Kanmon

Kanmon, short for Kanmon Straits (Kanmon Kaikyō), is the strait that separates the islands of Honshu and Kyushu in western Japan. It lies between Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the Mojiko district of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. The Kanmon Straits connect the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan and serve as a major maritime passage for both international trade and domestic traffic.

Geographically, the strait comprises two channels: the Shimonoseki Strait to the west and the Moji Strait to the east. Together they stretch for several kilometers, forming a busy and variable waterway with strong currents and navigational considerations for large vessels entering or leaving the Inland Sea and the northbound Sea of Japan.

Transportation across the strait is provided by major crossings, including the Kanmon Bridge and the Kanmon Tunnel. The bridge is a suspension structure linking Shimonoseki and Mojiko, while the tunnel runs beneath the strait to carry road and rail traffic. The area around the straits includes important ports and urban districts on both sides, and it remains a key node in regional commerce and logistics.

Historical significance is prominent as well. The Kanmon Straits have long been a gateway for cultural and economic exchange, and they were the site of naval action during World War II, notably in late 1945 during the Battle of the Kanmon Straits. Since the postwar period, infrastructure improvements have strengthened its role as a critical choke point and transportation corridor.

The name Kanmon combines elements referring to a barrier or gate, reflecting its historical function as a gateway between Honshu and Kyushu. The Mojiko and Shimonoseki areas are known for tourism, seafood markets, and historic districts that overlook the straits.