&Otaru
A Hokkaido-designated tangible cultural property, this building will teach you the history of the golden days of herring fishing
Built at an impressive height overlooking the sea, the Otaru Nishin-Goten was built in Tomari village in 1897, and moved to Shukutsu in 1958. The two-floor construction covers a total area of 611 square metres, and at the height of herring fishing, a full 120 fishermen stayed here. To compare it to modern society, this would be something like a herring-fishing company combining its office, the CEO’s house, and employee dorms, and the result is designated a Hokkaido tangible cultural heritage. Built from luxurious lumber like local ash and Sakhalin fir, as well as hinoki cypress brought in from Aomori, its bulky and sturdy construction gives it great value as a structure already, but it also offers exhibits or herring fishing tools and photos, giving insight into a part of Hokkaido’s history.
Otaru City Nishin-Goten (Herring Mansion)
- 【Address】3-chōme-228 Shukutsu，Otaru
- 【Business Hours】Early April to late November 9 AM-5 PM (-4PM after mid-October) Closed during winter * Check the official site for open days
- 【Parking Lot】Available
- 【Official website】https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020100900596/
- 【Contact Us】0134-22-1038
- 【Map Code】493 842 219*16