You can learn about the history, culture, and nature of the Kanmon Straits, but it’s also a museum like a game center that both adults and children can enjoy.

The Kanmon Strait Museum is a hands-on tourist facility located in Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, an 8 minute-walk from JR Mojiko Station, where visitors can enjoy the entire Kanmon Straits. The museum introduces the history, culture, and nature of the Kanmon Straits through visual and interactive experiences.

The five-story Kanmon Strait Museum is divided into a paid zone and a free zone; the observation deck on the 5th floor is free of charge, and the Promenade Deck (free of charge) on the 4th floor is reminiscent of the decks of luxury cruise ships in the Taisho and Showa eras (early 20th century). The reception desk for the exhibition zone, which charges a fee, is on the 4th floor. From the 4th floor, visitors descend a ramp to the lower floors to view the exhibits. In the atrium between the 4th floor and the 2nd floor, there is the “Strait Atrium,” where visitors can enjoy powerful images and an interactive experience linked to the images on a giant 18m x 9m sail screen.

On the 3rd floor, the “Strait Historical Corridor” provides visitors with an overview of the history of the Kanmon Straits from ancient times to the modern era, with 10 famous puppet artists recreating historical scenes set in the straits through puppet art, including the Battle of Dannoura, the Duel at Ganryujima Island, and the Battle of Bakan.

In the “Strait Experience Zone” on the second floor, there are booths where visitors can experience and learn through game-like activities, such as a ship-handling simulator and a container crane operation simulator. There is also the “Strait Children’s Plaza,” a 10-meter-high space covered with net playground equipment.

In addition, on the second floor, there is also the Mojiko Banana Museum, which is free to enter and displays the roots of the Mojiko Banana no Tatakiuri (Banana Auction), nostalgic local materials, a life-size panel of the banana fairy “Banana Princess Luna” designed by popular Kitakyushu city-born illustrator Shiitake. Visitors can also watch a video of the story of the mysterious encounter between Banana Princess Luna and Moji Ward’s mascot character, Jimo. In the reference room, visitors can try their hand at selling bananas as a joke and enjoy taking commemorative photos with Jimo and Bananaman’s the Face Cutout Board.

The first floor is a free zone where visitors can enjoy taking commemorative photos of Moji Port‘s streets “Strait Retro Street” in the Taisho era (1912-1926). The Taisho era was characterized by an exotic atmosphere with a mix of Japanese and Western cultures, allowing visitors to experience Mojiko (Moji Port) as it was in bygone days.

Access to Kanmon Strait Museum

It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Haneda Airport to Kitakyushu Airport. It takes about 35 minutes by Nishitetsu Bus from Kitakyushu Airport to JR Kokura Station.

It takes about 15 minutes by Kagoshima Main Line (bound for Mojiko Station) from JR Kokura Station to JR Mojiko Station. 10 minute-walk from JR Mojiko Station.

It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes by Shinkansen from JR Shin-Osaka Station to JR Kokura Station.