Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO

Special Exhibition | August 4, 2026

The building's unique exterior design seamlessly blends Kushiro's natural environment with man-made structures, offering completely different views depending on the angle from which you see it. Adjacent to the building is the glass-enclosed "Botanical Garden Dome (EGG)," which represents the Ainu fort ruins located in the city, commonly known as "Osonae-yama."
The exterior is designed to evoke the streetscape of a port town and ships floating on the sea. At night, the building is illuminated, clearly highlighting its outline and allowing you to appreciate its unique design even more.
The design features a red-crowned crane with its wings spread wide, inspired by the natural scenery of Kushiro. It also incorporates elements of cranes, a motif unique to this port town.

Postmodern architecture that incorporates the context of a port town.

This complex, located in the eastern port area of Kushiro Port in Kushiro City, Hokkaido, houses commercial and public facilities. Kushiro Port, facing the Pacific coast, is a crucial import hub for Japan. The design was undertaken by Kiko Mozuna, a leading figure in Japanese postmodern architecture. Born in Kushiro and having left behind numerous architectural works in the surrounding area, Mozuna drew inspiration from the urban structure of the port town. The exterior abstracts the streetscape, while the interior abstracts three hills and slopes, creating the facility as a small town. The use of open spaces between floors, unobstructed views, and a circular flow incorporates the feeling of ascending a hill. It was the first project to utilize the Private Sector Participation Law enacted in 1986 and a pioneer in Japanese waterfront development. It's also noteworthy that after the Great East Japan Earthquake, reconstruction and disaster prevention measures were carried out, transforming it into a disaster evacuation facility.

Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO
・Architect : Kiko Mozuna, Hokkaido Nikken Sekkei
・Location : 2-4 Nishikicho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido
・Use : Commercial and Tourist Complex
・Completed : 1989

Text: Yoshinao Yamada