🗺️ Old Osaka Shipping Company旧大阪商船

Built in 1917 (Taisho 6), this Western-style building was established as a branch of the shipping company "Osaka Shoten" in Moji. During the Taisho era, Moji Port served as a hub for continental shipping routes, with the first floor featuring a waiting room and the second floor housing offices, acting as a transfer station connecting the port to foreign destinations for public use. The building's exterior is composed of orange tiles and white granite, making it quite eye-catching. The roof is adorned with decorative railings and small windows, showcasing the most advanced architectural techniques of the Taisho era. The striking octagonal glass pavilion was the tallest building in Moji at the time and also functioned as a lighthouse at night. Today, it remains a landmark of Moji Port and is beloved by the public. This renowned building from the Taisho period has also been designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural asset. Currently, the first floor features a gallery dedicated to the works of "Masazo Watase," a manga artist and illustrator from Kitakyushu, along with an exhibition area showcasing works by local artists.

It is a Western-style building constructed by the Osaka Shipping Company, Moji branch. It is a well-known structure built using architectural techniques from the Taisho era. The eye-catching octagonal glass-enclosed tower also serves as a lighthouse. It is registered as a tangible cultural asset of the country. Currently, there is a gallery occupying the first floor.