Kokura Station Is Almost Too Cool
A View from SAINTcity, the Former Sogo Department Store
Right in front of this striking station stands a large commercial building called SAINTcity.
This building originally operated as Kokura Sogo, a department store, but after the store closed and went through various twists and turns, it is now run as a mixed-use complex with retail tenants and offices.
As you might expect from a Kokura Sogo department store that opened in 1993, the escalators come in double banks.
The grand elevator hall, finished with marble, was still intact as well.
On the upper floors, there is an atrium with a waterfall, and the space opens up into a lavish, bubble-era interior featuring no fewer than four spiral escalators.
However, when I visited, it was being used as an early voting site for the election, so I could hardly look around. It was disappointing, but there was nothing to be done, so I at least made sure to ride the spiral escalator.
From SAINTcity’s rest area, I could take in a full view of Kokura Station,
and from here I could also watch the monorail entering the station building.
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