Banana Man Statue
landmark
Small bronze statue commemorating Mojiko's role as the entry port for Japan's first imported bananas in 1908.
A small bronze statue at Mojiko Station's harbor exit commemorating the port's history as the landing point for Japan's first imported Taiwanese bananas in 1908. The character was created from the city's tradition of "banana tatakiuri" — the rapid-fire street auctions where dock vendors sold off browning bananas at the end of each day, accompanied by elaborate verbal patter that became a recognized form of street performance. Worth a two-minute stop on the walk between the station and Kaikyō Plaza. The statue's pedestal has placards explaining the auction tradition in Japanese and English.
Banana tatakiuri performances happen at Kaikyō Plaza on weekends around 1 PM, weather permitting; the schedule is posted at the tourist info center inside Mojikō Station.
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