are dimmed to a gentle orange, and the city takes on a relaxed air as its rhythms slow and the waves lap against the harbor walls. Don’t miss the nighttime view, which has been designated a “Night View Heritage of Japan.” The café, also on this top floor, is a popular spot for early evening drinks or a romantic date.
Mojikō Retro High Mart towers over Moji Port at a height of 103 meters. This glass-clad residential skyscraper was completed in 1999. It was designed by architect Kurokawa Kishō (1934–2007), who first achieved renown for the Nakagin Capsule Tower Building in Tokyo (completed 1972) and helped found Japan’s Metabolism architectural movement.